It is rare to get a chance to meet and work alongside someone who truly inspires you. Bruce Brigham was the ASID leader who did that for me. Bruce was my finance chair during my early days with the Society. More than anyone else who held that role, he was able to balance his fiscal responsibilities with the vision that comes from being a designer. Of course we dealt with budget constraints, but under his leadership the vision for ASID always remained in the forefront. Bruce could see ASID not for what it was, but rather for what it could be.

A few years later Bruce and I worked together once again, this time on the Chapter Support Team. No matter what issue was facing the chapters or the team, Bruce was able to keep us focused on the long-term vision. I often sat in meetings amazed how someone could keep a team simultaneously working on a short-term solution and a higher goal.

Here at ASID we often use one on Bruce’s quotes: “Who even remembers anything ordinary.” He truly believed this and, more importantly, he got others to live it. During Bruce’s term as ASID president, he pushed the society to be extraordinary. Every member should feel lucky we had Bruce as president.

Bruce you were far from ordinary, and ASID will always remember you.

Bruce’s obituary can be found in the Seattle Time.  In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations be made his name to the ASID Foundation.

Rick Peluso is chief financial officer of ASID.