Bruce L. LeClaire

Bruce L. LeClaire, son, brother, friend, pilot, and skier, died June 1, 2011 in Red Lodge, where he has resided the past two years. Bruce was born to Bob and Rachel LeClaire November 7, 1960, in Billings, MT. Bruce attended Billings Schools, Embry Riddle Aeronautical Institute and Montana State University, graduating with a BA in Business Administration, with honors.

Bruce worked at the Rex Restaurant while learning to fly. He was then a bush pilot in Alaska for one year, flew for Big Sky Airlines for 2 years, and flew for American Airlines for the past 23 years.

Bruce is survived by his mother Rachel Birkenbuel of Billings; brother Kirk (Elaine) LaClaire Rodeo, CA; step-brother Dennis Birkenbuel of Cascade, MT; aunts Ruth Talcott of San Marco, CA, Pat Wallace of Missoula; uncle Larry LeClaire of Escondido, CA, Harry Birkenbuel of Great Falls, MT; and special friends Allison and Ashton Gilley of Red Lodge. Bruce also had many, many friends including his dogs Taubet and Bodhi. Bruce married Meg Shibata of Salt Lake City, UT in June of 2000, they later divorced.

Bruce loved flying, hang gliding, skiing, mountain biking, running, and his dogs.

Cremation has taken place. Memorial Services will be held at 11:00 A.M., Wednesday, June 8, at Billings Flying Service in the hanger. (To get to the hanger, go South on Blue Creek Road, right on Hillcrest Road, and right on Stratton.)

Memorials may be made to the Silver Run Ski Education Foundation, P.O. Box 1871, Red Lodge, MT 59068, Beartooth Humane Alliance, P.O. Box 2333, Red Lodge, MT 59068., or Eagle Mount, 305 Ski Run Road, Red Lodge, MT 59068.

Remembrances

I met Bruce years ago while flying with American Airlines. I have enjoyed flying with him and spoke to him several weeks ago. He was a kind and gentle individual and a good man. He will be missed.

Please accept my condolences
Kind Regards
Jim Roman

You will be missed Bruce.
F/O Jim Dowd

will miss flying with you Bruce! Such great tales of living your live the way you wanted and dreamed! Good on you brother!
Such a loss. I am proud to have known and worked with you.

Gil Gehle
AA Pilot

Dear Miss LeClaire,
Bruce was great to fly with. He was a 1st rate professional.
Best,
Marc Voit
777 FO

He will be dearly missed with us in the 777 cockpit going long distance.

I enjoyed flying with Bruce. He will be missed.

Ron Brown
AA

I grew up on Teton kitty corner across the street from Bruce. He had a quick mind and a good spirit. A nicer guy you wouldn't care to meet, as they say out in the sticks. I used to fly a lot as a passenger internationally, so I have some sense of the schedule he kept. I always felt sorry that he had such short layovers compared to mine.

Bruce's brother touched on some history during the ceremony. In addition to skiing, he was quite an ice skater. He used to take advantage of the old ice rink at Vet's Park and go skating. He also was rather accomplished at kick-the-can. Last summer we threw a tennis racquet in his hand and he was respectable.

The night before the service after we had the hangar in order, I had a friend drop me off downtown. I went by the Rex where a number of us learned how to fold napkins, make salad, and other fine busboy skills from Bruce. I'm not sure why, but I needed to stop by there.

He texted me over Memorial Day weekend on my birthday with a picture of the snow in Red Lodge. I appreciated that. He did little things well and taken together, they are the measure of him.

I miss you my friend.

John Smoot (Shmooty to Bruce)
Friend since childhood

I was a DC10 FO on a normal trip. This particular trip was Bruce's first as a 10 flight engineer. A check engineer was along of course to make sure Bruce did it all the "AA way." During the trip Bruce was talking to the Check Airman about his back ground in aviation and mentioned BIG Sky Airlines. Upon hearing the words Big Sky I began saying Last names quite loud and looking strait forward. Names Like Duncan , Gans, Enebo, Holeshure, Prewee.The Captain thought I was nuts! Bruce finally leaned forward and said" did you fly for Big Sky?'
I said "yep" and we have remained friends ever since.

My sincerest condolences,

Mike Hickey
737 CA LAX

Bruce has been a friend from years back though I hadn’t seen him for years. High school Key Club days and memories. The Missoula gang and the Billings gang who never really agreed on viewpoints but nevertheless always had a mutual respect and friendship with one another. Bruce was and has always been a very thoughtful, kind-hearted human with whom I could easily pick up conversation after time gone by. A phone conversation from a few years ago was my last conversation with him. I kept track of him via Russ and he was often in my thoughts and prayers. He still is. Thank you, Bruce, for the friendship connection. I’m sorry I couldn’t join you guys at Woodbine in years gone by. Keep a campfire going in the meantime and a space available for the Missoula guy.

Michael Magone, Missoula

I was very saddened today to learn of Bruce’s passing. I flew with Bruce many years ago and always enjoyed his company. He was a kind, gentle guy, easy to talk with about many things and always a pleasure to fly with. My sincere condolences to his family and close friends. He will be missed.

Dave Pakiz
777 CA ORD
Retired

Dear Family of Bruce,

My thoughts are with you during this very sad time. I went to high school with Bruce and received this information from a classmate. I did not know him well but we did have a few fun times together with all of the wonderful friends of days past. It looks like you have a lot to be proud of him and his accomplishments. I did not realize the career path he took and how he got there. I had a brother in law that went to Embrey Riddle sp? in Arizona and another brother in law that flies for American. I may learn more about Bruce from them!

May peace be with all of you.
Kathy “Hennessy” Flodin