A native of Santa Barbara, left us a year ago. He was born in 1926, on the kitchen table at the family home at Gutierrez and Nopal. Thanks to hard-working parents, a strong work ethic was instilled in Bruno. After returning from his service in Japan during WWII, he plied the traditional trade of plastering until he went to work for the City of Santa Barbara Building Department. Initially hired as a plastering inspector, he eventually inspected all aspects of the building process. Serving in that capacity until his retirement, he was highly regarded in the local building industry for conscientiously working with contractors while enforcing building codes.
His own talents were honed by his experiences with tradespeople and his abilities served him well throughout his life. He took great pleasure in making and repairing almost anything. Starting with free flight model airplanes and continuing, first with customized cars and subsequently a series of homes for him and his family, he applied his skills and artistry to whatever he tackled.
His marriage to Patricia Derrer produced two children, David and Lisa. David predeceased Bruno in 1972. Lisa gave him two grandsons, David and Stephan, and now there are two great-grandsons, all living on the East Coast. After his divorce from Patricia, he married Christine Kindt in 1973. For the 38 years remaining to him, they both enjoyed their home, their family and their love of motorcycling. Bruno continued to ride his motorcycle until shortly before the discovery of the cancer that attacked his brain. Soon after that discovery, and in spite of the best in-home care that could be offered by Visiting Nurse and Hospice Care, as well as by his wife and daughter, the time came when he needed help that could be provided only at a residential hospice. The outstanding care provided by the wonderful staff at Sarah House inspired gratitude from everyone who cared about Bruno. When the cancer compromised his ability to speak, one of the last things he communicated was his appreciation for Sarah House, saying simply, “This sure is a nice place.”
We who remain echo his appreciation for the love that engulfed him and eased his passage. We would encourage anyone to join us in support of Visiting Nurse and Hospice Care @ http://www.vnhcsb.org as well as Sarah House @ http://sarahhousesb.org/how-to-help/donations/.
