Henry "Hank" Bruce passed away August 1, 2026 at the Presbyterian Kaseman Hospice. He was 82 years old.

Hank Bruce described himself as a simple gardener, writer, horticultural therapist, hunger activist and peace advocate. He was presented with a number of awards, such as the 1999 Alice W. Burlingame Humanitarian Service Award by the American Horticultural Therapy Association "given to an individual that has given freely of their time, talent and energy, with special significance for Horticultural Therapy on a local, state or national level." This was presented in honor of the work he did coordinating an introduction to horticultural therapy at the EPCOT Center International Flower and Garden Festival. The Florida Chapter also presented him with one of their lifetime achievement awards.

He and his wife were involved at the national, regional, state and local levels with teaching activity professionals about the use of plants to enrich the lives of people of various ages and abilities. They were awarded the 2008 Distinguished Merit Award by the Northern California Council of Activity Coordinators "for Service and Dedication to the Activity Profession and Our Organization."

Hank and Tomi are perhaps best known as writers, with over 25 books in print ranging from novels and short stories, to gardening and children's books. One of his most popular world-wide was the first book ever introduced at EPCOT Center, called Gardens for the Senses, Gardening as Therapy. The Family Caregiver's Journal, a guide to facing the terminal illness of a loved one received the Caliente Award, and other award winners include Peace Beyond All Fear, a Tribute to John Denver's Vision; and Windowsill Whimsy: Gardening Projects for Small Spaces.

They traveled extensively introducing a wheelchair accessible portable garden, along with a raised bed garden system that was inspired by the Zuni waffle gardens. Their non-profit Hunger Grow Away was able to provide a number of these to various Pueblo and Navajo communities, where Hank gained quite a reputation for serving samples of Tumbleweed Soup. Frequently traveling with them was Alvin Rafelito of Pine Hill, NM who Hank described as being the son he never had.

Hank was preceded in death by his daughter Karen Robinson, his parents Purdy and Wilhelmina, and brothers and sisters-in law Eugene and Clara, and David and Ruth. He leaves his wife Tomi Jill Folk of Rio Rancho, NM; four grandchildren in Florida: Alex, Ethan, Julia Bainbridge and Chase Robinson; and one great-granddaughter Sage Bainbridge. He remained lifelong friends with his first wife Marlene Bruce Reigle, and former son-in-law Randy Bainbridge.

No service is being held at his request, but if you choose, you could honor his memory by praying the prayer of St. Francis (Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace...) Memorial gifts may be given to your local food pantry or public radio station.