Robert Bruce Hezlep<br/>September 22, 1933 - November 5, 2014

R. Bruce Hezlep passed blessedly into eternal life on the morning of November 5, 2014, after a stoic battle with Lewy Body Dementia. He was a kind, gentle soul who will be dearly missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him.

Bruce was born to Herbert Hezlep Junior and Gertrude Allott Hezlep on September 22, 1933 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The family relocated to Pasadena, CA. when Bruce was 3 years old and it wasn’t long before his father started his own company, Acme General Corporation, manufacturing builders’ hardware.

Bruce attended University of California, Berkeley where he earned his degree in business administration and also graduated from the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps (NROTC). After leaving “Cal” and his beloved Bears, he spent 2 years in the Navy and then joined the family business in 1957, eventually becoming president of the company shortly before its sale to Stanley Works Corporation.

Bruce served time as president of the San Dimas Chamber of Commerce and president of the Festival of Western Arts, a role that gave him a lifelong appreciation for American Indian and Cowboy Art. He was a proud member of the Bowles Hall Alumni Association, an avid golfer and a passionate fisherman who enjoyed countless tournaments; his favorite being the Church Mouse Marlin Invitational held each year out of Avalon, Catalina.

After his retirement, Bruce received his Masters License in order to skipper his own vessel to far and near places. He picked up the boat of his dreams, Reelin’ Good, on the East Coast and traveled for five months before bringing it through the Panama Canal and finally into the harbor of Newport Beach. It wasn’t long before he took off for Alaska, spending four months visiting Ketchikan and Juneau and everything in between. If the boat wasn’t in Newport Beach, it was moored somewhere in Mexico, usually Puerto Vallarta. He traded those adventures to become a devoted father to his precious Tess, who was born in September, 1997. Tess was headed to Catalina with her Dad on Reelin’ Good when she was 3 weeks old and their shared passion for boating did not end until his illness cut short his days at sea.

Bruce loved entertaining family and friends with his perfectly grilled salmon and steaks. His enthusiasm for big Boat Parade parties continued for nearly 30 consecutive years but his favorite form of entertainment was taking friends and family to Catalina Island. He was either fishing or sitting on his boat, swaying in the harbor, watching kids swim and smiling the day away.

Bruce is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 35 years, Rosemary (Mickie) Hezlep, daughters, Tess Kennedy Hezlep and Susan Lee King, son Robert Bruce (Bob) Hezlep Junior, son-in-law Steven King, daughter-in-law Eadie Hezlep, 3 grandchildren, four great grandchildren, brother Herbert Hezlep lll, sister-in-law Liz, and many loving nieces and nephews.

Bruce will also be deeply missed by Mickie’s four sisters, Reeny, Peggy, Muffy and especially Colleen.

There will be a celebration of Bruce’s life in a private ceremony at sea for his immediate family. A kind prayer of thanks for his life would be greatly appreciated and is all that is requested.