Bruce Berend

Surrounded by loved ones, Bruce Berend passed away peacefully at his home in beautiful Solana Beach, Calif., from complications related to Parkinson’s. Bruce was born in Fargo, N.D., to parents Michael and Connie. He enjoyed growing up in the 1950s—the music, the cars and, eventually, the girl.

Bruce met Mary Lou Mahar while attending North Dakota State University. Soon after, they were engaged and later married in Cavalier, N.D. Ready for adventure, Bruce went from ROTC at NDSU into the Army, which would take the couple to the east coast. As a First Lieutenant, he retired after two years of service. Bruce then accepted an opportunity to work for General Dynamics in NYC and was later transferred to the Pomona, Calif., division.

In 1967, their first son, Jeff, was born. After a visit to the south, they decided San Diego seemed like the right place to build their family and lives. They settled in Solana Beach in 1969. Two years later, their son Jason arrived.

While the fields of North Dakota and lakes of Minnesota were his first home, Bruce soon knew they would never leave California. He jogged the coastal streets and up and down the 134 concrete steps at Tide Park Beach regularly.

Bruce joined Science Applications Inc. in 1977, where he worked in human resources for 23 years and made many lifelong friends. In fact, one of Bruce’s superpowers was cultivating lifelong friendships and nurturing those relationships throughout the years. Bruce was active in his Solana Beach community, serving on committees and various initiatives.

Bruce enjoyed travel with his wife and family and many RV camping trips and reunions (aka ‘rebellions’) with cousins and extended family in Minnesota. But the Boundary Waters of Minnesota and Canada and keeping up with the Class of 1959 Fargo High had a special place in his heart. Golfing and pickle ball with friends was a highlight for Bruce—capped in his seventies by winning a Pickle Ball tournament in Detroit Lakes, MN, and scoring a hole-in-one while golfing with friends at Lomas Santa Fe just a few years ago.

Bruce leaves behind many close friends and neighbors, and a loving family, including wife, Mary, sons Jeff (Janet) and Jason, sister Bonnie (Al) Voegele, sister-in-law Karen Beaudine, grandchildren Rell, Ben and Gabe, and his nieces, nephews and cousins.

Interment at Mission San Luis Rey in Oceanside, Calif. A Celebration of Life memorial will take place Feb. 20, 2022, in Solana Beach. 

In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to the Friends of the Boundary Waters Wilderness.