Bruce Campney

Bruce was born in Spirit Lake, Iowa, on July 12, 1959. He graduated from Spencer High School in 1977. He earned a Bachelor of Science in the first graduating class of Computer Engineering from Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa. He worked as a computer engineer and software developer beginning at Fisher Controls in Marshalltown, Iowa, in 1981. He moved to Austin, Texas, and continued his work with Texas Instruments before retiring from Emerson Electric. Bruce married Janice Metcalf in Santa Fe, New Mexico, in 2000. He spent many joyful days taking nature walks and going on family outings in Austin.

Bruce was an active member of Williamson County Astronomy Club, where he enthusiastically followed telescope developments and organized star parties. He is known for his mentorship of younger people, and his willingness to teach people about their own interests while guiding them to learn about their own passions. Bruce enjoyed photography and often sent pictures of sunsets and his dog to his brothers and friends. Over the years, Bruce and Janice fostered numerous animals for the local animal shelter. Bruce enjoyed new technology and learning about advancements in computers. He enjoyed bicycling and spending time outside. He will be remembered for how willing he was to help people around him and how he would try to solve what was wrong. Bruce has always sought knowledge, but was also curious about more than just facts and constellations. He wanted to learn about life and finding joy. He was fascinated by the wonder of the human spirit and the true meaning of the human experience. He will be deeply missed by many friends and family members.

Bruce is survived by his wife, Janice; son, Jeff (Maria) Shaw, and their children Enrique and Gianna; daughter Sherrise (Mike) Palmer and their children James and Davis; mother, Lola Campney; brother DJ Campney and his children Nick, Amanda, and Andy; brother Owen (Mary) Campney and their children Sara and Amy; sister Nancy Campney and children Suzie, Patricia, and Peter. He was preceded in death by his father, Mark Campney.

Services will be held at Cook-Walden Funeral Home at 6100 N. Lamar Blvd in Austin on Sunday, December 10, 2023 at 2:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, the family would be honored for donations to be made in Bruce’s name to DarkSky International, which works to protect and restore the beauty of the night sky for generations to come.