Bruce LeGarde Plumb, “Lucky” to some, passed away at the age of 86 on Friday, May 16. He died peacefully of natural causes in his bed on his favorite day of the week.
Bruce was an ordinary, regular sort of guy, with some extraordinary life experiences and results. He was a member of the Greatest Generation, telling harrowing stories about the Bikini atom bomb tests as well as being at Hiroshima and Nagasaki not long afterwards. He joined the Navy the day he turned 17 and one of his most amusing stories was that he and the captain were the only souls on board that slept in their own private room; his room, however, was full of sawdust as he was the ship’s carpenter’s mate.
Undoubtedly, Bruce’s greatest impact was on the thousands of kids involved in Pacific Northwest drum and bugle corps. Not only did he found the Royal Lancers, he was a leader of the regional and national associations that organized these youth groups throughout the 60s and 70s. He donated countless hours in so doing, and did it all on the salary of a brick mason. This region’s active marching music community can be traced to his pioneering efforts.
He was also a world famous miniaturist. His ability to create miniature masterpieces, completely from his own imagination in 1/12th scale, is world renowned. He didn’t do miniatures to become famous, instead it was “therapy” from the stress of the being the foreman on many of Portland’s brick structures, including Pioneer Square. As brick-foreman on the Nordstrom building, his family got to watch the Blazers’ ’77 championship parade from the third floor.
Bruce is survived by his wife of 59 years, Mary Helen. Also, he is survived by four adult children and their five spouses, who between them begat 15 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Sadly, he was preceded in death by his oldest daughter, Sandy Jumonville, who died March 24 of this year.
He will be interred Tuesday, May 27, in a private family ceremony at Willamette National Cemetery, receiving full military honors, with taps played by an alumnus of the Royal Lancers. Sandy Funeral Home is handling these arrangements. In lieu of anything, please make a donation to a local drum and bugle corps.
There will be a Celebration of Life on Saturday, June 14th at the Norse Hall in Northeast Portland. Doors open at 1 PM, the service at 1:30. Call 503-221-1226 for details.