February 3, 1944 – November 14, 2025
Bruce M. Hoeller, age 81, of Friday Harbor, WA died on November 14, 2025, surrounded by his loving family, after a valiant battle against cancer. Known for his positive, can-do attitude, Bruce never shied away from any challenge. His love of family, faith in Christ, and ability to find the good in most every situation, allowed him to enjoy a life well-lived.
Born February 3, 1944, in Seattle, WA, to Walt and Margaret Hoeller, Bruce grew up in the Wallingford district of Seattle. After graduating from Lincoln High School, he attended the University of Washington for one year before taking time off to travel with friends. Upon his return to Seattle, Bruce enrolled at Western Washington College of Education, now known as Western Washington University, in Bellingham, WA. He graduated in 1968 with a degree in Economics/Urban Planning.
Bruce spent the next 26 years of his life serving in the US Navy as a pilot. Throughout his career in the Navy, he was qualified to pilot multiple types of aircraft, fixed-wing, helicopters, and jets, and was often called upon to train others. His time in the Navy saw him stationed in a variety of locations including Whidbey Island, San Diego, Puerto Rico, and Washington, DC. He deployed to the Pacific theater flying helicopters from Navy Destroyers, performing search and rescue during Vietnam, and conducting anti-submarine surveillance. Bruce commanded a squadron in Puerto Rico flying both helicopters and jet attack aircraft.
Among his many assignments, Bruce, and his daughters, Sarah and Erica, found themselves at the Naval Training Center in Great Lakes, IL where they met Bruce’s future wife, Luanne. After marrying Luanne in 1989, the new family moved to Washington, DC for Bruce’s final assignment in the Pentagon as a Legislative and NATO Liaison officer. Bruce retired from the Navy in 1993 and in 1996, he and Luanne returned to Seattle, where their son, Michael, was born.
Bruce, Luanne, and Michael moved to Friday Harbor, WA in 1999. Bruce was an active member of St Francis Catholic Church where he volunteered his time as a sacristan and helped maintain the Catholic cemetery. He was an avid downhill skier. To watch him swish his way down the mountain was like watching poetry in motion. Bruce enjoyed traveling and especially learning about the history and cultures of the places he visited. He also enjoyed spending his summers with his family exploring the San Juan and Canadian Gulf Islands on their sailboat. Generous with his time, Bruce was always willing to help friends and neighbors with any task at hand. Most of all, Bruce loved spending time with his family and the joy they brought to his life.
Bruce is survived by his wife of 36 years, Luanne, and his three children, Sarah Rakowski (Mike), Erica Blevins (Eli), and Michael Hoeller (Andi), and his granddaughter, Samantha Troxclair. He is also survived by his brother, William “Bill” Hoeller.
Those wishing to honor Bruce’s memory can do so by supporting San Juan Island Hospice, Hospice of the Northwest, and the American Cancer Society. To share memories of Bruce please visit the link: www.evanschapel.com/obituary/bruce-hoeller.
