Bruce Edward “Boomer” Byington
February 7, 1951 - May 21, 2022
In honor of the husband, father, brother, son, friend, leader, teacher, colleague and man that he was and always will be to all that he loved and loved him.
To a life well lived but gone too soon.
Bruce was born in Jackson, Mississippi, on February 7th, 1951. He graduated from Fairmont West High School in Dayton, Ohio and he received a degree in Mechanical Engineering from Georgia Tech University. He was a proud Ramblin’ Wreck from Georgia Tech and remained connected to his alma mater throughout his life.
Bruce spent the first 17 years of his career in Houston, Texas, before moving to Colorado with his family in his early 40’s. In Colorado Springs, he started his 26 year career at Center for Creative Leadership, Inc. (CCL). He retired from CCL as the Vice President of the Americas in 2017. Being a man who loved a good challenge, he quickly came out of retirement when he was offered the position of Chief Impact Officer at the Colorado Health Foundation. He spent nearly 5 years in the role, retiring in January of 2022.
Bruce had a lifelong love for the mountains, the big skies of the West, and the rivers where he spent countless hours fly fishing. In 2021 he purchased a cabin (he lovingly named BB's Getaway) in Howard, Colorado where he looked forward to spending many years "standing in a river waving a stick". He was fortunate to spend many days in what would be his final year in his new found home of Howard and the greater Upper Arkansas River valley.
To his cherished wife and bride, whom he married on August 30th, 1975, he was a best friend, rock, adventure partner, concert companion, confidant and loving partner in life. She was proud to call him husband for 47 years. To his three sons, he was a friend, mentor, role model, guide, steady presence, unending well of support and fishing guru. They will forever find joy and pride in calling him dad. He was so many things to his brothers, parents, friends, colleagues and community, but more than anything, he was all that was Bruce.
Bruce will be profoundly missed by his family and friends but they are left with thousands of memories of his abundant presence, camping in incredible places, fly fishing in the most beautiful rivers, countless soccer matches, traveling around the world, and drinking “Conrads” at the bar of Bruces’s favorite local spot, Salsa on the Rocks. They will forever miss his fierce loyalty, loving nature, sense of adventure, goofy and curious spirit, booming voice, infectious laughter, and endless “teachable moments.”
Celebration of Life
We invite you to join us in celebrating the life of Bruce in a place that meant so much to him, the Center for Creative Leadership. We will have a time to celebrate and share, a short service, followed by the reception with light food and drink. We kindly ask that you use the link below to RSVP for food and beverage planning purposes.
Location
Center for Creative Leadership
850 Leader Way, Colorado Springs, CO 80905
Date and Time
Friday, July 8th, 2022
We will welcome guests at 3pm with a service to start promptly at 3:30pm. Reception to follow the service.
-
Memories & Stories
Bruce impacted us all in many different ways. We would love to have you share a picture, video, story or memory that you shared with Bruce or that reminds you of him. We’ll be collecting these memories over the coming weeks and will share all the memories with family and friends as a book and keepsake. Please click on the link below to share your Bruce moment with us.
In his memory.
Bruce was deeply connected in his community and throughout his life he found ways to contribute to many causes. In lieu of flowers or gifts, we ask that you consider making a contribution to one of the causes he cared deeply for in his honor.
Project Angel Heart addresses a major challenge for Coloradans who are ill: getting the nutrition they need to get stronger, heal, and remain at home. Many are too sick to get to the grocery store or unable to cook for themselves. Others find they have to choose whether to buy food or medication to make ends meet.
Street Fraternity seeks to provide a place of brotherhood and personal growth for urban young men. Young men at the critical ages of 14-25 in the East Colfax neighborhoods of Denver and Aurora are faced with overwhelming obstacles to safety, independence, and community connection. Barriers include PTSD, lack of support at home and school, language, poverty, crime, a generally hostile environment, and in many cases, a lack of positive male role models. Street Fraternity works to provide an alternative pathway to success for the young men of our Denver community.
