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One day, in the future, it will be possible for people to gather in real time online to wish a long time coworker/friend well even if that person is living on the other side of the country. While that day is yet to come we have set up this blog so that you can say here anything you would like to say to Bruce on this, the occasion of his retirement from Travelers.
Well, Bruce... I'm actually very envious of you! I truly wish you a wonderful retirement and getting away from the "Ups & Downs" of insurance. Whatever part-time job you find, may it be gloriously stress-free.
ReplyDeleteI've enjoyed our friendship over the years and the few times I was able to join you at Indy. I hope that Tonya and I are able to make it to the Seattle area and visit you and Sue in the not-too-distant future. Until then... ride safe and don't worry--- be happy!
Later,
Tom Adams
Kansas City
Wow....what a career Bruce. It really puts it in perspective when you look at all of your business cards and the different titles therein! I wish I had the opportunity to work with you longer than I did. You were a wealth of knowledge:) I will always remember your kindness and 'back to reality talks'. I have already missed you since your move back to Seattle but am so happy for you. Back where you wanted to be and now, relaxed and hopefully carefree. Enjoy it Bruce. You deserve it. Blessings to you and Sue! Janet Marquardt in KY
ReplyDeleteHi Bruce,
ReplyDeleteBest wishes to you in your retirement. It was a pleasure working with you for the short time that I did. Enjoy your time away from the wild world of insurance! Take Care!
Jason Quesenberry
I wish you nothing but a fun and exciting life from here on out! You've earned it! So why are retiring AGAIN? Did you finally buy a real bike and you and the wife are riding off into the sunset?? Tried emailing you but no reply. Don't have your new home email. Keep in touch!! (livetoride99@comcast.net)
ReplyDeleteHey Bruce,
ReplyDeleteWelcome to the retirement life. I'm new at it myself having only 25 days or so under my belt but I think our timing was excellent.
Best wishes to you and Sue on your retirement and if you ever come to the other end of the country (Tampa FL) let Bob and I know, we'll tip a few with you.
Keep in touch - agoofy49@aol.com
Cheryl Pietrasz (Cleveland)
BRUUUUCCCCEEEEE! People don't retire that young, what do you think you are doing young man? It was great to work with you in Select, you were a calming influence with great marketing skills. From the day we met after the merger (with Sherri Norris in that Restaurant) to today I know you to be a true professional and a great family man; what else is there to aspire to? It was good to see you in Hartford last month, please keep me up to date on the fun things you are doing in retirement so I can be envious since I will be working until I drop. Best of everything to you and your family my friend, Don Drennen
ReplyDeleteBruce, congratulations on a well deserved retirement! And how great to be back home after so many years. Hard to believe it's been almost 17 years since I signed on as your Underwriter Trainee in Cleveland, but what a great friend and confidant I gained in the process. We hope you enjoy every day of your retirement and spend many of them on your bike - perhaps you'll run into Ivar the Engine Driver. From everyone in the Harrold household, we love you.
ReplyDeleteBruce, I remember the day you came to Birmingham to interview with Carmel. I knew that you were not an insurance clone because your hair was hanging well below your collar. You did not disappoint! You were a true "Rebel in an office chair." I see from the more recent pictures that "they" were never able to indoctrinate you. You look like you still have a heart in spite of your long insurance career. I am happy for you that you were able to retire so early. Also, jealous! I think you picked the wrong year to return to your roots in the West. We are having great weather in Alabama. Let us know if you ever head back this way. You know you will have to return one day to the Gulf Coast for a vacation. Please keep in touch. And tell Sue Hello!
ReplyDeleteAnn Cobb
acobb@mcgriff.com
It was a pleasure knowing you and working with you in Troy. Trading all of the information on the goods eats at Trader Joes. I wish you the best in the next part of your life.
ReplyDeleteJill Vincent
Troy, MI
Hey Bruce, Thank goodness for the Travelers/St Paul merger...our pathes would not have crossed, if not for that. It's probably a good thing we didn't meet in our younger years, we probably would have gotten into too much trouble.
ReplyDeleteI'm so happy that you were able to get back to WA, but I miss you a lot.
Plan on a visit during crab season. I want a feast at the beach. Deal?
You and Sue have a great time. You're a special friend....take care, Buddy.
Lisa Scarce
Mr. Bruce...it has not been the same without you in the Troy office - we all miss you terribly and now you are retiring! You are far too young for that! I'm incredibly jealous since I have a long long long time before I can retire : ) Best of luck to you and have a great time, my friend, you certainly deserve it! Please keep in touch.
ReplyDeleteAll the best-
Ms. Judnich
Bruce, It was so nice working with you in Troy. You fit in so well with Lisa and the Select gang. Your humanitarian spirit with Lighthouse will always be remembered. Have a great time during retirement! Keep in touch with us here in Michigan and let us know of your adventures.
ReplyDeleteSusan Weber
Troy, MI
Dear Bruce: Say it isn't so.....Retirement at your young age, NO WAY! You can't leave us behind! Oh well...wipe that smile off your face will you! On a more positive note, I am sincerely happy for you and Sue and wish you both well in life. You have been so much a part of my working life for many years and I want to say Thanks for always being there for me. Thanks for never changing and always being "Bruce". Have a wonderful life and enjoy! Your friend, Deb
ReplyDeleteBruce, I see that other people are jealous, retiring young, and me tooo! Enjoy that bike and also the other things that you like to do!
ReplyDeleteBruce: I remember just over a year ago when I was SO happy to hear you were "retiring" and going to Seattle - it was a job opening for me!!! I remember visiting with you all those year at GSW, talking about your kids - especially remember the stories about Sue making the dress for your daughters wedding!! I thank you so much for spending a couple of weeks with me to "show me the ropes" when I got to Travelers. You had some hard shoes to fill!! I think the first six months on the job, the only thing agents wanted from me was an update on YOU. I'm so happy for you and Sue - enjoy!! Maybe Ruby and I will make a road trip out West one day and if we do, we'll be sure to look you guys up.
ReplyDeleteAll the Best!!!
Deb Hopkins
Dad,
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your retirement! I can't wait to see what you do with yourself -- Mom thinks you should write a book, I think you should write a blog, but I bet you think you should take the bike out for a spin before even thinking of any of that... I wish you luck and a lot of interesting experiences in the future!
Love you a lot!
Liana
Bruce- how wonderful! I am so jealous! I am also jealous of all of the others than got to work with you much longer than I had the opportunity to. You are an exceptional person. We will all miss you being you, your sharp business acumen, and your always wise insight. We will all miss you and have a wonderful time out West!
ReplyDeleteMeghan Chisholm
Bruce,
ReplyDeleteI didn't get to know you very well being in Grand Rapids but you always went out of your way to come and talk to us. As an Aetna transplant into the Travelers umbrella world and also looking at 30 years Feb. 19 with the company I now just where you're coming from. I already am an Aetna retiree and look forward to the day of being a Traveler's retiree. Good luck to you and enjoy your life. Leslee Hardebeck
Bruce,
ReplyDeleteIt was great working with you. So happy for you. You're back home and now you're going to be able to enjoy it. Have to tell you I will always remember your story of the bicycle collision coming out of the McDonald's. Stay healthy and happy. All my best to you and your family.
Hi Bruce,
ReplyDeleteYou lucky lucky lucky dog!!!! I am so happy for you. I've got 5 more years (I hope!) however, if I don't get me bills paid off - it could be 10 more years - uggh!
Anyway, it has been my outmost pleasure to have worked with you and to have known you. I know you hated to leave Cleveland but how lucky we all were in Michigan when you joined us. Thanks for all your support and encouragement through the years.
Oh yes before I forget, you would have been proud this year of the flamingo Christmas tree, we thought of you when we were decorating and adding to the display!!!
My best wishes to you and Sue as you start the next chapter of you life.
I know you'll keep in touch - so, it's not like it's goodbye forever.
Enjoy your years of insurance freedom.
To you and Sue, best of luck, enjoy and happiness forever!
Terry Fuller
My Buddy Bruce,
ReplyDeleteI wish you and your wife the best of the best. I think back to the days when I could come down to the Select unit; vent and then turn around and get Renee Guha in a tizzy. The good old days. Please keep in touch and enjoy!!
Deb Ritter
All that I have to say is: "Sharer"? Could there BE a better last name for this man??! In a nutshell, Bruce is, if nothing else, a person as to whom the extension of a helping hand, the offering of an always-astute observation, or the well-placed and witty quip was part of the daily routine for anyone fortunate enough to be one of his colleagues. Our paths never crossed because of a claim (thank God, says Bruce) but somehow, whether it was our mutual appreciation for television classics (i.e., The Office, British version; Rome; Deadwood; many more to come), or perhaps Bruce's willingness to attend an office outing to "Chicago" (and I am NOT a musical person) led me to the quick realization that Bruce was a cool cat. I look at the adventure that Bruce and Sue are about to embark upon as being the benchmark for my own future: kids that are grown, and grown up well; a spouse with whom you truly enjoy spending time, after all of those years; and the health and sense of spontaneity--and pragmatism--that are key to an enjoyable retirement. God bless, Bruce, and although your leaving is definitely a loss for Travelers, I have a feeling that there are many other achievements that are yet to be accomplished for you, my friend!
ReplyDeleteBest,
Candace (& Jeff & those boys!)
Bruce:
ReplyDeleteAfter talking to you recently, it is very clear that you are ready for the next chapter in your life. However, based on the comments in this blog, many of us are clearly sad you are leaving - yet thrilled for you.
I went back through my files and found that we have been coworkers for well over 20 years. From the getgo, I could tell you were a man of your word with a tremendous amount of integrity and someone I could call friend.
What baffles me is how you can consider open wheel racing to be exciting. Let me know if you want to enjoy some real racing and we can head down to the Daytona 500.
Meanwhile, may the next stage be stress free and enjoyable as you deserve it.
Bruce Kaufenberg
(Auditor, Regional Director, Friend)