Bruce Bottorff, born on September 25, 1946, was a man of many adjectives - adventurous, ambitious, supportive, and funny.
His life was nothing short of a daring adventure, filled with drag bike races, underwater diving expeditions, and an endless pursuit of geocaching treasures.
Born in Shelbyville, Indiana, he lived a vibrant life that spanned 78 years. Bruce's love for speed and adrenaline was evident in his youthful achievements, winning the prestigious titles of Sportsman Rider of the Year and National Eliminator while competing in drag bike racing.
He began working for GE as a welder and then through hard work and dedication to educating himself, he was able to work as a Field Service/Quality Assurance Engineer and travel the world while doing a job he truly enjoyed! He traveled to Indonesia, China, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Egypt, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. He was able to immerse himself into the culture of each site as he had to collaborate with locals for completing the job at hand. He thrived at his job during the years of traveling. Eventually, he retired from Wellman Furnaces, Inc. in 2017.
Retirement was bittersweet for him. Fueled by ambition and a love for the outdoors, Bruce's life was a testament to his belief in living as healthily and actively as possible. He was an avid member of The Shelbyville Cycling Club and often raced with the group known as the Herd on the Strava and Zwift apps. Bruce won numerous running and cycling races throughout his adult life. But Bruce was not just about ambition and competition. He was also a man who believed in laughter and love. His wit, charm, and humor were infectious, often lighting up the room and bringing a smile to everyone's face.
At the heart of Bruce's adventurous and ambitious life was a man also committed to his loved ones. He was always there at his granddaughter's soccer games and track meets, cheering her on from the sidelines. His encouragement didn't stop there. He pushed his family and friends to pursue their dreams, whether it was in music, photography, or sports. Bruce also made sure to share his love for travel and exploration with his family, taking his daughter, step-daughter, and grandchildren on memorable trips around the USA and geocaching adventures across Indiana.
Bruce is survived by his mother, Wanda Bottorff; his daughter, Tabitha Lawver (Troy); step-daughter, Christy Platt; his sister, Mary VanNatta (Bobby); his sister, Kathy Wells (Wyman); and brother, Mark Bottorff. He was preceded in death by his father, Boyd Bottorff and step-mother, Joann Bottorff; and sister, Sue Ann Harmon.
As we remember and celebrate Bruce's life, we invite all those who knew and loved him to share their memories and photographs on his memorial page. Let us remember him in his fullness, in his laughter, in his love for life, and in his unwavering support for those he cared about. Through these shared memories, may his adventurous and loving spirit continue to live on.
A Memorial service will be 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 4, 2025, at Glenn E. George & Son Funeral Home, 437 Amos Road, with visitation from 3:00 pm until the time of the service, at the funeral home.
Burial will be in Forest Hill Cemetery. Military rites will be observed.
