P. Bruce Benzler

Loving, loyal and devoted husband, father, grandfather and friend to many, P. Bruce Benzler died on Tuesday August 16. A second-generation Californian, he was born and raised by Mollie and Paul Benzler who were ranchers in Fresno, California. He started school at Perrin Colony, a 2-room schoolhouse built in 1870, and then American Union Elementary. He was a drum major for his High School Band, an accomplished French horn player and pianist, and graduated as a Saluatorian from Washington Union High School with an award from the Bank of America in Fine Arts. Heading off to UC Berkeley in his 1959 Black Chevy Impala, he joined the Cal Band and was active as a co-manager for the 1965 USA tour, played in the Straw Hat Band, and was Rep at large in charge of recruiting for the 64-65 band. He coined the phrase "Total Band Entertainment" for the type of band productions that began during his years in the band. Subsequently, at his 1966 graduation, he was inducted into the honorary group, the Order of the Golden Bear. It was at Cal that Bruce met the love of his life, Sylvia Rogers, and on St. Patrick's Day, March 17, 1966, proposed marriage to her at the Top of the Mark in San Francisco. They had 56 wonderful and adventurous years together beginning with a two year "honeymoon" as Peace Corps volunteers in Guatemala, the land of eternal spring. Their first daughter, Christine, was born in Boston while Bruce was obtaining his Master of City Planning (1971) at the GSD Graduate School of Design, now called the Harvard Kennedy School (HKS). His career included positions at the Northern Virginia Regional Planning Commission in Falls Church, Va., and the So. Calif Rapid Transit District. A second daughter, Kate, joined the family during a move back to the Bay Area to work at Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG). Bruce then worked at PG & E where he completed his career as a Manager of the Building and Land Services, and Project Manager of the rebuild of 215 and 245 Market Street after the 1989 S.F. earthquake. In retirement, Bruce and Sylvia enjoyed being with their 4 grandchildren, and they adopted and raised their granddaughter, Grace. His volunteer work included singing in the chorus of the Festival Opera, serving 5 years on the Board of the former Mt. Diablo Habitat for Humanity (Board President in the late 90's), serving on the board of OSAC (Organization to Save our Community which was instrumental in keeping light rail off of the Iron Horse Trail), serving a term as President of the Association for the Preservation of Danville Blvd., volunteering for the Trinity Center in W.C., and singing for the choir and volunteering at the San Ramon Valley United Methodist Church. He also thoroughly enjoyed the camaraderie of the members of The Family Club in San Francisco, where he was a member of the Songbirds singing group. Special highlights of Bruce's life include traversing the Grand Canyon, climbing Mt. Whitney, running the SF Marathon, attending Peace Corps Reunions, enjoying gatherings with good friends, and traveling our world with his adventuresome sweetheart, Sylvia. He will be remembered as an honest, generous, and caring man, and a loyal husband and friend who loved good music, good literature, backpacking, travel, movies, theater, and stimulating conversations about our world and current events. Bruce was predeceased by his beloved sister, Andriette Deis. Survivors include his wife, Sylvia, daughters Christine Benzler and Kate Benzler, grandchildren Zoe Benzler, Jasmine Lew, Gabriel Lew and Grace Benzler as well as nephews Steve and Timothy Deis and many cousins. If you care to donate in his name in lieu of flowers, please contact the Trinity Center in Walnut Creek or The Brain and Behavior Research Foundation. Celebration of Life Services will be held on Saturday, September 24th at 2:00 PM at the San Ramon Valley United Methodist Church, 902 Danville Blvd., Alamo, California.