FITCHBURG - Bruce Bidwell Braun, age 82, of Fitchburg, Wis., passed away on December 8, 2025. He was born to Carl and Ruth (Cooley) Braun on December 15, 1942, in Albany, N.Y.

After graduating from Voorheesville High School (1960), he went on to earn a B.S. in forestry from the SUNY College of Foresty (1964) and a M.A. in public administration from the Maxwell School at Syracuse (1965).

Bruce met his wife Nancy at SU, and they were married shortly after graduation before heading to Madison, Wis. They shared 60 years of partnership together raising their two daughters. Travel and camping with friends were two of the families' joys. Bruce has been a lifelong photographer, tennis player, casual guitar player, and took up painting after retiring.

Bruce started his 37 years of state service working for the Wisconsin Department of Administration. He worked for seven years in the State Budget Office supervising budget operations and working with the Governor and Legislature to develop early water, air, and solid waste programs. His work with the legislature helped to secure the creation of the Lower Wisconsin Riverway. Six years were served in the Division of Facilities Management supervising the state capital budget, property acquisition and staff services to the State Building Commission.

He was part of the creation of the Department of Natural Resources where he spent five years as the Division Administrator and 11 years as the DNR Deputy Secretary. During this time Bruce was instrumental in creating the Natural Resources Foundation (NRF) of Wisconsin. This was followed by serving as the UW-System Associate Vice President for Physical Planning and Development. Bruce was the retired Assistant Vice Chancellor of Facilities Planning and Management for the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus.

Bruce is survived by his wife, Nancy; daughters, Deborah (Hessam) Hozhabrian and Bonnie (Nicholas) Thompson; and grandson, Alex. He is also survived by his sister, Beverly Braun; and brother, Duane (Ruth) Braun.

A celebration of life will be held at GUNDERSON OREGON FUNERAL AND CREMATION CARE, 1150 Park St. Oregon, from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m., with a memorial service beginning at 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 11, 2026.

Donations may be made to the Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin or Agrace HospiceCare.

Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson Oregon

Funeral & Cremation Care

1150 Park St.

(608) 835-3515

Bruce Bidwell Braun

December 15, 1942 - December 08, 2025

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