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HALE -- Bruce Donald Hale passed away Saturday morning, February 24, 2007 in the care of hospice. Born December 21, 1933 in Oak Park, IL, to Edward Garden and Mildred Lillian (Pelc) Hale, Bruce grew up in Riverside, IL. As both a gifted athlete and student, Bruce was awarded Academic and Athletic scholarships from Wesleyan University in Middleton, CT. He earned his BA in Economics from Wesleyan in 1955. Bruce joined Caterpillar Tractor in Peoria, IL, as a graduate trainee. Between 1956 and 1959 he progressed to Dealer Training Rep and ultimately Caterpillar's Southwestern Region District Representative. Bruce and his family moved to Albuquerque in 1959 in order to fulfill his responsibilities in the role as District Rep. As one of his first responsibilities in this role, Bruce was instrumental in recruiting Jack Rust as the Southwest region's leading Caterpillar distributor, based in Albuquerque. Jack recalls that he was also recruiting Bruce, and succeeded to lure Bruce from Caterpillar in 1963 when Bruce joined the organization as Rust Tractor's Vice President of Sales. Bruce retired from Rust 33 years later in 1996. Bruce was well known throughout the Southwest by his customers. He was a member of the American Mining Congress, Society of Mining Engineers, Assoc. Contractors NM, Assoc. Equipment Distributors, Rocky Mountain Coal Mining Inst., NM Mining Assn. Jack Rust remained both Bruce's mentor and dearest friend for 44 years. Bruce was a loyal New Mexico Lobos fan of basketball and football, past president of the Lobo Club. Proud of his Chicago heritage, Bruce was also a life time fan of the Cubs and Bears. He loved fishing, boating, traveling, and was an avid golfer. He traveled throughout North and South America and Europe in pursuit of these passions. All who know Bruce also recall his love for music, and his hero, "Old Blue Eyes," Frank Sinatra. Bruce and Connie are members of Albuquerque Country Club. Survivors are: his wife of 27 years, Connie L. (Green Gunderson): son, Jeff Hale, his wife, Shanna and granddaughters, Jaci and Jessi Hale; daughter, Karen Carnahan, her husband, Mark and grandsons, Ryan Cooper, Cody, and Kyle Dramer; daughter, Cheryl Pynes, her husband, Ronny and grandsons, Shane, Wade, and Ross Pynes; daughter, Marianne Cooper and her husband, Charles. The families wish to express their profound thanks to the Presbyterian Outpatient Hospice Unit and the Kaseman Inpatient Hospice staff for their wonderful care and compassion. In lieu of flowers, the families suggest a gift to Presbyterian Hospice, 8100 Constitution NE, Suite 400 Albuquerque, NM, 87110-7625. Friends and family will celebrate Bruce's life at a Memorial Service at French Mortuary, Lomas Blvd. Chapel, 10500 Lomas Blvd NE, on Friday, March 2, 2007 at 2:30 p.m. Pastor Dewey Johnson of Sandia Presbyterian Church will preside. French Mortuary 10500 Lomas Blvd. NE 275-3500
        Published on: Fri March 02, 2007