Final Salute

Bruce Edwin Arganbright of Baxter, MN, passed away Saturday, September 6th, with family by his side. Born June 20, 1946, in Oskaloosa, Iowa, to Eddie and Maxine Jane (Rockwell) Arganbright, Bruce lived a full and colorful life that could best be described as part Navy, part Seabee, part comedian, and part garage sale enthusiast.

Bruce was preceded in death by his parents, first wife Karen, son David Nathan, brother Dan, and grandson, Nicholas. He is survived by his wife, Linda (Melby) Arganbright of Baxter, MN; his sons Marcus of Kansas City, MO, Jason (Melissa) of McKinney, TX, Dane (Alyssa) of Delano, MN, and Jesse of St. Paul, MN; mother-in-law Jean Melby, as well as grandchildren, great-grandchildren, extended family, and more friends than we can count.

Bruce graduated from high school in Crane, Missouri, where he met Karen (Martin). Soon after, he enlisted in the Navy and served four years of active duty as a machinist, including two aboard the USS Ruchamkin. He later continued his service with pride, spending 16 more years in the reserves as a member of the Seabees. Bruce and Karen married on December 21, 1967, and together they built a family, raising four sons. Perhaps inspired by his salty sea stories-or maybe by his trademark stubborn streak-all four boys chose to follow in his footsteps and serve their country as well.

After his Navy years, Bruce started working as a machinist with Frisco Railroad, in Springfield, MO, this career brought him to Galesburg, Illinois, and then Baxter, MN-where he put down roots and never stopped tinkering.

Once he settled in Baxter, Bruce met Linda (Melby) and they married on October 4, 2002 and together they created a life full of camping trips, winters by the water (first at their beloved cabin on Table Rock Lake in the Ozarks, later in Port Aransas, Texas), and countless adventures with fellow retired Seabees.

If you knew Bruce, you knew he loved three things: dogs, the Kansas City Chiefs, and clocks. Lots of clocks. He also had a sixth sense for garage sales, never leaving one without something he “might need someday.” At home, he made a career out of “puttering” in the house and yard-though mostly, he was busy making people laugh. Whether with a goofy face, a perfectly timed wisecrack, or a story that may or may not have been 100% true, Bruce’s humor was his trademark.

He never met a stranger, because strangers didn’t stay strangers for long-Bruce was on a first-name basis with many local store employees. And that’s what we want him to be remembered for: his big laugh and the joy he carried into every room.

A service will be held on Friday, October 3 at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery (15550 MN-115, Little Falls, MN 56345) at 1:00pm followed by a light lunch, and toast to Bruce, at The Canteen, a short drive from the Cemetery.

A special thank you to Breath of Life, the St. Cloud VA Medical Center, and the Silver Bay Veterans Home for caring for Bruce these last few years. Words aren’t enough-we are forever grateful.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Breath of Life in Brainerd, MN.