The End of an Era: Bruce Lindsay Remembered

by Kaley Partington, staff writer

On Feb. 27 a memorial for Bruce Howard Lindsay was held at Newport Mesa Church to celebrate his life and his love for Vanguard. Lindsay passed away Sunday, Feb. 22 after a long battle with numerous health problems including diabetes, cancer, and congestive heart failure. He died less than a week before his 80th birthday celebration, which was supposed to be held in the Vanguard cafeteria.
Lindsay ate in the cafeteria for over 40 years, watching semesters go by and new faces come and go. His love for the University and its students and staff prompted Lindsay to leave his entire estate, worth millions of dollars, to Vanguard.

“His job and identity was to be an advocate for the students,” Ed Westbrook, Professor ofBusiness said as he read Lindsay’s obituary and one of his favorite chapters from the Bible, I Corinthians 13 at the memorial. The theme of love found in this passage exuded from the church as tributes were given by some of his closest friends: Wayne Kraiss, Mary Young, and Jerry Clarke. His beloved pastor of many years, Pastor Chuck Smith of Calvary Chapel, also gave some brief devotional thoughts from Psalm 23.
The service was filled with a sense of humor as they honored a man who never let an opportunity go by to save a few dollars. During Clarke’s tribute, he told the story of Bruce’s passion for ice cream and his refusal to use anything smaller than a cereal bowl to get daily scoops of his favorite treat.
The legacy of Bruce is something that will never be forgotten by the Vanguard community. The generations of students that have eaten their meals with him will forever have great stories of this kind student advocate.
“His love, compassion, and energy filled the Caf during every meal, and I will always remember the many discussions we had during our meals,” said Nehemiah Rogers, a sophomore who ate with Bruce at least a couple of times per week.
Lindsay had a passion for the wellbeing of Vanguard and its students.
“He lived a simple and uncomplicated life, but it was full in a very special way,” said Wayne Kraiss, who met Bruce in the Caf in 1974.
When Bruce came for a cheap meal, he probably never imagined the gifts that he would end up giving and receiving from the university. Many people never would have guessed that the older man eating in the cafeteria was a multi-millionaire leaving his entire estate to the school. The gifts he has given are not close, however, to the rewards that Bruce took from the school and its students. Bruce experienced years of laughter, friendship, and conversations, but most importantly received the most precious gift of all: salvation.
His passion for fellowship with Vanguard students was apparent until the final days of his life. Clarke, the Director of Planning and Construction at Vanguard, said that a few days before his death, Lindsay was adamant about being available for the students. He was determined to prove to the doctors he was well enough to forego the recommended hospital stay in order to return to Vanguard. After pleading with Lindsay, doctors gave an ultimatum and said if he could walk they would let him return home. Although Bruce had been in excruciating pain complete with yelps of discomfort every time he had tried to walk, he confidently managed to hold onto his walker and make it down the hallway without a sound. This determination is a true testimony of the loyal and loving man who adopted VU as his home.
The memorial service was a time to celebrate the life of Bruce Lindsay, but also honor the legacy that he has left. He will be remembered for his passion for food and love for the students. And while we may not see him eating in the Caf any longer, perhaps we can all reach for a cereal bowl of ice cream next time as a tribute to Bruce.