Bruce was born as John Bruce Bernhardi to John and Margaret Bernhardi om August 5, 1937. If he had lived until his birthday he would have been 85 years old.
In high school he was in the band for 4 years, a varsity club member for 3 years, a member of the Telescope staff in his junior year, played football for 3 years, played basketball for 3 years, baseball for 3 years and was on the track team for 4 years. He wore jersey number 22 for basketball and football. I wonder when he found time to study.
After high school he attended Northern Arizona University where he played football from 1955 to 1958. In 2008 Bruce was inducted into Northern Arizona University’s Hall of Fame.
Stating in 1965 Bruce worked as a football coach at Sherman E. Burroughs High School in Ridgecrest, C.A
Bruce’s brother, Lee, was in the class of 1958 and his sister, Marcia, was in the class of 1960. Their father, John, worked in AP&CC’s village maintenance.
You can read Bruce’s obituary here:
https://news-ridgecrest.com/bruce-bernhardi-a-lifetime-of-inspiration-and-a-lifetime-of-legacy/
I spoke with Bruce back in 2007. I lost my father, Larry Burke, when I was just 13 and wanted to know more about him. Bruce was kind and had a lot of good stories. I cam across this hoping to have another conversation with him since I enjoyed the last so much.
Sorry To hear about bruce I was a few years behind lee in school but bruce held the high jump record at 6 ft 2 inches I tied it in 1962 before the fosbury flop came along!
My condolences to the family
I wouldn’t have wanted to try the Fosbury Flop into that pile of straw we had for a landing.
You may be write about that Dave!
Our sympathies for the entire family. Knew during the Trona years, love watching him play ball or run track. Knew the family well back then. In Lee’s class at Trona!