Bruich was born in Kearney, Nebraska in 1947 to Anton and Rita Bruich. The family moved to Pico Rivera, California in 1959. Bruich attended and played football for Cantwell High School, graduating in 1965. In 1968 he married Cathy Cendejas. Married for over 50 years, the couple has raised three children, Kristen, Kyle, and Kurt, all of whom have gone on to become educators. Kurt is also a successful head football coach at Citrus Valley High School in Redlands, California.
