Bruce Pendleton

1939 - 2018

Bruce Pendleton

Reno, NV - Our beloved friend, father, husband, brother, uncle and Papa passed away peacefully in the early morning hours of Sunday, April 22.

Known by many nicknames and answering to all of them, BP, DP, Rude', DaddyO, Bruce was born in Reno, NV, at St. Mary's Hospital on November 24, 1939 to George and Golda Pendleton. He attended local schools, graduating from Reno High School where he EXCELLED in football running plays that Coach Dick Trachok never imagined. He was also on the student council and voted by his peers (and he got quite a chuckle from this) BEST HEAD OF HAIR and BEST BODY. The Class of 1958 produced many outstanding, prominent citizens, and Bruce was so proud of having been a part of it. He eventually joined the Reno High School Alumni Association Board because of his fond memories. While at Reno High, he joined the U.S. Naval Reserves, which after graduation took him to Active Duty. He was stationed, (which he called the ROUGHEST of SEA DUTY) at the U.S. Naval Amphibeous Base in Coronado, CA as a Radioman.

Returning to Reno after this stint, Bruce enrolled at the University of Nevada, Reno majoring in the PreDental Curriculum. There he met and studied with his forever friend and partner Joel F. Glover and other noteable guys who became local dentists and physicians. He joined the Sigma Nu fraternity, making other friends for life, who still meet annually at the Coney Island for the Coney's Chronies. Such camaraderie!

Bruce's work ethic was very strong. As a young boy he sold the Gazette-Journal on the streets downtown and mowed lawns etc. to buy his bicycles and toys. Never one to sit idle, Bruce was hired by United Airlines in college as their first part-time employee as a station agent. His duties included ticketing, fueling planes, and delivering lost baggage in his Porsche to Lake Tahoe in 30 minutes.

A life-long lover of cars, he had many which are today classics…he just never kept them…

While at Sigma Nu he also parked cars for the elite of Reno at Eugene's Restaurant in addition to the UAL job.

At the University of Nevada, Reno he was on the boxing team and was honored to be a member of Alpha Epsilon Delta, an international premedical/dental honor society.

He married Peggy Burgess in 1963 and after graduating moved to Milwaukee, WI to attend Marquette University Dental School. Their daughter, Paige was born in 1966, followed by son, Eric, in 1969. Bruce thought that he had wanted to specialize and did a year rotating internship at Woods VA Hospital in Woods, WI. He later decided that he enjoyed ALL aspects of dentistry.

Returning to Reno, he established his practice on Labor Day, taking the emergency call for all the vacationing dentists. That was the start of his very successful career. He loved and cared for his patients, considering them his friends.

The other impetus in his success was his partnership with Joel Glover and Thomas R. Pitts. Together they built their office buildings, formed professional study clubs, and owned a home in Hawaii where all of their children learned to scuba dive.

Bruce and Peggy welcomed daughter, Kathryn (Kate) in 1972. Bruce's career flourished as his continual quest for knowledge took him to many meetings and seminars. His family was treated to amazing vacations all over the world because of his professional affiliations and interests.

Bruce married Anne Bacigalupi in 1995 and raised her two daughters as his own. Bruce loved to travel the world….conquering the summit of Mt. Whitney with his Rotary buddies, deep sea fishing with colleagues and fraternity brothers, visiting Guatemala on a Rotary Mission to bring toys and supplies to orphans flying all the way there in Tom Gribbin's Cessna 210. Hunting the hills of Nevada for chukkar and game, and scuba diving the best spots in the world including the Great Barrier Reef, Palau, Truk Lagoon, Thailand and Mexico until Anne put her foot down and said she wanted to see the world ABOVE water. An avid fisherman, he traveled to Alaska. Tahoe was his other favorite fishing spot chasing the elusive Mackinaw Trout.

An ardent University of Nevada, Reno Wolf Pack supporter, he held season tickets to Football, Basketball and Baseball for over 50 years. This past season he was so excited to have attended the Sweet 16 games in Atlanta, even meeting Sister Jean. But Baseball was his passion, and his days and nights were spent rooting the Wolf Pack and as a former Giants season ticket holder, they were his favorite major league team. He enjoyed Reno Aces games and Wolf Pack games with Eric and his grandsons.

Bruce had many hobbies. Once known as The Legend at racquetball, he enjoyed playing cribbage with his pals after a game. He loved to sail Lake Tahoe on his boat and nearly killed his entire staff one stormy crossing. It never phased him. His zest for life was infectious, his positive attitude admirable, his smile warm and welcoming and he never had a bad day.

Bruce was predeceased by his parents, his brother, Monte, sister, Ann Packer and his beautiful daughter Kate. Also by his best buddies, Joel F. Glover, JB Fountain, Dave Roberts, and, sadly, too many more to mention. Heaven will never be the same. He is survived by his soul mate and best friend, Anne, and his children Paige(Jim), Eric(Michelle), Katy(Frank) and Jessyca(Dan) as well as seven grandchildren, Maddy, Henry, Brian, Nathan, Joley, Drew and Isabella, all of whom will miss his beer pancakes and his favorite quip "Don't you know, Can't you See, Don't you have an ID?" He is sorely missed by his dog, Cooper. Also numerous nieces and nephews whom he loved dearly.

Services will be held Thursday, May 17 at 11:00 a.m. at Our Lady of the Snows Church, followed by a reception.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests a donation in his name to The University of Nevada, Reno Baseball program to help stimulate the Peccole Park project. Mail to: University of Nevada Athletics Dept. Legacy Hall/232, Reno, NV 89557.