COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (Oct. 8, 2021) – USA Volleyball sends its condolences to the family and friends of Bruce Wilde, who died on Oct. 2 at age 90 in Princeton, Idaho.
Wilde served as a volleyball referee for many years, officiating high school, Big 8 and Big 10, and even at the international level during the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. He also oversaw a USA Volleyball region that covered seven states at one time.
Wilde won the USAV George J. Fisher Leader In Volleyball Award in 1977 and the Wilbur H. “Wil” Peck Referee – Emeritus Award in 1994.
Volleyball was a family affair for the Wildes. Bruce’s wife Jackie, who passed away in 2018 at age 85, was a legendary high school volleyball coach in Fort Dodge, Iowa, and also worked with USA Volleyball.
Bruce and Jackie’s son Rod was a three-time All American setter at Pepperdine University before joining the U.S. Men’s National Team. Wilde also played with the U.S. National Team from 1982-84 and was set to be a member of the 1984 U.S. Olympic squad before suffering a broken leg shortly before the Games. He was later an assistant coach for the Men’s National Team.
Besides Rod, Bruce and Jackie are survived by their children Kevin and Cheryl as well as five grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
Read Bruce Wilde’s obituary on Tributes.com.