Terry Bruce obit

Lawmaker, educator Terry Bruce dead at 82

 He was not on the list.

Former state and national lawmaker and head of Illinois Eastern Community Colleges Terry Bruce has died.

Bruce, who represented the Crawford County area in both the Illinois State Senate and U.S. House of Representatives, died Friday, April 17. He was 82.

Bruce served as IECC’s chief executive officer from 1996 until his retirement in 2019. Over those 23 years, he helped guide the district through a period of significant transformation while maintaining a strong commitment to students, employees and the communities served by IECC.

In addition to his leadership at IECC, Bruce served on the Illinois Community College Board, including as vice chair. Throughout his public life, he played an important role in advancing education and public service in southern Illinois.

“Mr. Bruce’s impact on IECC and on community colleges in Illinois is difficult to fully capture,” said IECC Chancellor Ryan Gower. “His influence is woven into what we do every day. He cared deeply about access to education and about strengthening the communities of District 529, and that commitment continues to shape this institution.”

Beyond his professional accomplishments, Bruce was known for his character and the way he connected with others.

“For those who knew Mr. Bruce and worked closely with him, what stood out most was how deeply he cared about people,” Gower said. “He believed in giving second chances, and I saw him extend those opportunities time and again. He believed in helping people move forward in their lives, and that showed up in how he led this institution and how he conducted himself personally. He made a difference in the lives of many people.”

Bruce was preceded in death by his wife, Charlotte Bruce, who passed away in 2024. She was closely connected to Olney Central College and its library and was a valued member of the IECC community. Together, they shared a longstanding connection to IECC and to the communities the district serves.

Visitation will be 5-7 p.m. Friday, April 24. Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Saturday, April 25. Both will take place at Kistler-Patterson Funeral Home, Olney.