Robert Thomas Bruce's Obituary
Robert Thomas Bruce, age 74, of Fayetteville, AR, passed away Friday, August 9, 2024. He was born July 22, 1950, in Indianapolis, Indiana, son of the late Thomas Bruce and Juanita Dodson Bruce.
Robert was a graduate of Indiana University - Kelley School of Business with a Bachelor of Business Administration and Management, and Minors in Economics and Psychology.
He began his career with Ayr Way Stores in Indianapolis, Indiana. He then relocated to Arkansas to begin his 18 year position as an Executive Vice President at Wal-Mart Corporate where He was the industry leading authority on retail demand and supply chain integration.
Robert was known as the “Father of CPFR (Collaborative Planning, Forecasting and Replenishment)”, and Chairman of the VICS (Voluntary Interindustry Commerce Solutions)/CPFR subcommittee where he was chosen as an outside expert advisor to Alan Greenspan and the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. He then served as Senior Vice President, Supply Chain Risk Management at Marsh McLennan.
He continued his business acumen consulting for Hewlett-Packard as an IT Strategist. He founded Factory2Shelf, Inc, and was a Senior Partner of Retail Practice at DRS Retail Advisors, a Partner at Surgency-Benchmarking Partners, a Senior Vice President and Advisory Board Member at ChainLink Research, and finalizing his career as a Founding Partner at VCC Associates.
He worked tirelessly in his field.
Robert was an amazing husband, father, and brother. His passions were new technology, sports cars and anything sweet from his treat drawer(s). He was a Jaguar enthusiast and founded the Jaguar Club of Southwest Florida.
Everyone who met Robert knew he was the most genuine person. He has been described as kind, welcoming, smart, humble, business savvy, technical, protective, and a Cool Dude. Most of all, people who met him liked to just sit and talk with him. He was engaging, and always had something insightful or informative to share on any topic.
Robert is survived by his wife, Vicky Dene Hartley Bruce; his son, James Bruce; and sisters, Constance Birthright and Deborah Gant.
Cremation arrangements are by Nelson Berna Funeral Home.
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