Bruce Marshall Frome

1938 - 2017

August 31, 1938 - July 15, 2017 Bruce Frome, born in Winnipeg, Canada, passed away at home after a long and difficult illness. He left this world peacefully and was surrounded by his family. Bruce enjoyed a remarkable life and lived every one of his 78 years to the fullest. Bruce was the only child of Max and Edna Frome. He started his "career" at the age of six when he sold concessions in the stadium stands for one of his dad's many businesses. Growing up poor but happy, he treasured his family and many friends. After his dad (his best friend) died in a car accident when Bruce was 14, Bruce helped support the family by working in a logging camp in the summer and getting any job he could find during the year. As a teen, he earned a performance degree in violin at a Canadian conservatory and was drafted by a professional hockey team. Always brilliant, Bruce worked hard in school and skipped a number of grades. He was admitted to both dental and medical schools in Manitoba, finally choosing the latter at his mom's urging. He was a medical doctor by the age of 24 and in 1962 drove to LA, where he completed his internship and residency at County USC Medical Center. Bruce met and married Linda Piller in 1967. In their ten years together, they had two children, Allison and Maxwell. In 1985, Bruce married Laurelle LeVine and they had two children, Brady and Cooper. As a physician, Bruce was Board Certified first in Family Practice and then in Anesthesiology. He became Chief of Anesthesiology at Daniel Freeman Marina Hospital, where he practiced for almost 20 years. As usual, Bruce saw the writing on the wall and became one of the first physicians in the country to become Board Certified in Pain Management. He opened a ground-breaking pain clinic, which grew quickly and later became the National Pain Institute. After he sold the clinics, he went back into solo practice in Beverly Hills and practiced medicine until he retired in 2004. Bruce was also a world-renowned entrepreneur. In the late '70s, he saw the potential for a new photo processing machine and turned it into an international business. In one of many articles about him, Time Magazine called him the "Father of the One Hour Photo." After his original company name, One Hour Photo, became too generic, he changed his company name to Fromex, opening over 100 stores across the country. In 1993, he collaborated with his friend and colleague, Dr. Frank Greenway, on what would become another worldwide sensation¿thigh cream. Their product, Smooth Contours, was a huge success, showering Bruce once again with international publicity, including an appearance on Larry King Live. Although Bruce received acclaim for many of his accomplishments, there were many more that remained relatively unknown. To name just a few, Bruce served in Vietnam as a Major in the US Air Force Reserves, testified at the Watergate hearings, operated one of the first health care plans for a huge California union, ran full marathons, and developed commercial properties. He held a number of patents for medical devices and treatments, many of which are still in use today. As a lark, and to keep Laurelle company, he also went to law school at night. Both working full time while in school, Bruce and Laurelle ate their dinners off the roach coach (no fancy food trucks then) and studied late into the night for four busy years. Once they passed the bar, they formed The Law Offices of Frome & Frome. A pioneer yet again, Bruce became the first and only triple-boarded physician/lawyer in the country. To think he did all that, and may we say, not in a shy way, Bruce was the first to state (and sing) he did it "his way." And to borrow from another favorite song, although Bruce's life ended in a flicker, those who knew him will always remember the flame. Bruce is survived by his wife of 31 years, Laurelle, and his children, Allison, Max, Brady and Cooper. Allison has two daughters, Olivia and Georgia, and Max and his wife Allyson have two children, Alex and Layla, all of whom will miss their Papa Bruce. Brady and his almost-wife Jackee (the wedding is on July 22) have always been there when Bruce needed them. Coop has been a solid, steady and loving support through Bruce's years of illness. Although Bruce may not always have said it out loud or often, he loved his children deeply and was very proud of the people they grew up to be. The family would like to acknowledge everyone who brought joy, love and grace into Bruce's world. To his caretakers, dearest Mariza (who brightened Bruce's world for two years), Pauline and Elson, we thank you for your endless kindness, patience and giving souls. We are also grateful to those friends and family who made our hearts smile through even the darkest times. At Bruce's request, there will be no funeral nor memorial service. Please send flowers to someone you love, send donations to someone in need, send positive thoughts into the universe, and celebrate an extraordinary life well lived and well loved.