I met Bruce Parker at Palmer College of Chiropractic in Davenport, IA in 1973. We both were from San Diego, so that commonality was the catalyst for a friendship that spanned decades. Bruce was a great guy, fun to be around and a natural born entertainer. He had the gift of gab, and people naturally gravitated to him.
We were roommates in chiropractic college and then again when we returned to San Diego. We rented a third story condo on Sail Bay with a a private dock. Bruce was a gifted water-skier, and had a nice ski boat. We had fun times skiing the early morning glass on the Bay and later on the Colorado River.
Bruce opened a practice in Pacific Beach and we both started our chiropractic careers in that office at Garnet and Bayard. It was heady times.
When I married my starter wife in Davenport in 1975, Bruce was my best man. He did a commendable job in that role, offering to hide me in a trunk bound to South America. I should have accepted the offer - that marriage wasn't very sticky. So Bruce and I spent the first few years in practices as happy go lucky bachelors. The ladies seemed to like him - he wasn't exactly lonely. He went through a few young maidens... quite a few, in fact.
I introduced Bruce to Linda Schmidt, who was to become his wife. Linda and I had gone to the same high school, class of 1968, where she was a popular classmate for her sunny personality and her good looks. Everyone was delighted they got together.
I got remarried, and over the years the four of us had lots of laughs and good times. New Year's Eve parties, ski trips to Mammoth, dinners out - Bruce was always good for some entertaining times.
Like anyone else who knew him well, Bruce left an indelible impression on me. I could go on for hours about the impact he had on my life. He was an unforgettable guy.
Rest in peace, my friend.
Perry