Bruce W. Bitz

Bruce W. Bitz was born in Rapid City, S.D., Oct. 29, 1943. 
Bruce moved to Custer, S.D. in 1971 and lived there the remainder of his life. He graduated from Black Hills State and started his teaching career, which lasted over 30 years in Custer. 
In the summer months, he was employed at Jewel Cave where he spent over 30 years giving cave tours to tourists and locals alike.  When he could no longer negotiate the stairs inside the cave, he drove buses for Golden Circle Tours and worked for the Forest Service.
He often combined his love of music and the Black Hills by driving his 1966 Ford Bronco to many mountain streams where he could be found listening to Pink Floyd while casting a grasshopper fly on the end of a fly rod. 
His unquenchable thirst for knowledge and the pursuit of truth stayed with him throughout his entire life, and he shared it with anyone who would listen.
At 81, Bruce passed away June 16, 2025, in Rapid City. 
He is survived by his two sons, a daughter and three grandchildren who will miss him tremendously.
Per Bruce’s wishes, no funeral will be held. In lieu of flowers or donations to honor Bruce’s memory, the family suggests you learn something new about this incredible world of ours and share it with someone else, like he did.