Bruce Nathaniel Dani, age 83 of Champaign, IL went home to be with the Lord at 7:07 p.m., Tuesday, November 9, 2021 at his home in Champaign, surrounded by family.
Bruce’s faith and hope in Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior was the cornerstone of his life. He put his faith to work in his life which will be celebrated on Saturday December 4, 2021 at 1 p.m. at his home church, St. John Lutheran in Champaign. Interment will occur in Sugarbush, Wisconsin at Ruckdashel Cemetery, December 6, 2021 at 11 a.m.
Bruce was born in Sugarbush, WI on May 12, 1938 at home, loving son of Vallabhdas and Fern Dani. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife Eleanor; parents, Vallabhdas and Fern; sisters, Joann, Gayle and Diana. He is survived by brother Brian Dani, son Philip and wife Jane Dani, daughter Gisela and husband David Hancock, son David and wife Monica Dani, grandchildren: Bethany and husband Phillip Rarig, Brandy and husband Stefan Sova, Paige, Ryan, Allison, Jessica and husband Tim Deffenbaugh, Ashley, Alex and Sarah, great-grandchildren: Olivia, Riley, Tyler, Blake, Cole, Aleksander, Everitt, Madeleine, George and many nieces and nephews whom he loved and cherished.
Bruce lived in Sugarbush, WI until the family moved to El Centro, CA. He graduated from Central Union H.S. in 1957 where he was active in track. Bruce was active in the Walther League Lutheran Youth Association which is how he met his beloved wife Eleanor Augusta (Schreiber). They were married July 20, 1958. Bruce served Honorably in the U.S. Army from 1960 to 1963, in the 57th Artillery, working with the Nike Hercules Anti-Aircraft Missile Unit being stationed in California and Germany. Bruce and Eleanor traveled extensively around Europe while he was stationed there. After the military, Bruce graduated from U of I with a BS in Civil Engineering in 1966. Bruce took his first engineering job in Los Angeles, CA living in Rosemead, Costa Mesa, and then on to Scottsdale, AZ for a time. Accepting an engineering job at Sverdrup and Parcel in St. Louis, MO the family lived in Black Jack. From there they moved to Tucson, AZ starting his own firm, Dani Engineering. Then in San Diego, CA, Bruce worked extensively for the state of California after the Northridge earthquake inspecting building and engineering fixes. He also wrote and graded the written portion of the exam for Structural Engineers to receive their Seismic License for the State of California. During Bruce’s career, he held Civil & Structural Engineering Licenses in several states, including California, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Colorado, Missouri, Nebraska, and Nevada. While living in San Diego they volunteered with Lutheran Border Concern Ministries where he designed and built over 22 churches in Mexico. Bruce and Eleanor volunteered with the Monte Vista H.S. marching band by raising money through various fundraisers and donations including a used trailer for the band to transport their instruments. Bruce also volunteered to tow the band trailer to competitions, while supporting his son David in the band. They also were instrumental in the planning and hosting of Monte Vista’s first marching band competition. After years in Spring Valley, CA they moved back to Champaign. While in Champaign, Bruce and Eleanor volunteered with the Central H.S. band, also towing their band trailer to competitions, while supporting their grandchildren in marching band. Bruce and Eleanor were proud volunteer Petal Pushers and built and decorated the Lutheran Hour Float and many other floats for 12 years, even becoming Crew Chief for the world-famous Rose Parade where he won various awards every year. Each year he attended or watched the parade for the entirety of his life.
A graveside service will be held for Bruce on Monday, Dec. 6, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. at Ruckdashel Cemetery in Lebanon, Wisconsin.
Memorial contributions can be made to St. John Lutheran Church, Champaign, IL.