Bruce Landheer

It is with unimaginable sadness that we announce the passing of Bruce H. Landheer (54) of Mason, OH on September 21, 2025. Bruce was a man filled with love for his family and friends. He had a way of making every person feel that they belonged and approached each day with unwavering optimism and a great sense of humor. His indomitable spirit, which never faded during his eight-month battle with pancreatic cancer, will be his enduring legacy.

Born June 6, 1971, Eleanor “Ellie” and the late Rix Landheer adopted Bruce at age 3 and a half. Among his very first English words was “baseball”, a telling sign of his lifelong love of sports. As a child, he relished time with his dad at their favorite fishing hole and these memories brought Bruce comfort at the end of his life. Bruce graduated with a BS in Industrial Design from Western Michigan University in 1994 and met his wife, Jamie, playing Ultimate Frisbee in Cincinnati. They married on November 10, 2001. Together they raised their sons Ty and Cade, deciding when the boys were young that Jamie would run the offense while Bruce ran the defense as a stay-at-home dad. He coached the boys’ baseball and football teams which brought him great joy and expanded his vast network of friends even further. The last 2 winters Bruce took his passion for coaching to the slopes, becoming a ski instructor at Perfect North. It is our greatest hope that each child he mentored carry on his love of the game. We hope all of you think of Bruce whenever you pet your dogs, catch a Seinfeld rerun, rip it off the tee, hit fresh powder, or raise a glass of bourbon.

Whether at his annual Michigan v. Ohio State football party, family week at the lake, or holding court from his hospital bed, Bruce was the consummate host. In this spirit, friends and family are invited to a celebration of Bruce’s life on October 4, 2025 at Heritage Club, 6690 Country Club Drive, Mason, OH 45040 from 4:00-6:00 PM. Memorial Tribute begins at 4:30 PM. To honor Bruce, please represent his favorite teams by wearing gear from the Lions, Tigers, Michigan, Tennessee, Kentucky or Mason. (Actually, any team except Ohio State!)

Those who wish to honor Bruce’s life and legacy are invited to donate to either the Mason Homerun Club or the Adaptive Ski Program at Perfect North. Mason Homerun Club: Venmo @Mason-Home-Run-Club or via check to 4581 River Thames Way, Mason, OH 45040. Adaptive Ski Program (Bruce Landheer’s Legacy Memorial) at Perfect North: https://secure.qgiv.com/for/brucelandheerslegacymemorial/. These funds will be used to carry forward his passions for Mason baseball with field improvements and adaptive skiing at Perfect North.

Bruce is survived by his wife Jamie, sons Ty and Cade; his mother Ellie and sister Lisa Kooi; mother-in-law Diane Dukat; sisters-in-law Susan (John) Marovich and Sandra (Michael Dichiaro) Dukat; brother-in-law David (Shannon) Dukat; nieces and nephews Jacob, Jared, Trey, Alexa and Joel Dukat, Mackenzie and Kacey Marovich, Mason Dichiaro, Josh (Joe) and Zach Kooi. He is preceded in death by his dad Rix Landheer and father-in-law Jim Dukat.

We would like to thank Lisa Kooi, Sandy Dukat and Hospice of Cincinnati for their expert teamwork and care. We are also grateful for the comfort so many other family members and friends brought to us in his last few weeks. In the end, none of us were ready for the game clock to run out. Rest easy Bruce, we’ve got it from here. Go Blue!