Bruce Plyer, Deceased, November 15, 2018
Classmates,
Your scribe has learned from Barbara Plyer that her husband Bruce Plyer died in November, 2018. She reports that “he had just finished lifting weights and came upstairs. His death was a sudden catastrophic event and took only minutes.”
“He loved his time at Yale. He was a member of the Dramat; he rowed for four years; he was an architecture major. Bruce was also a talented artist who drew the cover for the Whiffenpoofs’ album. After Yale, he went to Annapolis and became an officer in the Navy and did two tours in the Pacific. He served in Japan and Vietnam. After earning an MBA at Harvard Business School, Bruce worked for Bendix, and then became a financial consultant, while still active in the Naval Reserve Association.”
“Bruce was a warm and loving husband and I could see the love in his face every day. He was my best friend, my soul mate and my travel mate for the many adventures we went on. I knew Bruce for 15 years before he finally proposed. It was truly a gift and I am so thankful for those days.”
“He was also extremely strong and was called ‘The Rock’ in the Navy. Under that strong exterior was one of the most loving, gentle, and ethical men I have ever known.” She closes her memorial to Bruce with: “My love for you will never falter, never subside. My love for you will remain a constant, a barrier for grief and a vessel for joy. As you lay your head upon this pillow, do so with the thought of my eternal love resting gently upon your heart.”
Bruce will be buried with military honors in Arlington National Cemetery on April 4th at 3 PM. Friends of Bruce can contact Barbara at Barbaraplyer@aol.com or at 201-739-3589.
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[in_memoriam_closing]
I think I first met Bruce through my freshman roommate, Len Richards, who rowed with Bruce. But I really got to know Bruce through the Dramat.
Freshman year, he and I were in Mr. Roberts. I was cast as “Shore Patrol Officer,” a role I fell into because the Southern accent required for the part was an accent I had grown up hearing. Since the play is set on a cargo ship during WWII, the cast includes a lot of sailors, some of whom serve as little more than background; these roles were filled mainly by Dramat heelers as I recall. Bruce, a heeler, was originally cast as one of those largely indistinguishable sailors.
At one point in the play, drunken sailors are hoisted back onto the ship in a cargo net. During tech or dress rehearsal, something went wrong and the net fell the last few feet onto the stage. The actor playing Mannion (I think it was John Lincoln, ’68) injured his shoulder or arm badly enough that he had to wear a cast or sling and could not credibly play the role. Bruce stepped into this substantial role and began performing it after one rehearsal, perhaps no rehearsals. He nailed it! I was impressed.
I am not sure how I got to know Bruce but always was impressed by focus and compassion. He is a person whom I wished I had know better. Peace to his wife and family.