Bruce McCormick (known to many as "Honker" for his love of waterfowl) passed away on Thursday, September 21, just a few months shy of his 92nd birthday. His was a larger-than-life personality that embodied so many of the things I appreciate about living in the Magic Skagit. During the time I got to know Bruce, I recorded some podcast interviews with him about pioneer history as he learned it growing up as the grandson of one of the valley's earliest White settlers. Back in May of this year, I recorded an interview with Bruce to talk about his perspective on the Skagit Valley's annual Tulip Festival, the story of Isaac Chilberg, early farming history, and finally an anecdote about his maternal uncles and their involvement in the First World War.
At the time of this recording, I certainly hadn't envisioned it as my last interview with Bruce -- but having finally gotten around to editing and mixing our conversation from last May, I offer it now as the last occasion upon which we can be treated to the voice of Bruce McCormick and the stories that voice shared. I wish there had been more. I'm thankful for the ones I heard.
