Bruce Burnside

My dad, Bruce Burnside, born November 1, 1941, in Walhalla, South Carolina, passed away at home on September 4, 2026, with me by his side.

Dad was a middle child with two older brothers and two younger sisters and over the years shared with me many special memories of his growing up years and life farming the family property in South Carolina. At 19, Dad left South Carolina and headed west to join his brother Herb in Black Diamond, Washington. Black Diamond quickly became home, where he built a life and remained for his lifetime in the small mining town.

He started his working life at Boeing in Renton before being drafted into the U.S. Army at age 23. He was proud of his military service, particularly his assignment as driver for his company commander. After the Army, he returned to Washington and to Boeing.
It was around this time that he met my mom, Sharrin. Together they bought property on Lake 12, built a home and a life. The family quickly became six, with Karl, Mike, and Lynne Shoemaker from my mom's previous marriage and I was born in fall of 1970. Dad and Mom married in April 1971. We all grew up together at our Lake 12 home, and Dad became an important second dad to them. They loved him deeply, and he was an important part of their lives.

Dad eventually left Boeing for a job in logging, where he spent more than 20 years operating the Yarder for Walker Logging. He loved the work and took great pride in what he did. Later, he became a truck driver for Bigge/Shaughnessy Crane Services, another job he was incredibly proud of. He loved telling stories about the places he traveled, and the things that happened along the way. If you knew Dad, you probably heard at least a few of those stories more than once.

In 1990, Bruce and Sharrin divorced. Bruce later married Donna, and they shared 15 memorable years together before her passing in 2007. Bruce remained a widower for the rest of his life.

Dad's life had many chapters, but what I will remember most is his huge heart, his kindness to others, and his willingness to help anyone who needed it.

In retirement, Dad loved his life on Lake 12. He bought a Bobcat excavator, and that Bobcat quickly became the solution to just about anything anyone needed done, Dad was always ready to make it happen. He spent countless hours helping friends and neighbors, and there will never be another like him on Lake 12. He left his mark on so many people, and his legacy will live on in the lives he touched.

He loved his raccoon families and enjoyed making sure they were fed. His weekly grocery trip to WinCo included first and foremost dog food for the raccoons, with Miller High Life and pistachios for himself. Dad was a simple man in many ways. He worked hard, loved his family, helped his neighbors, enjoyed his lake, tinkered with things, told stories, fed raccoons, split wood for the woodstove and found plenty of reasons to enjoy life.

I feel incredibly lucky to have been his daughter. He has taught me so much by his example and I always knew how much he loved me. I regularly joked with him that I was his favorite child. Losing him leaves a space that cannot be filled, but I am grateful for our years we had together and will always be daddy's girl.

Dad was also a very special part of my children’s lives. He shared his love of Lake 12 with Trent, Tess, and Tate by building trails for them, buying each of them their own quad, and teaching them how to ride. Some of their happiest memories with Grandpa Bruce were made right there at the lake, riding trails, exploring, and simply being together.

My husband, Shawn, held a very special place in Dad’s heart. They were truly two of a kind and shared a deep mutual respect for each other. Shawn was always there for Dad, especially when he needed someone the most. He was a constant source of help, support, and friendship, and Dad knew he could always count on Shawn. I am so grateful for the special bond and love they shared.

Dad spent his life at the lake telling a story, sharing a beer, fixing something, moving some dirt, feeding the raccoons, chopping wood and helping any way he could. He was one of a kind. His loss leaves a hole in our hearts and he will be deeply missed and forever loved by all who were lucky to be part of his life.

Dad is survived by his daughter, Karin Burnside, and son-in-law, Shawn Hess, who loved and cherished him deeply; his sister, Louise Lee (Leon) of South Carolina; his former wife and Karin’s mother, Sharrin Burnside; his stepchildren, Karl Shoemaker (Carol) and Lynne Hilliard Stipp (Rich); and his grandchildren, who adored their Grandpa Bruce.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Donna Burnside; his parents, Nelson and Pearl Burnside; his brothers, Ray Burnside and Herb Burnside; his sister, Linda James; and many other beloved family members who I like to believe were there to give him the most loving welcome as he passed from this life.

We invite family and friends to share their memories and photographs on his memorial page. Let's celebrate his life where he touched so many people through his kindness, humor, generosity, hard work, and friendship.