(Robert) Bruce Smale died peacefully at home on Tuesday, February 23. 2021. After a stroke in October, 2018, he was cared for at home by his family and a small army of home health care aides. .Bruce was born in Whittier, CA on February 8, 1942 to Milton, Sr. and Jill Smale. He was the baby brother to Milton, Jr. and Karen. When Bruce was 6, the family was transferred when his dad became superintendent of a refinery in Hilly, LA. He thrived growing up among the woods, fields, and pastures around Ruston, LA. Oh, the tales he would tell!! He graduated from Ruston High School in 1961. He served in the US Army from 1962-64. He married Carolyn Watts of Ruston in 1962. Their son, Michael was born at Fort Sill, OK in 1964. Their son, Alan, was born in Ruston in 1968. Bruce worked offshore for Standard of California for several years. Following a divorce, Bruce and the boys moved to Ventura to live with Grandma and Grandpa Smale. On the first day of school in September, 1974, Bruce dropped Alan off with his new first grade teacher, Ms. Signe Iseman and took Michael to his fifth grade class. In his own words, "The fifth grade teacher was married, so I went back to first grade." The rest, as they say, is history. Bruce and the boys proposed to Signe March 4, 1975 and they were married August 1, 1975. It was a great ride whether they were touring on their GoldWing, cruising, RVing or tootling around in the 1959 Studebaker Transtar pick-up. After 25 years, he retired as maintenance supervisor for Ventura Regional Sanitation District in June, 2001. He enjoyed singing in the church choirs of Ventura First United Methodist Church and Church of the Foothills. He was predeceased by his parents, his brother Milton Smale, MD, his sister Karen Burks, and his grandson, Adam. He is survived by Signe, Alan, and Michael (Niki Larrow). He thought his grandchildren were the best gift ever ~ Jacob (Nancy), Mike (Andrea), Wyatt (Morgan), Ben, Desiray, Ryan Elisabeth, Vaughan, and Morgan. His great-grandson, Arlo, will be having a little sister in May. As per his wishes, there will not be a service. Memorial donations may be made to Food Share of Ventura County 4156 Southbank Street, Oxnard, CA 93036 or a charity of your choice. Arrangements are under the direction of BOYKO & REARDON TELEGRAPH ROAD MORTUARY & CREMATION, 15 Teloma Drive, Ventura.