Bruce Arnold

Bruce Arnold, 62, passed away at his home in West Des Moines on Saturday, 27, 2026 

He was born October 12, 1963 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. 

Bruce was a career firefighter and served as one of the original eight full time firefighters hired by the West Des Moines Fire Department in 1988. He spent three decades with the department and rose to the rank of Driver/Operator before retiring in 2018.

During that time, Bruce visited his son and daughter’s elementary school for fire drills, delighting their classmates with demonstrations of the fire truck’s capabilities and his gear. 

After his retirement, Bruce enjoyed snowmobiling and traveling across the country in his RV with his loyal dog, Lady. The dynamic duo visited places such as the Great Smoky Mountains and collected new friends all along the way.

Inspired by his career, Bruce and his late wife, Jocelyn, opened a bar called Ladder 13 in 2005. The community watering hole’s theme paid homage to firefighters. 

In the years that Bruce and Jocelyn ran Ladder 13, they created a welcoming space for patrons to gather, laugh and tell stories. The couple even kept its doors open on major holidays so everyone would have a place to go on those days.

Bruce was known for his down-home cooking skills. Every Sunday during football season, he’d feed bar goers with his famous chili, ham and bean soup or Italian beef sandwiches. 

He was also a wiz at preparing stuffed bell peppers, chicken enchiladas and beef and noodles.

Outside of the kitchen, Bruce was an animated storyteller. Among his favorite tales were ones of his hijinks, such as watching episodes of Jeopardy before his daughter got home from school so he’d know all the answers or deciding at the last minute to take over coaching of his son’s baseball team with his buddies.

Bruce was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Jocelyn Kuehl Arnold, and his mother, Constance Arnold.

He is survived by his son, Matthew (Alison) Arnold and his daughter Madison (Anthony) Walker as well as his brothers Steve Hansen and Mark (Jenni) Arnold, his sisters Darcie (Donna) Hansen and Kris Arnold and many nieces and nephews.

Memorial service details will be announced at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, those inclined can donate to the IAFF Foundation or Furry Friends Refuge.