Robert "Bruce" Brevitz

Robert Bruce Brevitz died peacefully on Tuesday, January 23, 2024.

“Bruce” was born on November 16, 1928, to Robert and Helen (née Mainone) Brevitz and was the oldest of their two children. He graduated from Battle Creek Central High School in 1946. While there he was named captain of both the school’s football and tennis teams. Following high school, he continued his education at Michigan State University’s School of Forestry, where he played tennis on the University’s tennis team, and was a member of ROTC. In 1950, Bruce graduated from MSU and was commissioned as an officer in the United States Army. Also, that year, he was united in marriage to Jane Elizabeth (née Graf) from Tomah, Wisconsin.

While in the army, Bruce was stationed in Korea during the war, serving as a platoon commander. During this time, he earned both the Combat Infantry Badge and the Bronze Star. When Bruce returned to the states, he and Jane settled in Battle Creek, where he joined his father in business at the Michigan Shade Tree Company. Subsequently, he also founded the Brevitz Equipment Company and the Brevitz Leasing Company.

Bruce and Jane enjoyed a wonderful marriage of 46 years. Together they raised their family of three daughters and a son, spending countless hours at swimming meets, tennis tournaments, and ice hockey rinks. They were loving, devoted parents who took pride in their children’s accomplishments and always enjoyed surrounding themselves with family. When not busy with family events, Bruce found time to serve his community as a Battle Creek City Commissioner and as a Rotarian, eventually being voted President of the Battle Creek chapter.

Following Jane’s death, Bruce married Frances “Franny” Jane Shull. Bruce had known Franny and her late husband Jay ever since they went to grade school together. Theirs was also a beautiful 20-year marriage that included extensive travel, making new friends and spending time at their Kalkaska cabin. Franny preceded Bruce in death on January 2, 2022.

Surviving Bruce are his three daughters, Deborah (Gary) Priestap, Susan (Don) Beck, Rebecca (Jerry) Corr, son Robert Bruce (Linda) Brevitz Jr., stepsons Jeff (Sally) Shull, John (Melinda) Shull, five grandchildren, eleven step-grandchildren, and numerous great grandchildren. Bruce was preceded in death by two cherished family members: his brother, John (March 28, 2013) and his dear cousin, Robert F. Mainone (February 17, 2015).

Visitation will occur at the Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care in Battle Creek on Friday, February 2nd from 5:00 to 7:30 p.m., with a celebration of Bruce’s life taking place at the funeral home on Saturday, February 3rd beginning at 10:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the World War II Memorial Museum, 945 Magazine Street, New Orleans, LA 70130 (nationalww2museum.org) or the Robert Brevitz MSU Scholarship at, Michigan Forestry & Park Association Inc.,P.O.Box 225 Okemos, MI 48805 or (michiganforestryandparkassoc@gmail.com) Personal messages for Bruce’s family may be shared at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.