My Cousin Bruce Harlan “Chipper” “Chip “ Saltman
Some of my earliest experiences with my cousin Chip were when we were around 4 years old. We used to visit Flint regularly where he lived and became very friendly as cousins. In the 50s we spent many summers along with our cousin Rick and other family relatives at our cottage in East Tawas, MI. We would fish together, catch minnows that we would sell to buy toys, go to the drive-in movies together and many other fun experiences.
Chip had a next-door neighbor whose nickname was “Bugsy” and he used to drive us on bumpy car rides together. He would remove the back seat from his car, we would sit on the metal floor, and he would drive on gravel roads. We thoroughly enjoyed that time together and had lots of laughs.
I loved watching you tap dance, playing ping pong, tennis, playing the piano, etc. as you always approached them with a will to exceed, enjoyment and do well.
Later in our early teen years we developed a deeper relationship. We shared personal issues and helped each other as best we could. We went to parties together and occasionally shared double dates.
We enjoyed spending many holidays together particularly Passover with all of the delicious food as well as Thanksgiving.
During our early college years, we lost touch a little bit, however I was honored to have been invited to his wedding to Norva. Norva was probably the best thing that ever happened to Chip.
We always stayed in touch. I remember one time when he was traveling with Norva and some friends, that I drove down to Los Angeles International airport to meet him for 45 minutes before his departure. We enjoyed even the short times we spent together.
Chip was a great audience for my sense of humor and he always enjoyed hearing jokes from me on our frequent phone calls. In more recent years Chip, our cousin Rick and I, went on a couple of excursions together on what Rick titled “Cousins Gone Wild.” We went to the San Diego Zoo, Sea World, Old Town and many other places and had a wonderful time sharing and laughing together. The next time we traveled together we went to Aspen, CO and that was also a lot of fun just sharing and being together having lots of laughs.
Chip was warm, kindhearted, had a wonderful sense of humor, was compassionate and also a very caring and sensitive individual.
I shall miss talking to him, traveling with him, sharing experiences with him, hearing him laugh at my jokes, but most of all his love and friendship.
It has been said that you can choose your friends, but you can't choose your relatives. I'm happy that Chip was a relative and also very happy that we were dear friends.
May you rest in peace knowing that there were so many people that genuinely loved you and cared about you, all of the people whose lives you touched, friends, relatives and especially your loving wife Norva, daughter Jaimeson, granddaughter Presley, and son-in-law Reuben.
I love you and miss you.
Your cousin, Jeff
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