A Life of Laughter, Love, and Service

Bruce F. Tandy (78) passed away on Thursday, November 18. His life is celebrated by his many friends and family members, who cherish their memories of this hardworking, fun-loving, kind Christian man. 

Bruce was born in Wichita, Kans., to James and Sybil (Davis) Tandy. A gifted athlete, Bruce played basketball, football, baseball, and also wrestled in his youth. He was small in stature, but fast, strong, and agile--an asset to any team for his skills and also his heart of service. He was in athletics and in life a ‘utility player,’ one who can fill in wherever he is needed, using his talents to bless the team and his community. Athletics was a lifelong joy for Bruce, who kept fit by playing racquetball, handball, and basketball with friends for many years.

Bruce married Sheila (Howell) Tandy in 1967 and the couple relocated from Wichita to make their home in York. Their 54 years of marriage were blessed with two children, James and Todd, and many joys and adventures. Sheila recalls with fondness Bruce’s great faithfulness to her and their family. Theirs was always a home filled with love and laughter. The Tandys frequently opened their home to others in need of a place to stay, especially York College students. “When we built the house, we asked God to use it to His glory,” said Sheila, and through their decades of hospitality, they sought to do just that. 

Bruce worked for York College for 40 years and is remembered as being one of the bedrocks of the athletics department. He served in a variety of capacities, answering the call wherever there was a need in the coaching staff. At different times during his four decades of service, he was the coach of men's and women's tennis and women's volleyball, basketball, and softball. Under Bruce’s direction, women's sports at York College blossomed. He is credited with starting the softball and women's basketball programs as well as having an instrumental role in introducing volleyball and tennis. He also served as intramural director and AV coordinator for the college for many years, and in his free time also umpired and refereed games. 

Bruce served as athletic director at York College for two years in a time when funds for the position were unavailable. He took on the added responsibilities as well as recruiting new students, despite the fact that he did not receive a pay increase for the extra workload. He saw a need and filled it joyfully. Through it all, his dedication to the students of York College and the community was visible. 

Bruce was honored by having the 1973 York College Yearbook dedicated to him. In 1982 he was named Nebraska Baseball Digest's Umpire of the Year for his service to the profession. He is also the 2001 recipient of the York College Campus Ministry's Heartland's Service Award. In 2012, he was inducted into the York College Athletic Hall of Fame.

In his retirement years, Bruce enjoyed flipping houses in York, fishing, camping, and gardening. He and Sheila had a small camper that they pulled behind their pickup to visit 49 of the 50 states (they did visit Hawaii, but they didn’t take the camper). The couple loved to travel for sightseeing as well as missions activities. One of their favorite destinations to visit was Alaska. They also loved visiting Europe, especially the time they spent in Paris. The couple also visited Ecuador where they helped to construct a church building. 

Bruce had a special way of relating to children. With a twinkle in his eye, he was known as chief among leg pullers, and kids (and adults) knew he was always ready for some fun. He is remembered by his friends and family for the many hilarious pranks he carried out, from delivering a bouquet of dead flowers to his best friend’s sweetheart and signing the friend’s name to the note, to giving newcomers to the college homemade gift certificates to the campus cafeteria (which were not valid). The prank that still brings tears of mirth to his friends’ eyes involved garage doors that wouldn’t open. You could always count on Bruce for a good laugh. 

Bruce and Sheila were active members of East Hill Church of Christ for their entire time in York. Bruce was a deacon of the congregation for many years, serving in the background and helping wherever it was needed, from making sure visitors had a seat to organizing the communion table. The pair was also active at Nebraska Youth Camp in Kearney, where Bruce enjoyed helping campers connect with creation through fishing, canoeing, and paddle boarding. 

Bruce is survived by his wife, Sheila (York); sons James (Houston, Texas) and Todd (York); brother and sister-in-law Harold and Deena Tandy (York); and a great many nieces, nephews, and friends. 

A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, November 23 at 10 a.m. at East Hill Church of Christ (1122 N Delaware Ave, York). The service will also be streamed live on the East Hill Church of Christ Facebook page. Interment will follow at Greenwood Cemetery in York.  Memorials may be directed to Nebraska Youth Camp (65 Sweetwater Ave S, Kearney, NE 68847) or York College. 

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