Bruce M. Klimek

Bruce M. Klimek was born to Edwin and Carolyn (Whiteman) Klimek who both preceded him in death. He attended St. Patrick’s Grade School in South Bend. He went on to Central High School in South Bend for freshman year and graduated from LaSalle High School in South Bend.

Bruce received both his Bachelors and Masters Degrees in Special Education from Indiana University South Bend. He began his teaching career at Logan Center where he worked in their day program. From there he became a Rec Therapist for NISDC (Northern Indiana State Developmental Center for Children). After getting his Masters degree, he taught at NISDC in a classroom the South Bend Community School Corporation had created. Bruce had a heart for those who struggled. He wanted to make sure his special education students were taken care of but also good citizens in their community.

Bruce’s 30 year career took him to many schools throughout Northern Indiana. Besides working for SBCSC, he also taught for Michigan City Area Schools, Knox Community Schools, Trinity School at Greenlawn, and then returned to South Bend Community School Corporation where he retired in 2020.

His teaching career also led him to the love of his life, Kathy Klimek, meeting her while working in the NISDC classroom they shared. In September of ‘94 he wrote a guitar solo as his proposal of marriage and she was hooked. Kathy and Bruce were wed on May 27, 1995 at Holy Cross Catholic Church. They enjoyed similar things - travel, sports, teaching in special education, music, and being with family and friends. Three weeks after Bruce and Kathy were married, Bruce and his buddy, John Kovach, traveled with the Special Olympic bowling team to the Nationals in Connecticut. Bruce participated in many medal competitions for the Special Olympics of South Bend either in bowling and golf and continued with Special O until 2020. Bruce played baseball for the Ancient Mariners in South Bend over 30 League. In addition,

Kathy always got him into some coaching gig which in the end, he was always happy she did! His coaching career took him from St. Monica’s Grade School (girls basketball), to St. Matthew (boys and girls basketball, boys baseball, and football), Trinity School at Greenlawn (boys basketball), Knox (football), Adams HS (football), and Riley HS (Unified Track) and many other coaching gigs along the way.

A huge sports fan, Bruce loved Notre Dame football and baseball and IU basketball but his lifelong passion was the Chicago White Sox! He knew every player and their stats. He shared his love of the Sox with godsons Noah, Camden, and Nick, attending many games and teaching them to keep score.

Having a love and a talent for music he inherited from his mother, Bruce played a variety of instruments and if he found one he didn’t know, he taught himself. He played music for many years with his buddies, Gary Lippincot (deceased) and Kevin Dobecki, at Sumption Prairie.

Bruce loved hanging out with “the gang” of dear friends from high school and their wives. Having breakfast with Dan and Misti Rooks and Kevin and Debbie Dobecki was a highlight of his month. He had a vast and impressive knowledge for trivia, especially sports and music and though appearing “tough”, anyone who knew Bruce well, knew he had a soft and gentle heart. He is loved and will be greatly missed. In addition to his parents,

Bruce was preceded in death by his grandparents, aunts and uncles.

Along with his wife Kathy, Bruce is survived by his brother, Brad (Annette) Klimek, mother and father-in-law Mike and Rita Kottkamp, sister-in-law Helen (Ed) Strain, brothers-in-law Mike Kottkamp, Patrick (Becca) Kottkamp, Stephen (Kristin) Kottkamp. Nieces and nephews, Katie (Nick), Kelsey (John), Andy (Chelsea), Gabriel, Tabitha, Lucas, Teresa, Nicholas, Camden, Peter, Peyton, Makenna, Abigail, Grady, Ian, Sam, Lilah, Carter, Tessa, Cora, Aaron, Kendall and Elijah.

Visitation for Bruce will be Thursday, March 23 from 4:00 - 8:00 p.m. at Kaniewski Funeral Home. There will be a Mass of Christian burial on Friday, March 24 at 11:00 a.m. at Holy Cross Catholic Church on Wilbur Street, South Bend. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Special Olympics of South Bend or Trinity School at Greenlawn Athletics.

Posted online on March 21, 2023

Published in South Bend Tribune

03/21/2023 EJS - rest in peace my friend