R.I.P. Bruce Guttman

JohnL · 2025-12-23 12:44 a.m.

Anyone have real world contact with Bruce? He hasn't signed in since October. Hoping he's OK.

EDIT:
[quote="Doug Elliott"]I'm sorry to report that Bruce died on October 13, 2025.

I just had a chat with his widow. They were married for 53 years.[/quote]

Digidog · by **Digidog** » 2025-12-23 3:55 p.m.

I have also noticed his absence.

I hope to hear he’s OK.

jpwell · by **jpwell** » 2025-12-23 7:50 p.m.

I noticed too

Kbiggs · by **Kbiggs** » 2025-12-24 12:39 p.m.

Add my name to those concerned.

Doubler · by **Doubler** » 2025-12-24 7:50 p.m.

From what I could find with an Internet search, Bruce could be having increasing health problems. We wish him well.

JohnL · by **JohnL** » 2025-12-24 7:59 p.m.

[quote="Doubler"]From what I could find with an Internet search, Bruce could be having increasing health problems. We wish him well.[/quote]
That's why I'm concerned. His health has been declining for a while. If memory serves, he moved into some sort of assistive care facility some time ago.

At one time, there were people on the forum who knew him in the real world, but I'm not sure if they're still around. If there's no word by New Years, I will reach out to the Merrimack Valley Philharmonic.

Doug_Elliott · by **Doug_Elliott** » 2025-12-24 8:50 p.m.

I'm sorry to report that Bruce died on October 13, 2025.

I just had a chat with his widow. They were married for 53 years.

Burgerbob · by **Burgerbob** » 2025-12-24 9:00 p.m.

Rest in peace, Bruce. A mainstay of this and Tromboneforum for as long as I have been around them.

JohnL · by **JohnL** » 2025-12-24 9:16 p.m.

Thanks, Doug. He will be missed.

Doug, can you change the title of this thread to something appropriate?

Lhbone · by **Lhbone** » 2025-12-24 9:35 p.m.

Rest easy, Bruce. I’ll miss reading your contributions on here.

jpwell · by **jpwell** » 2025-12-24 9:56 p.m.

Anyone find an obituary

JohnL · by **JohnL** » 2025-12-24 10:03 p.m.

[quote="jpwell"]Anyone find an obituary[/quote]
I looked but did not find one.

hyperbolica · by **hyperbolica** » 2025-12-24 10:56 p.m.

Bruce will certainly be missed. Truly sorry to hear he has passed.

Digidog · by **Digidog** » 2025-12-25 3:02 a.m.

Oh….sad, sad news!

He will be very much missed and remembered.

blast · by **blast** » 2025-12-25 3:50 a.m.

That's so sad. He was at the core of the old forum and kept that constant contribution going here. A real stalwart who will be sorely missed.

Digidog · by **Digidog** » 2025-12-25 6:38 a.m.

[quote="Doug Elliott"]I'm sorry to report that Bruce died on October 13, 2025.[/quote]

If so, he was posting here into the last….

I feel taken aback from this; Bruce was such a constant presence here, and all of a sudden the void feels deafening.

GabrielRice · by **GabrielRice** » 2025-12-25 8:12 a.m.

In all the time we conversed online while living within about 100 miles of each other, I only met him in person once. I hope he received as much as he gave to the trombone community.

Geordie · by **Geordie** » 2025-12-25 9:06 a.m.

One of the constant lights here and previously in TTF has gone out. Sad news, and a loss to the community.

harrisonreed · by **harrisonreed** » 2025-12-25 9:27 a.m.

Bruce loved nothing more than welcoming new members to both this forum and the old one. I'm pretty sure he replied to every single new introduction post. He'll be missed.

CalgaryTbone · by **CalgaryTbone** » 2025-12-25 1:04 p.m.

Sad news - RIP Bruce. My condolences to his family.

Jim Scott

Kbiggs · by **Kbiggs** » 2025-12-25 1:52 p.m.

This is sad news. Bruce was a constant presence and a guiding force here on TC and on the old Trombone Forum. He will be missed. My condolences to his family.

Posaunus · by **Posaunus** » 2025-12-25 2:23 p.m.

Sad news indeed. At our last correspondence, Bruce invited me to play duets with him at his "nursing home" in New Hampshire during my annual visit to relatives nearby. I had not heard from him recently (now I know why :weep: ) so a few days ago e-mailed my holiday greetings.

R.I.P., Bruce.

timothy42b · by **timothy42b** » 2025-12-25 2:33 p.m.

Very sorry to hear that. I will miss him.

Vegasbound · by **Vegasbound** » 2025-12-25 2:42 p.m.

Sad news, another loss to our comminity!

Vegasbound · by **Vegasbound** » 2025-12-25 2:42 p.m.

Sad news, another loss to our comminity!

Scotzen · by **Scotzen** » 2025-12-25 4:16 p.m.

I am so sad to hear this. I remember reading in a post he mentioned his health was not great. When I was a moderator on TTF he was always great to work with.

Bach5G · by **Bach5G** » 2025-12-25 6:28 p.m.

Sad news, indeed.

RobL · by **RobL** » 2025-12-25 6:39 p.m.

He left an enormous legacy here and on TTF.

Tuba mirum spargens sonum

Per sepulcra regionum

Coget omnes ante thronum.

Mors stupebit et natura

Cum resurget creatura

Judicanti responsura.

The trumpet, scattering a wonderful note

through the tombs of every land,

will compel all to come before the throne.

Death will be astonished, and nature too,

when creation shall rise again

in response to his judgment.

WGWTR180 · by **WGWTR180** » 2025-12-26 8:30 a.m.

Oh no so sad. R.I.P. Bruce.

atopper333 · by **atopper333** » 2025-12-26 9:02 a.m.

Sad news…thoughts and prayers for him and his family…

TomWest · by **TomWest** » 2025-12-26 3:29 p.m.

I shall miss his tagline “Almost Professional”. RIP Bruce.

Doubler · by **Doubler** » 2025-12-26 9:15 p.m.

May his memory be an inspiration to all.

andym · by **andym** » 2025-12-26 11:03 p.m.

That’s so sad. I admire how much he gave to our community. My condolences to his family.

ngrinder · by **ngrinder** » 2025-12-27 12:08 p.m.

Very sad. He was such a frequent voice on here and so dedicated. RIP.

Savio · by **Savio** » 2025-12-27 3:43 p.m.

He was kind of the glue and father here. I miss him.

Leif

BrassSection · by **BrassSection** » 2025-12-27 7:20 p.m.

As a total rookie compared to many here, there are many I have great respect for in this group. Bruce was among the top with his insights. I will miss his contributions!

Jimprindle · by **Jimprindle** » 2025-12-27 9:55 p.m.

A wise gentleman trombonist, what more can be said.

His family will have more remembrances.

AndrewMeronek · by **AndrewMeronek** » 2025-12-28 4:06 a.m.

Sad news!

jorymil · by **jorymil** » 2025-12-28 5:01 p.m.

Bruce brought years of engineering expertise, a great wit, and friendly advice for two decades. He turned me on to buying my first endoscope (which I use with kids), and on different counterweight idea. I only hope I can contribute something somewhere of similar value.

MStarke · by **MStarke** » 2025-12-28 5:14 p.m.

Very sad news... I have read his name so many times that he seemed like a really familiar person. He really contributed a lot of time, wisdom and nerves to this community.

Dennis · by **Dennis** » 2025-12-28 8:07 p.m.

I'm very saddened to learn that Bruce has passed from our world. I will miss his sage advice and calm temperament. I know his family will miss him more. My sincerest condolences to them.

Gfunk · by **Gfunk** » 2025-12-28 8:26 p.m.

I’m really sad to hear about Bruce’s passing. The silence without him here has been felt. Bruce was a big part of the welcoming community here. His insight and time he offered here will be sorely missed. My condolences to his family.

Macbone1 · 2025-12-29 8:54 a.m.

Very sorry to hear this. He was a good friend and loved the trombone and music so much.

VJOFan · by **VJOFan** » 2025-12-29 7:58 p.m.

Very sad to hear this. I will truly miss his presence.His humanity came across, even in a digital space.

SteveM · by **SteveM** » 2025-12-30 3:39 a.m.

If there was one person who could be said to represent the old Trombone Forum and the new Trombone Chat, it was Bruce. I remember how welcoming he was when I requested to join the Forum many years ago. And when, after I had received many sarcastic and negative responses to my posts on the old Forum (things sometimes got a little out of hand there, and I seem to have a knack for saying the wrong thing), I emailed Bruce to tell him I wanted to terminate my account, he persuaded me, with much kindness, to wait and see if I felt differently. I've been happy to mostly just read the forums since then.

Bruce's knowledge of various aspects of manufacturing, metals and chemistry often added a great deal to technical discussions. But, even more importantly, on both forums, Bruce was often the first to respond to questions from beginners, usually with some very down to earth, common sense advice. I'm sure he helped many aspiring trombonists to move in the right direction.

I hope there is someone here who can send these appreciations of Bruce to his family so that they can know how much he meant to his fellow trombone players. Thank you Bruce!

slidesix · by **slidesix** » 2025-12-30 7:01 p.m.

I am sad to hear of Bruce's passing. Bruce's patience and willing to share with everyone--both beginning players and advanced professionals--spoke to Bruce's passion and deep knowledge for all things music. Bruce was deeply respectful to everyone who passed his path. He will be missed. I send my condolences to his widow and his family. May he rest in peace.

DCIsky · by **DCIsky** » 2025-12-31 12:17 p.m.

I was definitely way too young and immature when I joined the original Trombone Forum. Despite this, throughout all of our interactions, Bruce was such a kind and genuine person. I'm happy to see that he's touched so many people's lives in this community, and he'll be missed dearly.

TheConnArtist70H · by **TheConnArtist70H** » 2026-01-01 1:57 p.m.

I too was so shocked and saddened to hear of Bruce's passing.

Like many members, I didn't know him personally but for the short period of time that I've

been a member, Bruce was always very understanding and the first to jump in and support me and

others whenever help was needed.

Such a shame indeed.

RIP Bruce.

Doug_Elliott · by **Doug_Elliott** » 2026-01-01 2:10 p.m.

I met Bruce at least a couple of times.

Yesterday I sent his widow all the text of this remembrance thread. I doubt she reads this forum.

TheConnArtist70H · by **TheConnArtist70H** » 2026-01-01 2:16 p.m.

Doug - Such a nice gesture for you to have done this, I'm sure his Wife will be deeply touched

by a lot of the nice comments towards Bruce.

CalgaryTbone · by **CalgaryTbone** » 2026-01-01 9:47 p.m.

[quote="TheConnArtist70H"]Doug - Such a nice gesture for you to have done this, I'm sure his Wife will be deeply touched

by a lot of the nice comments towards Bruce.[/quote]

Yes - thanks Doug!

JS

JTeagarden · by **JTeagarden** » 2026-01-02 9:53 p.m.

I am sorry to hear this, he had great insights in terms of alloys, plating, all thing metallurgical; he will be missed.

stewbones43 · by **stewbones43** » 2026-01-04 12:23 p.m.

Very sad news. He was a friend I never met.

Cheers

Stewbones43

Geordie · by **Geordie** » 2026-01-04 1:54 p.m.

[quote="Doug Elliott"]I met Bruce at least a couple of times.

Yesterday I sent his widow all the text of this remembrance thread. I doubt she reads this forum.[/quote]

Very kind and thoughtful thing to do - thank you.

Kbiggs · by **Kbiggs** » 2026-01-04 3:56 p.m.

[quote="Doug Elliott"]I met Bruce at least a couple of times.

Yesterday I sent his widow all the text of this remembrance thread. I doubt she reads this forum.[/quote]

Thank you.

hyperbolica · by **hyperbolica** » 2026-01-05 10:39 a.m.

It's going to take a while to get used to this place without him. Someone to greet newcomers and respond quickly to the faq type questions. Funny how one guy had such an outsized impact.

claf · by **claf** » 2026-01-05 1:11 p.m.

The silence is deafening.

tbonesullivan · by **tbonesullivan** » 2026-01-13 1:12 p.m.

Oh wow, this is very sad to hear. He was a constant presence here and at the old forum. He will definitely be missed, and at the very least, this forum and the archive of the old one preserve a bit of the great work he did.

If I recall he did have students, so hopefully if his widow needs any help finding new homes for his horns, she will easily be able to find it.

robcat2075 · by **robcat2075** » 2026-01-16 12:50 a.m.

Well, that is an unhappy loss. My condolences to his family and friends. He's been around and chiming in on threads for as long these forums have existed.

Whenever someone died in our church the minister would begin by saying "yet another reminder that on this Earth we have no eternal city." That it is.

Rest in peace, Bruce.

jjenkins · by **jjenkins** » 2026-01-20 6:32 p.m.

Sorry to learn of his passing. He contributed greatly to this forum (old and current) for so long. I had begun to wonder about him after not seeing his name come up for a while.

Thank you, Bruce. Rest well.

Cotboneman · by **Cotboneman** » 2026-01-23 9:32 p.m.

This is very sad news. May he R.I.P. I enjoyed his posts, having been a member here since the old Forum days. Irreplaceable loss.

Quick Links

Instruments

Marketplace

R.I.P. Bruce Guttman