In memoriam

[OldKat]

I said farewell to a dear friend today. Dr. Bruce Wayne Ueckert was one of the first people I met when we moved across the Brazos River 24 years ago next month. He owned a hardware store in the town where we now live. Restoring our 1918 model home put us in frequent contact with all of the local merchants involved in anything related to construction or remodeling. Bruce was always one of the most sincerely interested in our project and helping us. He often referred us to competitors when he couldn’t provide what we needed.

When I was introduced to him I was told he was a “retired” veterinarian. That was only partially true; in fact he was a “former veterinarian”. Bruce had been forced to sell his veterinarian practice at an early age due to health problems. He experienced a massive heart attack at age 35. The stress of that business was too much for his bum ticker. When I met him 14 years later he had already undergone 2 of his eventual 4 open heart surgeries.

Did you ever meet a truly warm person, one that always made you feel special? That was Bruce Ueckert. Because he was our friend we were able to quickly penetrate the insular nature of small town, German-American Texas. That isn’t always easy.

Bruce was an avid sports enthusiast, from supporting his alma mater Bellville High School Brahmas, his Texas A&M Aggies, or any team involving his grandchildren. He was active in several Christian organizations; Bellville United Methodist Church, Community Bible Study, Brazos Valley Emmaus Community and others that I probably don’t know about. He was also involved in just about every charity that came asking for his support.

He and his wife, Janie, sponsored me and later my wife, Donna, when we participated in the Christian leadership training through the Emmaus Community. The weekend that Donna attended the training Bruce had to undergo emergency open heart surgery. The following Monday night he called and apologized that he and Janie had not been able to drive her to the retreat center for her “Walk” (that is what these events are called), because he was in the hospital recovering from his surgery! That is the kind of person he was. When Donna and I left the church we both attended to help build a new, non-denominational church in our community there were several people that questioned why we would do that. Bruce never did. He was always a positive force.

He was diagnosed with cancer some year or so back and was ultimately unable to overcome it. I always thought it was his heart that would give out first. However, as weak as his heart was it didn’t mean that he didn’t have a big one. He was 73 years young this past month. Bruce will be greatly missed in our community.

[near horse]

I’m truly sorry for your loss OldKat. It sounds like your community will be missing him deeply as well. May your pain pass soon.

[dominiquer60]

I feel your pain OldKat, I just lost two of my poultry mentors within the same 5 days. They were both very dedicated men that were positive role models to the thousands of children and adults that they have influenced. My favorite mentor passed about this time 5 years ago, what is it about this time of year? Another dear friend of 93 is about to under go gall bladder surgery, I keep telling him that I will see him when I get home which is after the surgery. I know the risk is high but so are my hopes of sharing some quality time together when I go back up north. OldKat I hope Bruce, Don, Ed and Dick are all at peace and that our hearts mend quickly.

Be Well,

Erika

[OldKat]

Geoff and Erika,

Thank you for your kind words. We really will miss that guy; he was one of a kind.

Stephen R.

[Author]

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