Animal Lover

16 years ago

I thought some of you animal lovers might appreciate the story of friend Bruce's life as written up by a fraternity brother.

________________________________

Dr. Bruce *******, DVM ..... died

July 3rd in his Penn Valley, CA home from lung cancer. He always was an unusually cheerful, vibrant and positive "can-do" type of fellow in all matters. Bruce

served the animals and Koi fish of thousands of Silicon Valley and California clients in his ******* Hospital. He actively volunteered at ASPCA and Animal Rescue shelters. He was a significant benefactor to Cornell's Vet School and sponsor of the Cornell Vet school intern program.

Within one week after the Indonesian Tsunami, Bruce had emptied his Vet clinic of extra medical supplies/instruments and was on a Hospital Ship to Banda Aech as a volunteer Veterinarian to help the surviving animals. On the Hospital Ship he even assisted in triage and surgery on humans. On shore he helped set up an international animal treatment organization to help the local natives recover their economic lives via their live stock.

Fortunately Bruce and his wife attended the 2002 reunion at

Cornell. He made, after his terminal condition was known, the effort to travel east twice to visit Cornell and APD brothers one last time. He also skied high in the Sierras and installed new kitchen cabinets for his wife. He had

a very positive outlook on life.

(Last November, on the first farewell trip he and Bob **** drove from Philly to Ron *****'s Maryland home for a micro reunion with B A********and M****. Bruce and Bob drove up Ron's street, parked their car, entered the house and kitchen and loudly yelled "The axe murderers have arrived." But it was the home next door to Ron's. (Ding!))

Bruce candidly blamed his cancer on his youthful decision to smoke for 25 years - which he had ended in 1987. He urged us all to get chest CT scans now - because once lung cancer symptoms appear it usually is too late for treatment. Despite aggressive treatment at Stanford University,

Bruce died 11 months after symptoms appeared.

We lost a really good human and Brother.

Comments (13)

Full_Bloom
16 years ago
((Bug)) Bruce sounds like a fun & wonderful man and left this world a little better than when he came into it with his generosity and dedication... I know you were very fond of him Bug, from all you've told us about him. It's so hard when people we care about leave this earth. I don't know how you come to terms with, I still haven't. I just try to remember how *lucky* I have been to have have ever had these people I love in my life. Sounds like Bruce had quite a special circle of friends and lived a life worth living. I hope someone will be able to say that about me when the time comes! Thanks for sharing this with us Bug...it's nice to be reminded of all the good in people, after seeing too much news about the worst in people! Ei
flowerluvr
16 years ago
(((Marie))) I'm so sorry for your loss. He sounds like a wonderful, fun, and caring person. I hope happy memories can help you cope with the loss.
Brenda
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gardeningmary
16 years ago
GB - what a special person he was and how you must be mourning his loss. Bruce was the kind of person who touches many lives, making the world a better place. It sounds as though he will be missed by many but will live on in their hearts. It is all too easy to hold on to grudges and anger - reading about Bruce reminds us that kindness, generosity and a desire to help others are what really matter in life.

Mary
Marian_2
16 years ago
Marie, I'm so sorry for your loss. It is great that Bruce was able to retain his positive outlook and sense of humor, even after being diagnosed with terminal cancer. He was surely a special person.
michelle_zone4
16 years ago
My sympathies on the loss of your friend, he sounds like he was a special person.

Michelle
woodyoak zone 5 southern Ont., Canada
16 years ago
My condolences to you GB. Bruce sounds like a very special person indeed.
Lara Noles
16 years ago
Marie, I'm so sorry you've lost your friend. I've always found that animal lovers (and gardeners too) are the very best of humanity. It's people like Bruce that make a difference in the world. It's hard to understand and except when they're taken from us too soon, for me at least. I know you'll miss him.

Eden
Lara Noles
16 years ago
oops, make that 'accept'...

Eden
just_t
16 years ago
To be there for others----sounds like Bruce had a great attitude. I'm sure he will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

My sympathies to you on the loss of your friend.
T.
cynthia_gw
16 years ago
He knew how to live his life :) Very sorry for your loss GB, but wonderful that he was part of your circle of life.
Sue W (CT zone 6a)
16 years ago
So sorry, Marie.

Sue
chloehoover
16 years ago
Im so sorry, 'bug -- he sounds like quite a guy. You will have lots of fond memories, I'm sure and hopefully they will bring comfort to you eventually.

-Cindy
deanneart
16 years ago
So very sorry for the loss of your dear friend. He sounds like someone I'd loved to have known.

Deanne