Bruce Jess Boydell of Ephrata, PA passed away peacefully on January 15, 2026, at Landis Homes in Lititz, Pennsylvania. He was born on April 21, 1941, and grew up in Fair Lawn, New Jersey. He was the son of the late Jesse & Eleanor (Babcock) Boydell, and the devoted husband of Joan (Kramer) for over 60 years. Bruce and Joan lovingly raised two children, Mark Boydell, married to Stacey Boydell, and Amy Boydell Zorrilla, married to Andres Zorrilla. He was a doting grandfather to three granddaughters, Beatrice and Abigail Zorrilla, and Sage Amara Boydell. Bruce was predeceased by his dear brother Craig and brother-in-law Robert Kramer. He will be missed by sister-in-law Ingrid and nephews and niece Michael, Patrick, Kai and Nora and their families, and Kramer sisters-in-law Nancy and Kathy, and nephews and niece Joshua, Nick, Chelsea, and their families.

Bruce cared deeply about people, and could often be found networking, engaging strangers in conversation, and seeking out ways to help others. His life was marked by a commitment to education, his faith, community, and the enrichment of the people around him.

Bruce was an outstanding student and musician at Fair Lawn High School, graduating as a member of the class of 1959. He then attended Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, on a Navy ROTC scholarship and later served as an officer in the United States Navy. After 5 years of active service, including onboard a nuclear submarine based in Hawaii, he furthered his education with a master’s degree in systems engineering from the University of Pennsylvania. He later earned an MBA from University of Delaware. His professional career focused on roles in education and engineering. After his studies at Penn, Bruce worked with the Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia before entering full-time ministry at the Haft community in northern Pennsylvania. For five years there, he and Joan fulfilled a passion to live closer to the land, working with others to provide for their common needs, and helping people find healing within a supportive environment away from many of the challenging circumstances they faced. Later, he taught at Sullivan County High School, after which his career path ultimately led to work with DuPont, where he excelled as an Engineering Program Manager. He moved to West Chester, PA in 1987 and retired from DuPont in 2006. In 2014, Bruce and Joan moved to Ephrata, PA, a few minutes from his daughter Amy and her family. He leaves behind a legacy of love, compassion, and a profound dedication to his faith, exemplified in Proverbs 3:5-6: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths”.

Music was a lifelong passion for Bruce, nurtured from the age of eight when he began playing the trumpet. His talent flourished throughout his life, and he cherished the joy of music, frequently attending orchestra and theater events and performing in the community. Beyond his love for music, Bruce was known for his playful sense of humor and ability to engage in deep conversations. He had a natural inclination for building relationships, whether hosting neighborhood open houses or lending a helping hand to those in need. His impact on those around him will be remembered fondly, as he was truly a bridge builder in relationships and brought out the best in others. Bruce will be greatly missed by his family, friends, and all who had the privilege of knowing him.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Ephrata Community Church’s Missions & Outreach fund or The Lancaster Symphony Orchestra, organizations whose mission and values were deeply important to Bruce.