Bruce Anthony Beda

Bruce Anthony Beda passed away peacefully June 20, 2026, in Vero Beach, Florida after 85 years of warming the hearts of everyone whom he encountered.  He will be deeply missed by his family and friends.

Bruce was born in Muskegon, Michigan, in November of 1940, to Susan Parker Beda and Anthony Peter Beda. His childhood was filled with love, fishing, sports, and memorable trips to his father’s family in Fort William, Ontario, and his mother’s family in Calhoun Falls, SC.

A natural athlete, Bruce excelled in football, track & field, and hockey. He was recruited by the University of Michigan to play football, though a shoulder injury cut his playing career short. Bruce earned an undergraduate business degree and an MBA from the University of Michigan. A loyal fan to the end, he was rewarded in his final years with National Championships in football and basketball. His deep love of football stayed with him throughout his life and rekindled with the advent of fantasy football where he was known as the “Florida Wolverine”.

Professionally, Bruce was a respected executive and leader, with expertise in accounting and finance. He held management positions at Pillsbury Company, Kimberly-Clark, and Wehr Corporation/Venturedyne. In 1995, he turned his focus to private equity and investment management, and in 2001, he founded Kilbourn Capital Management. For over two decades, Bruce served on the Board of Directors of Stifel Financial.  He also held investor-appointed board positions for Natural Wonders, Iwerks Entertainment, Blue Bunny, Infonet Services, and Rex Works, Inc.

Bruce was blessed with three sons, all of whom shared his love of fishing and sailing.  Summers were filled with sailboat regattas, fishing trips, and camping expeditions.  Some of his fondest memories include racing the Queens Cup and Race to Mackinac with his sons and trusted partners representing the Milwaukee Yacht Club.  His office was decorated with pictures of the four of them holding their trophy fish and others on their beloved sailboats.

Bruce was known as a charming, thoughtful and kind man with a wonderful sense of humor. He had a rare gift for connecting with people and truly cared about them. He possessed a great mind, disarming wit, and an empathetic heart. His strong faith in God anchored him through life’s journey — particularly while courageously dealing with Multiple System Atrophy — and he touched many with his steady presence and quiet generosity.

He is survived by his beloved wife Mary Garvey Beda; his sister Susan (Bert) Butts; his sons Thomas (Laurie) Beda, Christopher (Kirsten) Beda, and Richard Beda; grandchildren Alex (Kelly) Beda and Sarah (Ben) Klausing; and great-grandchildren Ellie, Aubrey, Madison, and James Beda, and Thomas and Lily Klausing.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:30 a.m., Friday, December 4, 2026, at Holy Cross Catholic Church, 500 Iris Ln, Vero Beach, FL 32963.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Mission MSA in Bruce’s honor https://donate.missionmsa.org/fundraiser/7383821.

Arrangements are by Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home & Crematory, Vero Beach, FL.