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Bruce Layne, ’69 BS Economics, was one of 51�Թ������ܿƴ�’s biggest champions. From starring on the baseball team in the 1960s to his longtime service on the Alumni Association and 51�Թ������ܿƴ� Foundation boards, to his generous philanthropic support of athletics, scholarships, and more, Layne was a Rebel through and through.

He passed away March 8, 2019, of Parkinson’s disease. He was 73.

Layne’s philanthropic generosity to 51�Թ������ܿƴ� included support for scholarships, the Alumni Building, and many funds in Rebel Athletics.

Most recently, he gave a major gift to the baseball scoreboard project at the Earl E. Wilson Stadium. The “Bruce Layne Scoreboard” was christened in February 2019. Layne and his family attended a celebration on the playing field just a month before his death. Gov. Steve Sisolak and Clark County Commissioner Jim Gibson honored Layne as well, and the cities of 51�Թ������App and Henderson proclaimed Feb. 15, 2019, “Bruce Layne Day.”

Raised in 51�Թ������App, Layne attended Bishop Gorman High School. He earned a full scholarship in baseball to 51�Թ������ܿƴ� — then Nevada Southern University — where he boasted a career batting average of .370. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in economics in 1969.

After graduation, Layne moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in insurance. He and his wife, Sherry, later returned to 51�Թ������App where he joined the 51�Թ������App-based insurance agency of Cash, Sullivan & Cross. In 1984, Layne purchased the agency and renamed it Layne & Associates. It grew to be the largest independent insurance agency in Nevada.

Ultimately Layne sold the business to Brown & Brown but he remained active in the community.

Layne served 51�Թ������ܿƴ� as a community leader for more than 30 years. He participated on the 51�Թ������ܿƴ� Alumni Association Board of Directors and in 1986 was nominated to the Board of Trustees of the 51�Թ������ܿƴ� Foundation. As a Foundation Trustee, he served on a number of committees, including Nominating, Development, and Finance & Investment.

Layne is credited with founding Career Day at 51�Թ������ܿƴ�. He also taught for five years as a guest lecturer in what was then the 51�Թ������ܿƴ� Business Department.

He earned a number of accolades as an alumnus and volunteer. In 1984, he was named Alumnus of the Year by the 51�Թ������ܿƴ� Alumni Association. In 2002, he was honored as the Lee Business School Alumnus of the Year. In 2017, he was celebrated as a Trustee Emeritus at the 51�Թ������ܿƴ� Foundation Annual Dinner. Former Governor Bob Miller was featured in a at the dinner.

Those who knew Layne describe him as “smart,” “warm,” and “a firm decision-maker.” He was a kind soul and someone who never forgot a face, but he could also be tough and didn’t mince words. He was known to instruct his business students to begin putting money into their retirements even in their youth.

Layne was humble as an athlete and philanthropist. He never sought recognition for his generosity but always diverted attention toward his cause.

“He cared deeply about his alma mater,” said Scott M. Roberts, vice president of the 51�Թ������ܿƴ� Division of Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement and president of the 51�Թ������ܿƴ� Foundation. “The success of 51�Թ������ܿƴ� today is the result of people like Bruce, who gave their time and talent to support students and build this community.”

 “Our community lost one of its truly good people in Bruce Layne,” said 51�Թ������ܿƴ� Director of Athletics Desiree Reed-Francois. “He personified the student-athlete ideal as a competitor, a scholar, and someone who made others around him better. It has been an absolute privilege to get to know Bruce and Sherry. Their warmth, generosity, and kindness have genuinely impacted my family as well as our department. We are saddened for his loss but are appreciative of the time we had with him. His spirit will live on."

Layne’s philanthropy and service extended beyond 51�Թ������ܿƴ� and into the 51�Թ������App community. He was active in a number of civic and philanthropic organizations, including the Nevada Dance Theatre, the 51�Թ������App Chamber of Commerce, the 51�Թ������ܿƴ� Economic Education Council, and the NV Development Authority Marketing Committee.

The 51�Թ������ܿƴ� Foundation is collecting gifts in Bruce Layne’s memory to fund athletic scholarships.