Written from an email received from Bruce's dear friend and quarterback while at West Chester University - Jack Harrington - "I Always remember how we would jokingly remind each in our playing days, 'I will meet you at the flag in the end zone'. God Bless Old friend!!!! With love, respect, and admiration... Jack. Janice sends her love and caring also. You are a special friend whom we love. You will be missed!!!!!!!!!!!!"

Kyle and Taryn - My memories of your parents are tied so strongly to my childhood.  I am so sorry I could not be at your dad’s memorial tonight, but I am thinking about him and all of you. He truly was a great man and so kind and generous with his life and spirit. He lit up a room when he walked in and was always smiling. He lived life fully and I am sure he and your mom are together now eagerly looking down on the beautiful families you have created. Much love to you all!

Summer 2019, Jersey Shore

Tom and I shot down to Atlantic Highlands to have dinner with Danielle and Kyle. Brucey joined us and as always, he did not disappoint. He showed up with a smile, a devilish glint in his eye and great stories. We laughed hard...so, so hard.

It would be the last time I saw Bruce.

Yes, I'm incredibly sad Bruce no longer walks among us physically but my soul soars knowing that he's with Geri, the love of his life and a force in her own right.

See, that's the thing about Bruce (and Geri), they always - and I mean ALWAYS - showed up for us: members of their immediate and extended families, life-long friends and new ones, former students and esteemed colleagues.

My story is not unlike many of the people who came into contact with them. I was just one of the many lost souls who they took under their collective wing. It was a big, broad wing and they cherished and welcomed the responsibility of mentoring so many of us. They asked us questions (sometimes the ones we prayed they wouldn't ask), they nudged us when we needed a gentle push and they challenged us to be better. But in the end, all they ever wanted was for us to be happy. While I can't say I always understood why they cared so much, I am eternally grateful they did. We are all better human beings for having had Brucey (and Geri) in our lives.

Rest in peace, Brucey. Tell Geri I said hi and take it easy with the Heavenly Pickleball Championships, ok?

Much, much love,
Dini

I was always touched by Bruce's connection to his grandchildren. I first met him when my kids went to pre-school with Taryn's, and he was very present in their lives. He would pick them up often, and whenever they'd see his face at the door they'd light up. His family was so lucky to have him for so long, and he'll forever be a role model for joy and love.

A letter from one of my father’s dear friends ❤️

Classmates--

   At 5 p.m. on Monday evening I called Kyle Shenk again to inquire about Bruce. "His breathing is slowing and he is taking very little nourishment of any kind, Definitely much weaker, " Kyle responded. Then there was a brief pause before Kyle said, "I can't believe it but he just opened eyes! We think he can hear what we say to him, though he cannot respond. Would you like to talk to him.?"  I was a bit surprised by Kyle's invitation but he turned on the speakerphone and said, "Go ahead--I know he will be happy to hear your voice." So I began...gave him my name, expressed my, and all his classmates, concern for him, assured him that he was in our thoughts and prayers. Then, for a moment, I was at a loss for words! (Yes, I know some of you will find that statement beyond belie!) But then suddenly, inexplicably, my mind returned to a muddy, sloppy rainy, chilly Saturday afternoon in November,1957. It was our final game with arch rival Milton Hershey School and the weather was the worst we had experienced that year--just awful. Such weather is a great equalizer in football because skill is essentially neutralized, the ball is wet, getting traction is impossible, every player is weighed down by mud and rain-soaked gear.  Put simply, our unbeaten season was in jeopardy. 
   I recalled that on that day, 62 years ago this month, Ben Klingler managed to throw a beautiful pass to the sprinting Bruce Shenk, who caught the ball in stride and managed to elude a tackler or two on his way to a touchdown. I think it may have been the only touchdown we scored, and though the game ended in a tie, we remained undefeated--because of Bruce's touchdown!
   I described that memory to Bruce and recall ending with the words, "Bruce, you saved our undefeated season. I hope you still have that memory too!
   Kyle came came back on the line at that point, thankfully. And with his voice breaking, he said, "Earl, I wish you could see his face now--he is smiling from ear to ear!  He really is! I'm sure he heard you--and that smile makes me believe he does remember that moment" 
   In the course of my ministry, I've had a few other such 'serendipitous moments' that buttress my faith in God and in human relationships. This is among them. I am so grateful that, in my moment of not knowing what to say, Something or Someone gave me words that became a conversation--some spoken, some said silently that testify eloquently to the sanctity of human relationships and eternal truths!

   Bruce had many spectacular moments in his athletic career, in both football and track in high school and track. And he was a very special person to all who new him. 

   Farewell, my Trojan brother! Rest in peace.

    Earl

Bruce Shenk wore many hats...guidance counselor,athlete, antique dealer and prankster. My life was touched by all those. “Counselor Bruce” was one of the first friends I made at James Caldwell H.S. “Athlete Bruce” put me on skis for the first time in 1970. And “Antique Dealer Bruce” (and Geri!) were the source of most of the antique furniture in our home. But it was “Prankster Bruce” that made the lasting impression. Twenty five years ago, Bruce was visiting us in MA. I told him about an acquaintance , who when diagnosed with a terminal illness, invited all her friends to her home so they could identify and label some possession of hers to remember her by...a plate, a picture frame, etc. That story resonated with me because I am connected to all my possessions too. Long after his visit, I went to one of the many pieces of furniture that came from Country Goose Antiques, opened a door only to spy a piece of masking tape with the names “Bruce and Geri” written in black magic marker. Weeks later, I picked up a flow blue plate and spotted the tape with their names scrawled on the back. I am STILL finding those identifiers all these years later on the bottom of carved decoys and on the edges of drawers rarely opened. Over the years, I never removed those labels. Now, they are a bittersweet reminder of a dear friend who will never be forgotten.

Born in 1964, I cannot remember life without Bruce and Geri. There calmness, smiles and complete kindness were just always there. Whether it was West Caldwell, Martin’s Creek, Princeton, The Shore the location never mattered because the warmth and smiles would always appear. Thank you both for being a part of my childhood. One of my fondest memories of Bruce was when he helped me make a “pro-con” list to help me decide which colleges were best for me. I have used this concept many, many times in my life and last spring shared it with my oldest daughter as she made her college choice. Thanks Bruce! Miss you! ❤️

Taryn and I met about five years ago and from the start or our friendship I always looked forward to seeing her dad. Even when things were rough in his own life, as Geri’s illness progressed, Bruce always had a kind word, that smile that made you smile back, a joke or a pat on the arm. He was the grandpa at pick up who knew everyone, the kind of dad we all wish for — patient, interested, a willing giver of advice, but never insistent that you take it, nor did I ever hear an “I told you so”. Bruce had a quality that made you believe he saw the best in you, not naive of your faults, but willing to believe you’d overcome them. He touched the lives of everyone he met, even if just for a moment. I will miss him.

“See You @ The Finish Line”

Bruce came to visit me at the Jersey Shore one beautiful Saturday morning this past June. Our meeting spot was the finish line of a triathlon race. When he learned I was raising some money for Geri he went out of his way to take the trip all the way to the shore just to shake my hand and look me in the eyes and say “Thank You”. 

I only knew Bruce for these very special 12 minutes in my life. We shook hands, had a brief hug, hung by the railing on the boardwalk and chatted for the remaining 12 minutes. I remember he came up holding a bottle of water for me. I invited him to breakfast, but time wasn’t on our side as he so badly wanted to catch one of his grandkids games.

We only had brief interaction that June morning, but I could tell even in that short time, Bruce was a man of character who completely adored his family, and was cut from a cloth not many can claim today. 

This is the Bruce I met, know, and will always remember. Dedicated and Kind. I felt really honored to have him come meet me, if only it was for 12 minutes, they are minutes I will never forget. I still have his voicemails on my phone and will likely keep them for the foreseeable future.

Thanks Bruce, I loved our time together. See you at the Finish Line. 

Bruce’s smile and cheers of encouragement for our boys on the lacrosse field always brightened my days! And his smile was contagious! It was always so refreshing to have a chat with him at games. I always walked away feeling lighter and happier from our interactions. He was such a sweet, kind and genuine man. Just knowing him made you want to be a better person. I am going to miss him terribly!

Blessed to have been one of Taryn’s college roommates...So many great memories of Bruce (and Geri) over these years....but one of my favorites...a parent’s weekend...walking from the parking lot to our dorm...he was leading the way for a large group of us...a few yards ahead he passed through a brick archway and then kind of ducked behind it...then popped back out and called to me very excited “come see...there’s a a little dog hiding over here!” Of course I ran over as quickly as I could....

When I got to the corner he was just about doubled over in fits of laughter....and I was just confused....there was a lonely beer can in the corner not a dog...and after he’d just about reached the point of tears he finally let me in on the joke...It was a can of Red Dog Beer...such a great ”Dad Joke”, before it was even a thing...such a great Dad...

He was always present...he never missed a trick, he never passed up the chance to make you laugh and he definitely never missed the opportunity to make you feel special, included and loved.

Thank you Bruce.

My friendship with Taryn developed in the later years of High School. I was frequently invited to her beach house in Normandy. When I say frequently - I mean just about every weekend. AND - yes I showed up every time! Mr. Shenk welcomed me in like I was family forever. I can remember him making us cheesy eggs while telling us jokes. His jokes were one of a kind! He would always make me laugh - Silly comments about chickens and egg yolks (the immediate family will know what I talking about)! I will forever hold onto all the moments where we shared laughter, smiles and love. ❤️

Mr. Shenk was my guidance counselor at James Caldwell High School (class of 1979). His wisdom, insight and understanding helped my pick the right college for me which launched my successful career. Thanks, Mr Shenk. Rest In Peace.

I haven't connected w/ one of my fave teachers for, I guess, 48 years or so, I pray he had a good life and I'll never forget some of the kind words he wrote for my college recommendations.

Godspeed, my friend and teacher.

I met Bruce in grievance group at Stephy's Place this past June. He was such a warm and caring person inside and out. He would speak of his late wife with such passion and sadness. You can tell immediately the love he held for her and his family. We all shared our stories and comfort one another through such a difficult time. I am so heartbroken that he left us so soon but I do know that he is with his true love that he missed so terribly. He will be so missed!!! My deepest condolences to his family and friends. Terry Telle