Bruce LeRoy Christensen, 79, peacefully passed away November 18, 2022 at his home in Orem, Utah. Bruce was born in Ogden, Utah, April 26, 1943 to Wilma Clarice Olsen and LeRoy Christensen. He grew up in Clearfield, Utah, before attending Brigham Young University, where he met his sweetheart, Barbara Decker. The two were later married June 17, 1965, in Mesa, Arizona.

Bruce served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to Brazil, from 1962 to 1964. It was on his mission that he met Arch Madsen, founder of Bonneville International, who would later introduce Bruce to the world of broadcasting through his first job as a reporter for KSL. While working full time at KSL, Bruce earned a bachelor's degree in journalism from the University of Utah in 1968. He and Barbara moved to Chicago, where Bruce worked at WGN News as a sports writer and producer while earning his master's degree from Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism in 1969.

Bruce and Barbara moved back to Utah and KSL where Bruce worked as a news reporter and producer. In 1970, they moved their small family to Provo, where Bruce began a new job in the public communications department at BYU. In 1972, Bruce became the director of broadcast services for BYU, managing both KBYU-TV and KBYU-FM, the television and radio stations on campus. In 1979, he became the broadcast services director and general manager of KUED and KUER, the public television and radio stations at the University of Utah.

In 1982, Bruce and Barbara moved their family to Washington DC, where Bruce served as the second president of the National Association of Public Television Stations, now known as APTS. In 1984, he was chosen to serve as president and CEO of the Public Broadcasting Service. As one who had worked his way up the ranks through the public television system, Bruce was keenly aware of the needs of those he served and made it a point to listen to many viewpoints. Bruce was well respected and led PBS for nearly ten years, until he announced his resignation in 1993.

Bruce and Barbara then returned to Utah and from 1993-2000, Bruce served as the dean of the College of Fine Arts and Communications at BYU. He later served as a senior vice president at Bonneville International and president of KSL until his retirement in 2009. He briefly came out of retirement for one year to serve as the interim dean of the College of Fine Arts at Utah Valley University.

Throughout his career, Bruce was looked to as a leader and mentor, and served on the board of directors for many charitable, civic and professional organizations. He was instrumental in many ground-breaking media projects to provide educational opportunities through various media outlets. Bruce was well-loved by those with whom he worked and associated, and was known for his wisdom. As a member of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Bruce served in many leadership capacities and enjoyed teaching about the gospel of Jesus Christ. He was an avid reader and had many hobbies including photography, art, music, theatre, bike riding, tennis, golf, gardening, target shooting and spending time with family.

Bruce is survived by Barbara, his sweetheart of 57 years, his children, grandchildren, brothers, in-laws, nieces, nephews, and many beloved friends and co-workers. Funeral Services will be Saturday, December 3, 2022, 11:00 am in the Park Stake Center, 195 West 300 South, Orem. Family and friends may visit Friday evening from 6:00 – 8:00 pm at Walker Sanderson Funeral Home, 646 East 800 North, Orem; or Saturday morning from 9:30 – 10:30 am. Interment will be in Orem City Cemetery, 1520 North 800 East, Orem. Those who are unable to attend may view a live broadcast of the service online at www.walkersanderson.com where condolences and memories may be shared.