Bruce Lane Axelrod

There are certain people who make the world a little brighter, a little kinder, and a little lighter. Bruce was one of those people. There are many hearts that knew his love, which are broken now with his loss.
Bruce Lane Axelrod, 77, of Fort Collins, CO passed away during emergency heart surgery on October 30, 2023. Bruce was born on February 21, 1946, in Chicago, IL to David and Esther Axelrod. He met the love of his life, Belinda Tomlinson, in 2006 and became an integral part of her family.
Bruce graduated in 1965 from Evanston High School, Evanston, IL. As it was the Vietnam Era, he was set to be drafted so he joined the Marines and served in 1966 and 1967.
As Bruce had a strong interest and some experience in photography work, he considered himself to be a photographer. After a rough boot camp, he was selected to be a Marine Combat Photographer. He was assigned to the Battalion Landing Team, 3rd Marine Division, FMT Westpac; his base was the USS Okinawa. He was very proud of his service which set him on -the path for his career.
Bruce graduated from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago in 1973 with a BA teaching degree. Bruce's career highlight in teaching art and photography was working with high school and vo-tech students in SE Missouri schools. Bruce retired in 2002 and moved to Fort Collins, CO with his wife, Mary. They were divorced in 2006.
Bruce met Belinda in 2006 and they spent time traveling with Belinda's sister and husband. They visited many international countries and areas of the US. He was an easy travel companion but not one to rely on for directions! Many memorable and enjoyable times were shared amongst them.
One of his "happy" places was his garden and yard. Lots of his incentive was to talk to whomever walked by. He was well-loved and known in the neighborhood.
Bruce was a "kid magnet". This was especially evident in his role as Cub Master and Den Leader of grandson Carter's Cub Scout troop. Bruce then followed Carter to Boy Scouts and served as an Assistant Scoutmaster and Committee Member. Cub/Boy Scouts was a passion for him since his own son had been an Eagle Scout.
His true calling was to be a "Papa". His grandchildren were his pride and joy. He never hesitated to spend time with them – be it taking care of them as babies, toddlers, or school age. He attended school recitals, sporting events, kept them overnight while playing games, and loving on them every chance he got. And in turn, they thought Papa "hung the moon".
Left to cherish and honor his memory are his wife, Belinda Tomlinson; his son, Eric Axelrod, St. Louis area; children and spouses thru marriage Ryan (Candise) Tomlinson, Fort Collins, CO; and Scott (Sarah) Tomlinson, Fort Collins, CO. Six grandchildren claim him as the best Papa ever - Nathaniel and Annha Eshbaugh, Hugoton, KS; Carter, Kaisa, Jessie, and Phoenix Tomlinson, Fort Collins, CO; his sisters-in-law Joyce Axelrod, Chicago; Kathy (John) Stockton, Lafayette, CO; brother-in-law Lynn Enslinger, La Crosse, KS, plus numerous nieces and nephews.
Bruce was preceded in death by his parents, brother Lonnie, and sister-in-law Patty Enslinger.
A Celebration of Life is planned for Sunday, November 12th, 2023, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Windsong Estate Event Center, 2901 Saddler Boulevard, Fort Collins, CO – near Hwy 14 and 257. A brief commemoration service will start at 2:15 p.m. with light refreshments following the service.
In lieu of flowers, please consider any of the following:
• Reach out to a friend you haven't talked to and meet them for coffee.
• Go for a walk and enjoy nature.
• Find a new recipe and cook a fabulous meal – Bruce was a great cook.
• Watch something funny – Bruce always made it a point to watch something funny before bed.

If you do all of these and it's still not enough, please send a donation to –
• Boy Scouts of America Troop 96 Fort Collins, CO which is working on establishing a Bruce Axelrod Scholarship Fund to help with the boys' expenses.
o % American Legion, 2124 Country Rd 54G, Fort Collins, CO 80524
o Paypal: troop96treasurer@gmail.com
o Venmo @Troop96FortCollins
• A charity of your choice in his name