Bruce Allen Greif

Date of birth  - April 11, 1946

Date of death  - December 30, 2023

Bruce Allen Greif was born April 11, 1946, in Portland at St. Vincent Hospital to John and Marjorie Greif. Bruce was the youngest of four boys--John, Lee, Richard. Bruce grew up in Mulino, attended Mulino Grade School and Molalla High School graduating with the class of 1964.

Bruce played football, was on the wrestling team, and was active in FFA. Even when he was a kid, Bruce was always doing something. At 14 he bought a tractor and went to work tilling for all the neighbors in Mulino. Bruce met his future wife, Dorothy Rhoades, the middle of his sophomore year in high school. They dated, fell in love and married--twice. Dorothy heard on the radio that if they weren’t married by August 26, 1965, Bruce would have to report immediately for duty in the United States Navy. Because Bruce was marrying a very smart girl with a very smart mom, they went to Gladys Olsen, the Justice of the Peace in Molalla, and got married that day. Bruce’s enlistment was delayed, and they were able to have their formal wedding, which was set for September 3, 1965. They celebrated 58 wonderful and happy years together.

Bruce was stationed in San Diego naval base for basic training. He studied hard and passed the tests to become a submariner, and was then sent to New London, Connecticut for additional sub training. His career path called for another move to Portsmouth, New Hampshire where he was stationed on the USS Albacore as an electrician. He made lifelong friends while stationed there. Over the coming years, they kept in touch by visiting and participating in many family and holiday events with those friends.

In November 1969 Bruce was honorably discharged from the United States Navy and they headed back to Molalla. They were happy to be back and created a home where on January 31, 1970, they welcomed their son Eric.

Eric and his dad bonded over Star Wars, Battle Star Galactica, Planet of the Apes, and many other movies. Bruce and Eric were very close, and Bruce was extremely proud of his son.

Bruce was always busy, rarely sitting down for very long, and decided to become an electrician. His electrical apprenticeship started in 1970. He finished his 4-year apprenticeship in 1974 as a journeyman electrician and joined Local 48 IBEW. Bruce worked in many locations during the 1980’s when jobs were scarce in Oregon. He first went to California for periods of time to work at the Diablo power plant returning home in between jobs. He also worked at the Trojan Nuclear Power Plant off and on returning to Oregon fulltime in 1985 as the economy, job situation, and the need for electricians improved.

When Eric married Susan, he chose his friend Joe to be his best man, but he chose his dad to be one of his groomsmen! Bruce was incredibly proud and honored to be part of the wedding party and had a wonderful day!

Bruce and Dorothy lived in the Portland area since the 1970’s, but moved to Camas, Washington 14 years ago to be closer to Eric, Susan and the grandchildren. Before he retired Bruce also built houses. Dorothy and Bruce owned and operated a video store which kept everyone busy, including Eric, while he was growing up. When Eric graduated from college his plans didn’t include working in a video store, so Bruce and Dorothy liquidated and sold the store.

In retirement Bruce loved to bowl, shoot skeet with high school classmates, and was an avid golfer. He was also an avid hunter and went every year with his friends Big Al, Collin and his brother Richard.

Over the years, Dorothy and Bruce traveled to many places. They loved Maui. They travelled to the east for submarine Navy buddy reunions. Other destinations included Scotland, trips to California, Bahamas, Belize, Alaska (3 times) and enjoyed a cruise through the Panama Canal.

Bruce was frugal, yet very generous! He felt it was important for Eric to further his education and attend college! He also put money aside for his grandsons, Scott and Jack, to go to college.

Bruce Allen Greif lived a good life, and he died peacefully on December 30, 2023. He will be missed by his family, and a huge number of friends from all walks of his life.

“Open your eyes, and see all that you can see, love with your whole heart and don’t hold back,” were words Bruce lived by and encouraged family and friends to do the same.

Bruce was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, John (Class of 1957), and Lee (Class of 1959). A memorial celebration of Bruce’s life was held at Arrowhead Golf Course April 13, 2024.