Bruce E Egger

Bruce Emil Egger, formerly of Prineville, went to be with the Lord on April 8 in Portland, surrounded by his children. He was 93. Bruce lived in Prineville with his wife, Leora, for over 25 years.

Bruce was born to Emil and Alice Egger on May 9, 1923 in Middleton, Idaho. His sister Bonnie joined the family in 1925. He graduated from McCall High School in McCall, Idaho in 1942.

He was inducted into the United States Army in January of 1943 and fought on the front lines in France and Germany in G Company, 328^th Regiment, 26^th INF during World War II. He was discharged as a SSG in 1946. He received a Bronze Star and other awards for the European campaign for his service.

He worked as a smokejumper through college and graduated from the University of Idaho with a degree in forestry in 1951. He moved to Rager Ranger Station, 70 miles from Prineville, in 1954, where he met Leora Houston, who was born and raised in Prineville. They married on Oct. 8, 1955.

He served as district ranger on the Fremont National Forest, stationed in Bly, Ore. from 1960 to 1968. He was transferred to the Umatilla National Forest, stationed in Pomeroy, Wash. in 1968. He retired from the U.S. Forest Service in 1979; he and Leora then moved to Prineville in 1980, where she continued to teach elementary school.

During the 1980s, Bruce completed a memoir of his experience during WW II for his children. In 1992, this work was published as G Company’s War.

He is survived by his four children, Kathy (Ken) Fink, Kelvin Egger, Laurie Snyder and Leslie (Peter) Gould; his nine grandchildren; and his two great-grandchildren.

Bruce was predeceased by his parents; his sister, Bonnie Egbert; his wife, Leora; and his son-in-law, Brian Snyder.

Bruce’s funeral service will be held Friday, April 21 at 1 p.m. at the First Baptist Church in Prineville. Burial will follow at 2 p.m. at the Juniper Haven Cemetery. Memorial contributions in Bruce’s name may be mailed to Compassion International/Colorado Springs, CO 80997 or made to Compassion International on-line.

Military Honors at Graveside

 Service Information