Bruce Lawler Meyer
Sunday, January 3, 1954
Date of Death:
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Age:
57 years old
Sunday, January 3, 1954
Date of Death:
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Age:
57 years old
Sunday, January 3, 1954
Date of Death:
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Age:
57 years old
Bruce Lawler Meyer
Bruce Lawler Meyer, age 57, passed away unexpectedly of natural causes on Wednesday June 29th 2011 at his home in Bemidji. Bruce was born on January 3, 1954 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester to Robert and Beatrice Meyer. He graduated from Mayo High School in 1972 and attended Rochester Community College. Bruce was a 1977 Cum Laude graduate of Winona State University and ultimately completed his Masters in Business Administration in 1980. Upon obtaining his MBA, he was employed as an assistant manager at Alco Discount Stores in Portales, New Mexico before returning to Minnesota and attending law school at William Mitchell College of Law in St. Paul, obtaining his Juris Doctorate in 1986. Bruce was proud to have written for the Law Review while at William Mitchell.
Bruce worked as a Realtor in Rochester from 1978 to 1980. He was an insurance adjuster with GAB in Kankakee, IL from 1980 to 1981. He worked at North American Life and Casualty and at the Minneapolis law firm of Sahr, Kunert and Tambornino before coming to Bemidji. Bruce came to Bemidji in 1989 and joined Woodke Law Office as an associate. In 1995 he became a shareholder in the firm and with Robert Woodke, entered into a partnership with Mike Brouse, forming the new firm: Brouse, Woodke, and Meyer, P.L.L.P. He remained a shareholder until his death.
Bruce was a former member of the Bemidji Jaycees and Bemidji Lions Club. He enjoyed brewing homemade beer and was a member of the Boreal Brewers Club in Bemidji. Bruce was an Eagle Scout and occasionally volunteered to help with district Boy Scouting events. Bruce enjoyed traveling both in the United States and abroad. He was an avid down-hill skier and most winter weekends he could be found on the slopes of Buena Vista. He also took trips to the Western United States to enjoy his love of skiing. When weather was warmer he often spent time at Lake Bemidji or Itasca State Park. An avid reader, Bruce could be found perched on a bench with a good book most evenings or weekends.
He deeply loved the outdoors and from a young age, enjoyed fishing, hunting, camping, boating on the Mississippi, and traveling. He especially loved visiting his family in Rochester.
Bruce is survived by his mother Beatrice Meyer of Rochester, a sister, Bonnie (Robert) Schreader of Oronoco, two brothers, Brian (Cheryl) Meyer of Rochester and Brad (Dolores) Meyer of Caramel, IN, Nieces, Nicole, Sarah and Valerie Schreader and Erin and Emily Meyer and nephews: Josh, Travis, and Drew Meyer. He is preceded in death by his father and grandparents.
A memorial service for Bruce will be held on Saturday, July 9th, 2011 at 10:00AM at the original Macken Funeral Home Chapel with Fr. Kevin Connolly Officiating. Visitation will be held one half-hour prior to services at Macken Funeral Home.
Macken Funeral Home is in charge of Arrangements
Online condolences may be given at www.mackenfuneralhome.com
Condolences
The family of Bruce Lawler Meyer has received the following condolences.
DEAR BEA AND FAMILY: WE WERE GONE ON VACATION AND DIDNT HEAR UNTIL WE RETURNED. MY NEIGHBOR IS MARK WILSON AND HE ACTUALLY INFORMED ME. HAVENT SEEN BRUCE SINCE SCHOOL DAYS BUT REMEMBER ALL THE DAYS AND NIGHTS IN THE S.E. NEIGHBORHOOD. REMEMBERING SCOUTS AND ESPECIALLY THE TIMES SPENT AROUND BEAR CREEK. I STILL HAVE A PICTURE OF BRUCE ,KENT PETERSON AND MYSELF DRESSED UP FOR HALLOWEEN. I WILL NEVER FORGET ALL THE GOOD TIMES WITH THE MEYER FAMILY. SINCERELY MARTY STUBSTAD
To the Meyer family, I am distress to hear the news of my best friend growing up in Rochester. I will always remember Bruce as my card playing buddy around your dinning room table on many an evening. We had many good times as we progressed though scouting together and going up north camping. He did me the honor of accepting my invitation to be a groomsman in my wedding 30 years ago and sadly we lost contact over the years. Distance and time prevent me from joining in remebering Bruce in person but I surely will be with you in spirt tomorrow as you remember his life and how he touched all of us.
Bill Higgins
My dear brother Bruce,
I will forever miss you. My earliest memories are of you and I together playing at the grandparents' houses. I always thought there would be time to make sure you knew that I loved you and thought that you were a great guy. You have always been a man of intelligence, integrity and principle.
I have always been so proud to say "my brother Bruce, the lawyer".
With loving memories,
Bonnie
My heart hurts knowing that I never got to say the things to Bruce that I could have. No one ever thought that we'd never have the chance to see him again. So Bruce, although you lived up in Bemidji and we didn't come in contact that often, know that I loved you and was very proud that my uncle was a lawyer. I wish we could have chatted more about your travels/my travels, I wish we could have talked about how well you were doing keeping in shape (you looked great the last time I saw you and I should have told you that), I wish we could have gotten one more game in of Trivial Pursuit (I don't care for the game but I know you did), I wish I would have asked you how your stories were coming along that you were writing, I wish I would have... plain and simple... asked you more about you. I will forever remember your voice, how you so often sounded like grandpa. I will always have an image of you standing, jingling the change in your pockets, and smiling. Your family misses you Bruce.
Love always,
Nikki
Bonnie, Bob, Nikki, Sarah, Val, and the rest of your Family,
I am so sorry for your loss!! You are all in my thoughts and prayers!! Please let me know if there is anything I or my family can do for you!!
Jenna Christiansen-Umbaugh
Bonnie, Bob, Nikki, Sarah, Val, and the rest of your Family,
I am so sorry for your loss!! You are all in my thoughts and prayers!! Please let me know if there is anything I or my family can do for you!!
Jenna Christiansen-Umbaugh
As a Bemidji attorney, I have had numerous professional dealings with Bruce Meyer over the years. Bruce was an honorable attorney. His calm demeanor and and polite way earned respect. He represented his clients well, arguing their positions but always in a thoughtful, professional manner. It was a pleasure to have known and dealt with him in support of our respective clients. I wish the family well in dealing with this unfortunate loss which came too early.
Jim Haskell