Condolences
My condolences to Bruce's loving family and to the entire F&D team.
It has been a joy getting to know him and working with him. He will truly be missed.
It is reassuring to know that the love and skill that he devoted to theater and the arts will continue through all of you and through everyone that he has guided and mentored.
Bruce has made a lasting imprint on theater and culture... both on Broadway and around the world. We can all be thankful that we have shared in his life and benefited from his gifts.
Much Love, Frank
I met Bruce in 1981, working at Theatre Calgary. He, Roger Busque and I shared house for a while before I married Tom Scheitel. I remember many a night that Bruce would be doing dishes with the headphones on and singing...loudly...to whatever tune happened to be playing in his ears. Unfortunately, Roger and I didn’t have headphones on. Actually, Bruce was best man at our wedding. The seeds of F&D were born over our dining room table with big dreams, lots of ambition (as well as a fair amount of scotch) and desire on both Bruce and Tom’s part to work for themselves and create something they actually wanted to do, and have fun doing it. To say it was a struggle in the early days would be an understatement but their work ethic, high caliber and quality of work slowly worked in their favour and by the time the Olympics came to Calgary in ‘88, they were well set to take the lead in building much of Opening and Closing ceremonies. This began the growth of what F&D is now.
Matthew, Colin and Jack, I’ve never met you, but I’m sure all three of you know how lucky you are to have this great big bear of a man with a truly huge heart as your father. He will be greatly missed.
Shelly Schwieder
I first worked with Bruce in 1980 at the Banff Centre during a crazy production summer. Reconnecting with him during the 1988 Winter Olympics and then started a long but intermittent connection with him and with F&D Scene Changes through many musicals, films and on a number of Disney entertainment projects. The phone would ring and Bruce would be on the line saying “C’mon, it’ll be fun”. It usually was.
Bruce was one of those larger-than-life people who impact one’s very existence. He was a remarkably intelligent and perceptive man whose instincts were to be trusted completely. Not to say we spared the head butting, but we were always able to laugh off the moment.
We worked well together and the result was a friendship that endured 40 plus years. I am forever thankful for that friendship and for the many memories.
My thoughts are with the F&D family and especially his boys at this moment and into the future.
Bryn Finer
My sincerest condolences to your sons and your family. I’ve known you for a short time Bruce and I wanted to thank you for all the love and support you gave to my daughter! Thank you!! You are an amazing person and will never be forgotten. God bless. Rest In Peace
My sincere condolences to everyone at F&D Scene Changes and to Bruce's family. I've had the pleasure of collaborating with Bruce for nearly 20 years on multiple productions around the world, but most notably has been our work on WICKED. The success of our show worlwide has everything to do with Bruce's determination for exacting detail and robust construction. He has set the example on exceeding expectations! We will miss him very much!
Love,
Ed Pierce
Back when Bruce and I were 10, maybe 12 years old, we discovered that hairspray would burst into a very satisfying flame when sprayed over a lit candle. We also discovered that if you wrote your name with it on the unfinished basement concrete walls of the family home at Joyce & Oliver, your name would also burst into flame. Best with the lights out.
It must of been the smell that tipped off Bruce's mom when she returned home. She seemed quite concerned.
Then there was the afternoon that Grief Point Elementary was evacuated when one of the rockets we were helping Len McKave build went off in class, but that's another story.
The early experience in special effects looks to have served him well.
Larry Robinson
South Surrey, B.C.
I will always remember Bruce spending time on the soccers fields caring for his children with the greatest amount of patience and care. The thoughtfulness and kindness he easily gave to all the friends of his sons who visited. Very sorry to know of the loss of your Dad. My deepest condolences to Matthew, Colin and Jack. Susanne, Alex, Eric and Victoria Vatne
I had the great pleasure of working with/for Bruce for about 4 months back when they were building the submarine for K19. I was a set deck driver and also Bruce’s personal driver for his lunch delivery, so I was fortunate enough to chat with him on a daily basis when I picked up his lunch. From the time I worked at F&D up until last year I would stop by on occasion and Bruce and Leytons doors were always open and welcoming. Bruce was a very nice man and will be sorely missed.. my condolences to all of his family, friends, co-workers.
Jim Barbaro
I knew about Bruce and some of his shenanigans well before I meet him..so, when I returned to Calgary I went over to meet him..at F & D...at the reception desk I hollered “Robinson “ that got his attention...alI I said was “Claire” sent me....and a big smile came upon his face...and he just kept smiling...what a great guy...it was my pleasure to have meet Bruce...and I would like to thank the family for sharing him with us. I am sending my deepest condolences & warmest wishes to his family & always remember that smile. Donna Rawlyck
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