Bruce Gene Waddingham, 69, of Rutherfordton, NC went to his heavenly home on March 6, 2015 after a courageous battle with kidney failure, his loving family by his side.
A native Iowan, Bruce was born October 6, 1945 to the late John William and Reva Elder Waddingham. In 1963, he graduated from Klemme High School, and then received his Associates of Arts Degree from North Iowa Area Community College. In 1968 he received his Bachelor's Degree from the University of Northern Iowa. In 1976 he received his Master's Degree in Higher Education from Iowa State University. He worked at Northeast Iowa Technical Institute in Peosta, Iowa as Campus Coordinator, and in 1982 became Dean of Instructional Services in Sheldon, Iowa. In 1988, Bruce became Dean of Applied Sciences and Technology at Isothermal Community College until his retirement in 2006; in this role he was instrumental in forming the Foothills Nursing Consortium.
Bruce was very active in the communities where he lived, receiving many honors for his service, including Jaycees Man of the Year and Key Man Award, Duke Energy Citizenship and Service Award, Rutherford County Volunteer of the Year, and Individual Volunteer of the Year Award. He enjoyed serving on the Executive Committee and Board of Directors for the Rutherford Chamber of Commerce, Rails to Trails Committee, Economic Development of 100, Habitat for Humanity, Habitat ReStore, Kiwanis, the Performing Arts Center, Emmaus, and First United Methodist Church of Rutherfordton. He was known as "Mr. Restore" after establishing the Habitat ReStore in Forest City.
He was preceded in death by his sister, Ellen, and his brother, David. He is survived by his wife, Cheryl Paulson Waddingham, his daughter, Laura Delbrugge and her husband, Mark Staszkiewicz, their children Alex, Eric, and Madison of Indiana PA, and his son, Jason Waddingham of Charlotte, NC; three brothers, Bill Waddingham (and wife Rosalie), Tom Waddingham, and Ray Waddingham, as well as sister-in-law Marie Waddingham, all of Iowa.
The family will receive friends at Crowe's Mortuary in Rutherfordton, NC, 118 U.S Highway 74A, from 6 to 8 p.m. on Monday, March 9. A celebration of life service will be held at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, March 10 at First United Methodist Church, 264 North Main Street, Rutherfordton, NC. The family will also receive friends at the church following the service. Interment will be in Garner, Iowa.
Memorials may be made to Habitat ReStore/ Habitat for Humanity, 686 West Main Street, Forest City, NC, or the Outreach Mission Fund at First United Methodist Church, 264 North Main Street, Rutherfordton, NC 28139.