MADISON - Bruce Piddington, age 82, of Madison, passed away peacefully on Sunday, Jan. 31, 2022. He was born on April 21, 1939, the son of Margaret Gundlach and Percy Piddington.

After high school, in late 1959, Bruce attended UW Whitewater, where he met the love of his life, Janet Piddington, and they were married June 11, 1961. In her own words, from a sweet letter she written to him on his 59th birthday, “my first memory of you was with your James Dean haircut and navy turtleneck. It caught my attention, and I knew you were the one. You are my love, my partner and my strength.”

Bruce went on to become a teacher and taught for more than 30 years in the Madison Metropolitan School District. He was recognized with dozens of awards including, the Outstanding Service Award, Golden Apple Award, Distinguished Teacher of Teachers Award, and a Roland and Ruth Rockwell Award.

Bruce was one of those people who made friends everywhere he went. If you ran into Bruce at a coffee shop, you would have thought you were at a reunion. So many of his old students would always be there, sharing stories of their old teacher. Those relationships turned into friendships, for which he was so proud.

He was also a food lover. He could be spotted all around town checking out different restaurants and adding his own flavors. For those of you who didn’t know, Bruce loved his hot sauce so much that he would bring it with him wherever he went.

Bruce loved his family. So many great memories of going fishing and arrow-head hunting (he was always so good at that!) or picking raspberries in the garden and then coming inside to hear the latest brain teaser he had been waiting to share. He always took in every moment and savored them all. He was deeply proud of his entire family.

Bruce is survived by his brother, Richard Haney; son, Mark Piddington; daughter, Lisa (Kenneth) Bent; seven granddaughters, Ashley (Nick) Ring, Sarah Jimieson, Brianna (Alex) Parker, Brittany Piddington, Kianna Bent, Leah Piddington and Chelsea Piddington; two grandsons, Tyler Piddington and Lance Piddington; great-grandchildren, Maddie Ring and Matthew Ring; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Janet Piddington (Lloyd); brother, Scott Piddington; and his son, Michael.

A memorial service will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL AND CREMATION CARE, 5203 Monona Dr., Madison, at 11 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 7, 2022. Burial with military honors will be at Roselawn Memorial Park. Visitation will be held at the funeral home from 9 a.m. until the time of the service on Monday. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson East

Funeral & Cremation Care

5203 Monona Drive

(608) 221-5420

Bruce Alan Piddington

April 21, 1939 - January 30, 2022

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