Bruce W. Andre

    Bruce W. Andre, 82, a longtime resident of Fairfield, passed away on February 29, 2024, at the University of Iowa Medical Center Downtown in Iowa City surrounded by his wife, Portia, and family. 

     A celebration of Bruce's life will be held on Saturday, April 27, 2024, from 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. at the Fairfield Golf and Country Club in Fairfield, Iowa. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Iowa Foster and Adoptive Parents Association. 

    Bruce was born on September 26, 1941, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, to Wilbur and Louise (Hatfield) Andre. On August 21, 1965, he married Portia Gonzalez at the First United Methodist Church in Fairfield. 

     Bruce taught middle school social studies at the Cardinal School District for 36 years. Bruce was an active member of the Fairfield Area Community Theatre, where he played many roles over the years, including the King in Fairfield's production of The King and I. He was also an active member of the First United Methodist Church choir and the Masonic Lodge. Bruce enjoyed spending time with his family at their cabin in Wisconsin and watching his grandchildren participate in their activities. Bruce was also a long-time member of the Iowa Air National Guard, retiring after 27 years as a Senior Master Sergeant. 

     Those left to honor his memory include his wife, Portia; his children, Heidi Bowman of Fairfield and Mike Andre of Arlington Heights, Illinois; his grandchildren, Baylee, Brynna, Blair, Brittan, Abby, Kiley, and Brooke; his great-granddaughter, Jovie; and his brother, Rex (Virginia) Andre of Minnetonka, Minnesota. Bruce and Portia were also foster parents to 97 children over the years. 

     Bruce was preceded in death by his parents.