(Bruce Reese with his wife, Lu Ann. Photo Credit: Reese family)
SALT LAKE CITY – The local broadcasting industry has lost one of its most active supporters. Former Bonneville President Bruce Reese passed away this morning.
People who worked closely with Reese says he absolutely loved working in broadcasting. Former Bonneville COO Robert Johnson says Reese didn’t see it as a job. However, before Reese became company president, Bonneville had a reputation for being insular and not really well integrated with the rest of the national industry.
“Bruce made it a point to be involved in industry leadership,” Johnson says.
During Reese’s tenure, Bonneville stations earned 40 Crystal and Marconi awards. He also served as the Chair of the Joint Radio and Television Boards and the National Association of Broadcasters.
Johnson says, “Bonneville became known toward the end of Bruce’s time as the most admired radio company in America, according to a couple of publications, as I remember.”
Along with his work in the industry, he also felt the need to serve the community he lived in.
“He was chair of the Primary Children’s [Hospital] Board of Trustees. He was chair of the Pioneer Theater Company Board of Trustees,” John says.
He is survived by his wife and his seven children.