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Bruce BELT Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for Bruce BELT
Shelley L Roecker
September 30, 2021
Dr Bruce was a fascinating man, always kind and engaging. He will always be missed.
Heather Thomas
April 26, 2012
Dr. Belt was one of the most inspiring, motivating teachers i had throughout my entire school career. He was the kind of teacher that you wanted to do well on the test FOR him, to make HIM proud of you! He was that good! i will always remember his laugh and smile and i am so grateful to have been lucky enough to have known such a wonderful person as Dr. Bruce Belt.
March 30, 2012
Bruce was a friend & exemplar in my youth & a much appreciated friend of my family. He showed me what a grownup man could be.
Peter Mellini
Rod Webb
March 11, 2012
As an infant I was born with a urologic disorder that in theory should have put a negative atitude to my entire life. Countless pep talks with first Elmer then Bruce Belt made me aware that everybody needs to focus on what they can do for others instead of feeling sorry for themselves. I count the long periods I was permitted to dwell in the De Vinci Library that in those days was in the clinic as the fundemental source of my continued fascination with the topic. The world is lesser place withoutthese fine Doctors.
Breen Byrnes
March 8, 2012
Subject: Bruce Memories (and a little Sage)
The pipe! Whenever I smell pipe tobacco I will think of Bruce for the rest of my life!
Flannel shirts tucked in
The metal cup with deer/nature engravings on it that he used for his red wine
Sitting by the fire before dinner having snacks, usually cheese and crackers, and catching up
A big roast beef dinner (sometime ham) that Bruce always carved
How Bruce always served the ladies first and had such nice manners
Always real cloth napkins, never paper for dinner and breakfast
Making pineapple upside down cake with Sage
An after-dinner game of hearts for the boys
A big breakfast the next morning - always eggs with ham and sweetrolls
The drive up to their house with the windy road and how when I was little I LOVED how scary/exciting that drive was. I always worried we'd drive off the cliff before we made it to their house
How we always tried to see Michael Jackson at Neverland Ranch on our way to Tims Road
How we always checked the mail for them before we drove up
How you had to get out of the car and open the gate
How there would be cows all over the place and sometimes in the road when we drove there, and those grill things in the street that the cows wouldn't walk over
Pressing flowers from the yard with Sage
Lupine growing on the hill right by the driveway
Hiking around the land and how they knew so much about the plants and animals we saw
Sage's plant clippings and how she loved geraniums
How shocked I was when I found out that 'Sage' wasn't her official name. I didn't know you could just change your name like that!
The white and navy blue bedspreads with little flowers in their guest room (they were reversible)
How Clay and I used to stay on little cots when we were younger
The pretty glasses in the guest bathroom. They had these colorful little flecks in them and mom really liked them too, I think they were Italian
The guest book! I loved reading who had stayed there, and seeing my handwriting change over the years and dad's ridiculous entries
How I thought their house was the biggest, most beautiful place ever built when it was finally completed. I loved the high ceilings and all that wood, and I really loved that library area off the living room
Camping down the hill before the house was built
The outhouse
How much Bruce loved the Smithsonian Magazine subscription I got him; I should have done that earlier! I didn't realize he'd like it so much
The little entry hall into the big house that had needlepoint pillows with Sage's family crest on them (the Culpeppers) and how she always used to talk about her daddy and said 'daddy' with the best Southern accent
How much Sage loved those cats and Hawaii
The green upholstered rocking chair in the living room that had a little detachable pillow. I loved that chair more than the other ones in the living room and always sat there when I could
Croquet on the back lawn
Sitting out on the back porch with Bruce and mom and dad the last time I visited and showing Bruce pictures from some trip and he kept marveling at technology and how iPads are so cool
How much fun we had with them! They will be missed.
xoxox, B
Burns Family
March 7, 2012
The following was written by Breen Byrnes, the daughter of Bryant and Mary Byrnes and brother of Clay Byrnes. Bryant was invited to dinner at the Belts' LA home in the mid 1960s when he was 15 years old. Smitten by his hosts' spontaneity and warmth, he never really left that dinner table.
Upon the move by the senior Belts to Santa Ynez in the early 1990s, the Byrneses would visit several times a year. Some of Clay's and Breen's fondest memories growing up were the times spent with Bruce and Sage.
Subject: Bruce Memories (and a little Sage)
The pipe! Whenever I smell pipe tobacco I will think of Bruce for the rest of my life!
Flannel shirts tucked in
The metal cup with deer/nature engravings on it that he used for his red wine
Sitting by the fire before dinner having snacks, usually cheese and crackers, and catching up
A big roast beef dinner (sometime ham) that Bruce always carved
How Bruce always served the ladies first and had such nice manners
Always real cloth napkins, never paper for dinner and breakfast
Making pineapple upside down cake with Sage
An after-dinner game of hearts for the boys
A big breakfast the next morning - always eggs with ham and sweetrolls
The drive up to their house with the windy road and how when I was little I LOVED how scary/exciting that drive was. I always worried we'd drive off the cliff before we made it to their house
How we always tried to see Michael Jackson at Neverland Ranch on our way to Tims Road
How we always checked the mail for them before we drove up
How you had to get out of the car and open the gate
How there would be cows all over the place and sometimes in the road when we drove there, and those grill things in the street that the cows wouldn't walk over
Pressing flowers from the yard with Sage
Lupine growing on the hill right by the driveway
Hiking around the land and how they knew so much about the plants and animals we saw
Sage's plant clippings and how she loved geraniums
How shocked I was when I found out that 'Sage' wasn't her official name. I didn't know you could just change your name like that!
The white and navy blue bedspreads with little flowers in their guest room (they were reversible)
How Clay and I used to stay on little cots when we were younger
The pretty glasses in the guest bathroom. They had these colorful little flecks in them and mom really liked them too, I think they were Italian
The guest book! I loved reading who had stayed there, and seeing my handwriting change over the years and dad's ridiculous entries
How I thought their house was the biggest, most beautiful place ever built when it was finally completed. I loved the high ceilings and all that wood, and I really loved that library area off the living room
Camping down the hill before the house was built
The outhouse
How much Bruce loved the Smithsonian Magazine subscription I got him; I should have done that earlier! I didn't realize he'd like it so much
The little entry hall into the big house that had needlepoint pillows with Sage's family crest on them (the Culpeppers) and how she always used to talk about her daddy and said 'daddy' with the best Southern accent
How much Sage loved those cats and Hawaii
The green upholstered rocking chair in the living room that had a little detachable pillow. I loved that chair more than the other ones in the living room and always sat there when I could
Croquet on the back lawn
Sitting out on the back porch with Bruce and mom and dad the last time I visited and showing Bruce pictures from some trip and he kept marveling at technology and how iPads are so cool
How much fun we had with them! They will be missed.
xoxox, B
Kim Diamond Burkovich
March 1, 2012
Dr. Belt was the kind of teacher everyone wished they could have. He loved his students and his students loved him, but more importantly he made learning fun (and how many can say that about Latin?) He will be missed.
Kirsa van Pallandt
February 29, 2012
Dr Belt was the most inspirational teacher I ever had. He commanded respect and trust through his kindness and concern for all his students whilst engaging those he taught with his contagious enthusiasm for knowledge. My thoughts and prayers are with his family. (Brentwood Class of '81)
Adrienne Hamcke Wicker
February 29, 2012
I was a student at Brentwood in the early 80s and have the fondest of memories of Dr. Belt....class in the trailers; his throaty, delicious laugh; putting a tooth back in his mouth with airplane glue; cheering on the girls' basketball team; the pipe and red plaid shirt; and being a steady presence in the craziness that is adolescence. How fortunate I am for having known him. With much love to him and his family,
Adrienne Hamcke Wicker (Class of '82)
Erika Steiger
February 29, 2012
I was a student at Brentwood, and I will never forget the day I (very foolishly) won an impromptu contest of who could stay in the unheated swimming pool the longest. I became dizzy and incoherent in my next class, and although most people assumed I must have taken some kind of drug, Dr. Belt rightly discerned that I had hypothermia. He found tea and blankets and sat and talked with me until I warmed up and was out of danger. He turned what could have been a very serious, even life-threatening situation into merely an episode of adolescent foolishness. I will always be grateful for his kindness.
February 29, 2012
I have fond memories of AP Biology with Dr. Belt at Brentwood School. He is one of those extraordinary teachers I will never forget. My condolences to his family. Warmest, Stacey Reiss ('88)
Mary Belton
February 29, 2012
I, along with every other student at Brentwood School, ADORED Dr. Belt. I often think of his hearty laugh, his wicked sense of humor and his enthusiasm for teaching. I feel lucky to have been one of his students. My deepest sympathies to his family.
James Broude
February 29, 2012
Some of my fondest memories of Brentwood are the discussions I had with Dr. Belt. I hope my kids are lucky enough to have a teacher like him. (Brentwood Class of '81)
Marilyn Roth
February 24, 2012
Our sympathies to the family. I saw Walter Belt's message and would also like to know whether there was any connection to Humphrey Belt of early Maryland. To see information on Humphrey, Google "Humphrey Belt Plus Five Generations."
February 18, 2012
I am a member of a 52 person team that has researched the surname BELT for near 20 years,. WE missed this wonderful gentlemen. Will someone please help me contact his daughter and or his two sons? Walter Belt,109 Estrella Crossing Apart212, Georgetown TX 78628 (512) 686-3080 [email protected]. Thank You
Marian Marshall
February 17, 2012
I have adored my uncle for as far back as my memory serves me. A good smelling pipe, a hardy laugh, a red plaid shirt and jeans, and a fine searsucker suit with bow-tie...an intence conversationist, an avid reader,and a tender hearted man...I loved all of him and will remember him fondly and with much love.
Wayne Mosteller
February 16, 2012
Although I met him only twice, I have fond memories of Dr. Belt. He was a warm and gracious host. My condolences to Katie and her siblings.
Erik Spitznagel
February 16, 2012
I loved your class at Brentwood, both your teaching and style. I learned of mitochondria and osmosis. The most important lessons were imparted by your own character. I wish you a Bon Voyage.
Fernando G. Vescia
February 16, 2012
My wife Colleen and I were old friends of the Belts going back all the way when we were in medical school. He came from a distinguished family and was very well read and had a great sense of humor. He loved hiking in his youth and he and Sage were wonderful parents and great hosts. We will greatly miss him and send our warmest condolences to his children.
-Fernando and Colleen Vescia
Ever the Gracious Host ...
Peg Beebe
February 16, 2012
Bruce Belt touched so many people in so many walks of life - his joy of the outdoors and of teaching and learning will live and long be associated with his name and his well-told stories, I'm sure. It's amazing the empty hole his departure from this world has created - yet the empty space is already filling with fond recollections.
John Sterling
February 16, 2012
He was a wonderful man and I thoroughly enjoyed our conversions over classes of red wine. Good bye "Old Man", I'll think of you next time I read the copy of Beowulf that you lent me.
Andrew Bilson
February 16, 2012
As a former student of Dr. Belt at Brentwood School, I have only the fondest memories of him. I initially thought of him as an enigma with his bowtie and pipe, but after years at Brentwood, I came to find him as a most amiable gentleman, willing to share his counsel with me. He was a wise and distinguished man and it was an honor to be one of his students.
February 16, 2012
Please accept our deppest condolences from a family that grew up with your family exploring the hills of Griffith Park in the 1960's.
With much sympathy,
Eric Kurasch, Chris Kurasch, Steve and Lisa Kurasch and Kathy Kurasch
Three-day bvackpack to Gem Lake in early 1980s
Annie Belt
February 16, 2012
Dad is sorely missed!
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