Bruce Owen Bleckert

Bruce Owen Bleckert (November 14,1935 - March 22, 2026) Bruce Owen Bleckert, 90, of Tacoma Washington, passed away on March 22, 2026, surrounded by loved ones. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Mary and his son Mark. Bruce is survived by his 3 children Scott, Leanne, and Matt, as well as his 3 grandchildren, and 5 great grandchildren. 

Bruce was born on November 14, 1935 in Bismarck, North Dakota and later moved to Salem, Oregon. He was active in the Boy Scouts of America, earning the rank of eagle scout before graduating from Salem High School in 1953. Bruce developed a passion for photography which followed him throughout his life. After high school, Bruce enlisted in the Army, where he was stationed in Panama and continued fine tuning his photography and photo development skills. After his tour, he returned home to wed his love, Mary Hendrickson on November 17, 1956 and begin a family. He was honorably discharged in 1961 and later moved to Tacoma where he would become a venerable figure in the community throughout the rest of his life. 

Bruce and Mary were the long time owners of Custom Photo Service in downtown Tacoma, specializing in black and white photo processing and restoration. He served as the President of the Pierce Country district of the Professional Photographers of Washington,and later earned a lifetime membership alongside Mary for their years of work in the field. Bruce used his experience to instruct and mentor many photographers in the region, leaving an enduring impact in the area. 

Outside of photography Bruce was involved in a number of community spaces and hobbies. He served as President of the Daffodil Festival, of which he later became an honorary grand marshal. Bruce and Mary were both active members of the Tacoma Rose society, winning a number of awards, and making lasting contributions to the Pt. Defiance Rose Garden. He was also well known by friends and family for his collection of Coca Cola and M&M memorabilia. 

He will be remembered for his kind heartedness, passion, and his love for his friends and family.