=====Since Bruce certainly deserves recognition, I'll do my best. Bruce & I were classmates and neighbors growing up on Date St. in B.C. Our typical parents were Fathers who worked in the trades and stay-at-home Mothers. Bruce was small in stature growing up, but I would learn he was an intellectual giant. Guess we were Mutt & Jeff buddies. We were both invited to go thru all 4 of our high school years in Jim Nelson's inaugural advanced math class. Despite minimal effort, Bruce ranked with the best in the class. Pretty sure I was a tier or so below. Of course, there are many memories of those early days, but I'll keep them short.
Throughout many years following graduation, we stayed in contact. I went to college in Georgia & I believe Bruce went to UNLV. Our paths went almost in opposite directions after BCHS when Bruce landed a job at Hoover Dam, where he excelled as an apprentice machinist. He later transferred to Hungry Horse Dam, where he worked alongside Sheril Helton (BCHS' 61), also an excellent machinist. I'm sure he'd mastered the trade before retiring from the Bur of Reclamation. Afterward, there followed work in the private sector. I later saw where he and Sheril had both retired to Bull Shoals, Ark. I was envious that his last address wasn't Boise. His humor and company would have been welcome. The following is a taste of that humor.
It's a hilarious story of Bruce's airplane trip to attend my Reno wedding in 1974. He was walking up the outdoor tarmac stairs to board the airplane. One step up from him was a rather portly woman whose dress was tangled up in the 'rear.' Being courteous, Bruce politely pulled it loose for her. After serving him a verbal outburst, she turned to go on up the stairs. As a way of apology, Bruce pushed the dress back in where he'd found it! Fortunately, he did manage to stay on the flight. However, I've long forgotten how he managed to talk his way out of being refunded his ticket money. I still have to laugh when I recall that one.
I wish I had more to share...but one day, it's over, and now it is too late to catch up. R.I.P. Bruce, I was genuinely privileged having you as a friend.
Bill Lawellin (1962)
=====Since Bruce certainly deserves recognition, I'll do my best. Bruce & I were classmates and neighbors growing up on Date St. in B.C. Our typical parents were Fathers who worked in the trades and stay-at-home Mothers. Bruce was small in stature growing up, but I would learn he was an intellectual giant. Guess we were Mutt & Jeff buddies. We were both invited to go thru all 4 of our high school years in Jim Nelson's inaugural advanced math class. Despite minimal effort, Bruce ranked with the best in the class. Pretty sure I was a tier or so below. Of course, there are many memories of those early days, but I'll keep them short.
Throughout many years following graduation, we stayed in contact. I went to college in Georgia & I believe Bruce went to UNLV. Our paths went almost in opposite directions after BCHS when Bruce landed a job at Hoover Dam, where he excelled as an apprentice machinist. He later transferred to Hungry Horse Dam, where he worked alongside Sheril Helton (BCHS' 61), also an excellent machinist. I'm sure he'd mastered the trade before retiring from the Bur of Reclamation. Afterward, there followed work in the private sector. I later saw where he and Sheril had both retired to Bull Shoals, Ark. I was envious that his last address wasn't Boise. His humor and company would have been welcome. The following is a taste of that humor.
It's a hilarious story of Bruce's airplane trip to attend my Reno wedding in 1974. He was walking up the outdoor tarmac stairs to board the airplane. One step up from him was a rather portly woman whose dress was tangled up in the 'rear.' Being courteous, Bruce politely pulled it loose for her. After serving him a verbal outburst, she turned to go on up the stairs. As a way of apology, Bruce pushed the dress back in where he'd found it! Fortunately, he did manage to stay on the flight. However, I've long forgotten how he managed to talk his way out of being refunded his ticket money. I still have to laugh when I recall that one.
I wish I had more to share...but one day, it's over, and now it is too late to catch up. R.I.P. Bruce, I was genuinely privileged having you as a friend.