Obituary: Charles Harry Bruder, Former Faculty Member in the English Department, 1971-2010

Charles Harry Bruder passed away peacefully in his home in Lafayette, LA, on Monday, October 27, 2025. He was born on March 22, 1940, in Louisville, KY, to the late G. Stuart Bruder Sr. and Mildred Gensel Bruder. Those wishing to share memories or visit with his family are invited to join them at Fountain Memorial Funeral Home from 9:00 am to 11:00 am on Tuesday, November 4, 2025. A graveside service for family and friends will follow at Lafayette Memorial Park. Dr. Bruder earned his academic degrees from the University of Pennsylvania (B.A.), University of Kentucky (M.A.), and University of Nebraska (Ph.D.). He moved to Lafayette in 1971 to assume a faculty position in the Department of English at the University of Southwestern Louisiana, now the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. Dr. Bruder retired as Professor of English in 2010, his career marked by leadership roles, both on campus–Executive Officer of the Faculty Senate–and at the state level–serving many years on the Faculty Advisory Council to the UL System Board of Supervisors, the Executive Committee of the LA Association of Faculty Senates, and the Executive Committee of the LA Conference of the American Association of University Professors. A man of wide-ranging curiosity and interests, he was at various times of his life an Eagle Scout, a member of the freshman crew at Penn, a pilot of planes and ultra-lights, and a participant in anthropology digs while living in Nebraska. He found as much joy in making his son’s Halloween costumes and his own amateur carpentry projects as he did in the reading and writing associated with his professional life. He is survived by his wife of forty-seven years, Carolyn Reitz Bruder; his son, Miles Stuart Bruder (Elizabeth), and his three grandsons, Landry, Bennett, and Emerson Bruder. In addition, he is survived by his brother, G. Stuart Bruder Jr. (Pam); their children, G. Stuart Bruder III (Laura), Scott Bruder (Dororthy), and Brooke Hall (Johnny), and their grandchildren. Should you wish to honor Harry’s memory, in lieu of flowers please make a contribution to the charity of your choice. The family gives heartfelt thanks to Harry’s compassionate caregivers who helped them navigate the grueling, sad journey through Alzheimer’s–Judy Evans, Shirley Livings, Sharell Dural, and Sharon Castille. Thanks too to the caring staff at Hospice of Acadiana, particularly Lauri Duke and Alyssa Verret, whose professional knowledge and guidance brought comfort to Harry and his family. All these women embody empathy and understanding and are a blessing to our community. Online obituary and guest book may be viewed at www.fountainmemorialfuneralhome.com. Fountain Memorial Funeral Home and Cemetery, 1010 Pandora St. 337-981-7098 is in charge of arrangements.

Athletic Network Footnote: Our condolences to the Bruder Family and friends.
Peace, Ed Dugas
athleticnetwork@louisiana.edu