Bruce Millikin Latimer

Bruce Millikin Latimer age 71, beloved husband for 39 years of Cindy Cover (nee Cover); loving father of Gracie Latimer; cherished son of Jack and Ellie (nee Millikin); dearest brother of John Latimer and Carolyn Latimer Welsh.

Bruce was born August 23, 1953, and died at home on July 22, 2025. Bruce was a paleoanthropologist who conducted fieldwork in Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, Israel and Russia. He earned his bachelor's degree from the University of Arizona, his master's degree from Case Western Reserve University and his doctorate from Kent State University. He dedicated his life's work to the evolutionary development of human walking and the comparative anatomy of primates. He was the Director of the Cleveland Museum of Natural History for 10 years. Bruce was the founding Director of the Center for Human Origins and a Professor in the Department of Orthodontics in the School of Medicine at Case Western Reserve University. Bruce enjoyed world travel, camping, canoeing, his dogs, reading, and playing music - concertina, banjo, harmonica, and penny whistle. He was knowledgeable about a plethora of topics and always had interesting facts to share. His storytelling abilities and humor were unmatched. 

He will be remembered for his contributions to the advancement of paleoanthropology and will be greatly missed by his family, friends and colleagues.

In lieu of flowers contributions may be made in memory of Bruce to Hospice of the Western Reserve, PO Box 72101, Cleveland OH 44192.

Celebration of Life Service WEDNESDAY August 27, 2025, at 1 PM, followed by a gathering of friends and family paying tribute to Bruce from 2-4 PM at THE DEJOHN FUNERAL HOME & CELEBRATIONS CENTER OF CHESTERLAND 12811 CHILLICOTHE ROAD (Rt. 306, just south of Mayfield Rd.).