Ray Soelberg

BRUCE SOELBERG Click here to view Bruce's Video Tribute IDAHO FALLS, ID -- Sometime during the early morning hours of Friday, February 27th, 2009, our beloved brother, uncle, cousin and friend, R. Bruce Soelberg lost his lifelong battle with ill health and peacefully passed away at his home in Idaho Falls. He was seventy-five years old, born June 14, 1933 in Idaho Falls, Idaho. “Uncle Bruce,” as he was lovingly and affectionately known to his 38 nieces and nephews, and even his older siblings, was a lifelong bachelor, skilled and dedicated public servant, visionary farmer, astute businessman and skilled statesman. An army veteran and BYU graduate, he served on Congressional and Senatorial staffs in Washington DC in the early 1960's and subsequently was employed for 34 years in the Diplomatic Corps of the US State Department, serving in posts throughout the world. Bruce possessed a keen analytical mind that served him well throughout his life. He was accepted as a student at the prestigious George Washington University School of Law prior to his advancement through the ranks of State Department hierarchy and as the principal steward of family farmlands in Butte County, Idaho. He was equally comfortable with ambassadors and politicians as well as sheepherders and laborers. He was as much at home in Munich, Moscow, Bangkok, Helsinki, Lima and Cape Town as he was in Arco, Mackay, or Idaho Falls, Idaho. Bruce honored his family and savored the richness of his exposure to diverse peoples and cultures during his worldwide travels with the State Department. He earned the love and respect of many extraordinary people throughout the world. Bruce is survived by his brother, Dean (Mary) Soelberg, St. George, UT, and sisters Eileen McKinney Gardner, Idaho Falls, ID; Renee’ (Lloyd) Page, Idaho Falls, ID; Betty (Keith) Larsen, Rexburg, ID; and Marilyn (Dennis) Morrow, Indian Wells, CA. He was preceded in death by his parents, Earl and Exie Singley Soelberg and brothers Cornel and Winston. Funeral services will be at 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, March 4, 2009 at Idaho Falls LDS Woodruff First Ward, 1660-12th Street, with Bishop Lamar Densley officiating. The family will visit with friends on Tuesday evening from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Wood Funeral Home, 273 N. Ridge Avenue, and Wednesday from 12:00 p.m. until 12:45 p.m. prior to services at the church. Interment will be at Fielding Memorial Park. Military Rites will be performed by the Bonneville County Veterans Team and the Idaho Honor Guard. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations be made to the BYU-Idaho scholarship fund in the name of Earl and Exie Soelberg, 220 Kimball Bldg. Suite B, Rexburg, ID 83460-1655. ---------------------------------------------------- Condolences received online: Bill Scouten blscouten@wmconnect.com Sorry to hear of Bruce's passing but happy to hear he died peacefully at his home --- suffering and hardship make these times so much more painful! With our love and concern, Bill and Loretta Scouten Vaun & Joanne Bingham Marilyn and Family, We are so sorry to hear of Bruce's passing. We did know he had been in bad health for some time. We are in St. George, Utah, for the winter. Sincerely, Vaun & Jo Kristina Burnside I had just visited with Bruce and his lovely sisters last week when they came into where I worked and were doing some shopping. I hadnt seen Bruce in years and it was wonderful to visit with him. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and I am glad that I did get to visit with him on that day for he made me smile seeing him again. Mr. & Mrs. Lloyd Duffe Villanidia2000@yahoo.com Please accept our condolence. We were totally saddened to receive the news about Bruce here in Colombia, South America where I am retired. I am so thankful that we did have the opportunity to spend a most pleasant visit with Bruce in Idaho Falls last June. Bruce and I met for the first time in August of 1990 when I started working as a part time WAE Courier. I had been a professional Courier myself from 1959 to 1966. Bruce was one of the finest Supervisors I had the pleasure of working with! We keep in contact over the years. I have lost a great friend! Bill Dotson My condolences. Cora Der Koorkanian derkoork@myfairpoint.net Bruce was one of (George) my husband's best friends and colleagues for many years. I met Bruce for the first time about 35 years ago and he became part of our family. He will be missed. Cora Verda Mae Garner Verda_Garner@nps.gov Sorry to hear the lose of Bruce. Your family has always been close to my thoughts.