Bruce Elbert Despain

Bruce Elbert Despain was born on May 3, 1930, and passed away peacefully on April 12, 2026, just shy of his 96th birthday. His beautiful wife, Beverly, and sweet granddaughter, Chelsea, have been waiting on the other side for his arrival.

Bruce was raised at the family home in the mouth of Little Cottonwood Canyon by his parents, Elbert George Despain and Miriam Charlotte Hawkins Despain. He talked often about his years in the canyons, farming, and riding horses. His grandfather, LE Despain, owned an ore hauling business, which Bruce’s father, Elbert, took over. Elbert taught many of his sons to drive the trucks at a very young age by holding fingers out the window to tell them what gear to shift into!

Bruce loved to ski in his Little Cottonwood mountains and had the opportunity to ski with some of the greats, including Alf Engen, who set several ski jumping world records in the 1930s and established a ski school at the Alta ski resort. Alf was also a pioneer of powder skiing.

As a young man, Bruce won a flying lesson on a radio show, and that was it! His love of flying was born. While attending the University of Utah, he was enrolled in the Air Force ROTC. He then entered active duty with the Air Force just prior to the end of the Korean War. He obtained the rank of Captain. His call sign was “Phantom”, a nickname that continued his whole life. He served active duty as a pilot and as a reserve as well. Bruce was also a veteran of the Korean War. After his service, he started his career with Western Airlines, which later became Delta Air Lines, and retired in 1990 after 33 years of service. Both of his sons followed in his footsteps and became airline pilots.

Bruce met his spouse, Beverly, through his sister-in-law, who thought they’d have a lot in common, since she was a stewardess for United Airlines. That successful lineup led to a wedding in the Salt Lake Temple on November 19, 1959. Beverly and Bruce were companions for 52 years until Beverly passed away on January 27, 2012.

Their very first home was in Cottonwood Heights on Catalina Dr. The family had many happy memories in the five years they lived there. Bruce was notorious for antics involving the blowing up of the neighbors’ garbage cans with flair and creativity accompanied by his best friend and partner in crime, Carl Church. All in fun! They moved to Seattle, Washington, in 1968, where they built another home on hole 1 of a beautiful golf course. The whole family loved it there, but Bruce could never let go of his love for the mountains. They moved back to Utah 3 years later. It took over a year to build the Willow Creek home at the top of Bridger Boulevard, where many a grand party, backyard barbecues, weddings, social gatherings, festive holidays, and volleyball or badminton in the driveway were always happening. Beverly and Bruce’s final home was in the Steeplechase neighborhood in Draper, Utah.

Bruce was an avid outdoorsman and loved to hunt and fish. As the years went on, he became the man who would rather take pictures and make friends with the fish. On numerous trips down the Green River, he would stop at a place he called “The Lunch Counter.” His fish friends would recognize his kick boat and come swimming for treats and belly rubs! There are pictures to prove the lasting relationships he formed with his “fin” friends! Bruce taught his sons and grandsons the art of fly fishing and took his kids fishing in Alaska. They all have many fond fishing memories with dad and grandpa.

With all the airline passes available to the family, they were able to take many wonderful vacations to Germany, Austria, Canada, Alaska, many states, and multiple visits to California and Hawaii.

Bruce had many other talents. He used his artist skills to paint his beloved Cottonwood Canyons. He was a great boatman and took family and friends on many trips. On one trip to Lake Powell with Bev’s sister Frankie and her family, the boat was having mechanical problems. The group was stuck on the boat ramp for several hours, and they became increasingly hungry. Bev jumped up and made sandwiches. From then on, in any extreme circumstances, the family joke was to “just make sandwiches!”

Brigette learned to finish house construction from her father. He really was a great teacher and shared his skills generously.

Bruce loved his kids and extended family and made up detailed names for them. His oldest son Brett was affectionately named “kid.” His daughter Brigette was “dolly,” and Brandt was originally nicknamed “buzzard” due to his initial grumpiness as a young child. Many family members remember their “Bruce-given” name with love and appreciation for his creativity!

He taught his children shooting skills, and all three of them competed in shooting competitions. Brett has won many awards and still competes in trapshooting.

Bruce was a tough, strict military man, with a warm and fuzzy interior and a heart full of love.

He is survived by his brothers Richard (Marilyn) & Michael (Lynn) Despain. Son, Brett Despain (Andrea), daughter, Brigette Nielsen, son, Brandt Despain (TuRea). Grandchildren, Chase Harrison (Mikah), Chad Harrison, Alexis Despain (Bret), Niki Hansen (Alex), Rachel Ferguson (Colton), Kylee Despain (Austin), Alex and Elyse Despain. Great-grandchildren Railee, Chelsea, Cade, Skylar, Maverick, Rosie, Charlotte, Olivia, and our newest lil’ man, Bennett. Preceded in death by his parents, brother Gail (Beverly), wife Beverly, granddaughter Chelsea Ann, and many nieces and nephews.

A graveside service will be held on April 25, 2026, at 2:00 at Memorial Mountain View Cemetery 3115 Bengal Blvd, Cottonwood Heights, UT 84121.

High Flight

by John Gillespie Magee Jr.

Oh I have slipped the surly bonds of Earth

And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;

Sunward I’ve climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth

of sun-split clouds, - and done a hundred things

You have not dreamed of – wheeled and soared and swung

High in the sunlit silence. Hov’ring there,

I’ve chased the shouting wind along, and flung

My eager craft through footless halls of air …

Up, up the long, delirious, burning blue

I’ve topped the wind-swept heights with easy grace

Where never lark, or even eagle flew –

And, while with silent lifting mind I’ve trod

The high untrespassed sanctity of space,

Put out my hand, and touched the face of God.