Bruce Reynolds

Bruce Hunt Reynolds passed away January 26, 2025. He was born to Annabelle (Hunt) and Keith Reynolds in Richmond, Indiana on Valentine’s Day, February 14, 1939. He met his future wife, Jan (Mikesell), during their sophomore year of high school and graduated together from Richmond High School in 1957.

Bruce led a fulfilling life of devotion to his wife and family, of a rewarding business career, of community service, and quickly turning strangers into friends with his smile, quick wit, and infectious personality.

While excelling academically growing up in Richmond he was also drawn to music. Jazz bands, symphonic orchestras, marching bands; he played them all with his string bass and tuba. It was at a jazz rehearsal that he met his future wife, Jan. A quick musical side note: while playing in the Mason’s Marching Band as one of the younger members he learned the additional duty of the tuba player: store ice in the bell to keep the beer cold for the ride home.

Bruce and Jan both went to Indiana University and married in June of 1958. Bruce graduated in 1961 with distinction and a B.S. in business while being selected for the Freshman and Business Honorary societies along the way. Upon graduation he joined Indiana Bell Telephone Company in Indianapolis. And, by the summer of 1962 he and Jan had 3 boys! Family, work, and community: the three legs of his lifelong stool were established at an early age.

He served as coach for all three boys’ grade school age sports teams and served as President of the Carmel Dad’s Club. Rarely would he and Jan miss an athletic or extracurricular event of their sons. Later he served as President of the Hanover College Parent’s Association. And, when their sons had all graduated from high school Bruce accepted a vice president position with United Telephone Company in Florida and they moved to the Orlando area in the company of their loyal dog, Tiger.

In addition to his numerous work obligations, he served as the President of the Florida Association (later named to its Hall of Fame), President of the Florida Chapter of Independent Telephone Pioneers Association, and served on the advisory board of the Public Utilities Research Center at the University of Florida.

In 1992 Bruce and Jan transferred to Mansfield, Ohio where Bruce joined United Telephone’s North-Central organization (later merged with Sprint). While with United/Sprint in Ohio he additionally served on the boards of the Ohio Telephone Association and the Mansfield/Richland County Chamber of Commerce, on the advisory board of the Ohio University School of Telecommunications Management, and as Chair of the Business Advisory Council to the Mansfield City Schools winning awards for his service.

In 1997 he retired from United/Sprint and then things really got busy. Bruce and Jan set up their retirement home in Carmel, Indiana. Shortly thereafter Bruce was hired as the Executive Director of the Carmel – Clay Education Foundation, a post he held for 8 years. During many of those years he was also hired as an adjunct instructor at Ivy Tech State College teaching “Introduction to Business” classes. Meanwhile he joined the Carmel Symphony Orchestra as a member of the string bass section and served on its board of directors.

He and Jan later volunteered together at the Carmel Clay Public Library and at IU Health North Hospital. Bruce had numerous other volunteer and board positions through the years including being one of the original volunteers at the Great American Songbook Foundation. He won numerous awards for his service.

In the last number of years, the Reynolds family formed the TimelessMusicProject with a mission to perpetuate classic, timeless jazz. They also founded the Hoagy Carmichael Award for Excellence in Jazz Composition at Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music.

Bruce was a guest vocalist at the annual “NYC Jazz Greats” concerts often singing songs inspired by or about the bass. He also served as emcee for the numerous live jazz series where he again demonstrated his knack of quickly turning strangers into friends.

On that note, he would rarely use the ATM at the bank, preferring to have time with his usual teller. He would never use the drive through at the pharmacy, preferring time with his usual pharmacist. And, he’d stand in the longest line at the grocery checkout, if need be, to spend time with his preferred checkout clerk, even if he had only 3 or 4 items.

The family greatly thanks the IU Health Hospice team including Holly, Angie, and many more for their kind, professional care of Bruce over the last number of months. Yes, Bruce befriended them, too.

Bruce is survived by the love of his life, his wife Jan, and their three sons Scott, Greg, and Mike. He was preceded in death by his parents Annabelle (Hunt) and Keith Reynolds along with many longtime friends.

In keeping with Bruce’s wishes the services will be private and family only. A Celebration of Life will be held soon for a public tribute to him and his great life.

Memorial gifts may be made to the Indiana Entertainment Foundation in the name of Bruce Reynolds to support the TimelessMusicProject. (www.indianafound.org). You may select the “In Memory of Bruce Reynolds” option in the “My donation is for” toggle. Or via checks payable to Indiana Entertainment Foundation (noting “Bruce Reynolds” in the memo line or cover letter) and mailed to: IEF; c/o Buchanan Group; 2020 Montcalm; Indianapolis, IN 46202