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Legend’s Nominee:
Bruce Richard
Each year for our two biggest events, the Mid-America Trucking Show and the Great American Trucking Show we give away a free flat screen TV. This year’s lucky winner at MATS was veteran truck driver, Bruce Richard. When he came to collect his prize, we congratulated him and my awkward happy dance kicked into full gear. You would think after giving away our fair share of televisions, I would be better at masking my excitement, but sadly I admit that I have zero control. So, after we handed over the humongous box containing Bruce’s TV and I realized I was the only one still clapping, we took photos of him with his wife, Deborah standing alongside their new prize. He walked away a happy camper, as we smiled knowing that someone was going home with an unexpected, yet very cool surprise. I mean, it’s a FREE TV! I’m sure during every show my husband secretly imagines the perfect spot in our house to place each ‘said’ TV. And I’m guessing that the other names hoping to be selected would agree with my electronic device hoarding hubby. In the pile, there’s always the few folded up in a certain-special way, as if to bring extra luck (or attention) to that one piece of paper. Like I said, it’s a FREE TV. Who doesn’t like free?
Long story short, later that day as all the exhibitors were counting down the minutes, I was visiting with some friends in their booth for, Truckersfinalmile.org. I noticed a large box standing off towards the back of the booth that looked exactly like the one we gave to Bruce, during my dancing seal episode. When I pointed to my discovery, like I was Dora the Explorer with my first clue, I was told that a driver donated the TV to help raise money for their charity. Immediately my hand went to my chest like I was about to sing the national anthem… for one, to know that there are generous, giving, and unselfish people out here that can win a TV and then literally, give it away for a greater cause absolutely melts my heart! And two, knowing the impact his donation will have for this charity he chose goes without saying, is a huge blessing. Truckersfinalmile.org is a non-profit organization founded by a truck driver and operated by a network of volunteers focused on reuniting trucker families during times of crisis; e.g., severe illness, injury, or loss of life. The team at Truckersfinalmile.org stated the plan for the TV is to put it up for auction at GATS, in August to continue their awareness of the program. All funds raised for Bruce’s TV donation will go directly to the charity.
There are so many different directions I could take this introduction of Bruce, mainly since we both work in an industry that have such beautiful avenues that seek to help other families in-need, which never fails to tug at my heart strings. The trucking industry may seem a bit rough around the edges, from the outside looking in. With that said, I feel that truck drivers don’t quite get the full recognition they deserve, apart from their duties of the job, but for the simple fact that in this industry I have met some of the most humble, self-sacrificing, and loving people… and they all drive a truck. The trucking community treat each other like family. Comradery and true respect that comes from the most generous of hearts can be found in each professional truck driver, just like the diesel in their veins. And if there is one person that can appreciate his brothers and sisters of the road, it’s Bruce Richard.
Full Circle
Days spent as a young boy riding in the passenger seat of a milk truck, to making a living running coast to coast, this Legend was well qualified to be a truck driver many years before he received his CDL. With 22 years of experience and 2.5 million career miles under his belt, Bruce danced around the trucking industry avoiding the inevitable until the mid-90’s. Once he completed his driver training, there was no doubt about it… trucking was where he belonged.
Bruce was born in Seymour, Connecticut in 1960. His mother stayed home to care for the family, while his father worked multiple jobs to support their household. He worked full-time as a milk man, making house to house deliveries. When Bruce was 12, he began riding with his father every Saturday. The two would start at the warehouse, load his dad’s milk truck, run his route stopping at each house and replacing empty milk bottles with full ones, then ending the day back at the warehouse to unload.
His part of town was small, but big enough for a kid to explore. The neighbors across the street raised cattle for roping, Bruce and his siblings enjoyed playing on their farm as kids. In school, football was his pastime, after high school he found a knack for maintenance; working on cars. He continued to add to his repertoire mechanical work and making fiber glass air shields and wind deflectors for tractor trailers which led to a company building military helicopters where he remained for fifteen years.
In 1988, through a chance encounter Bruce met his wife in Florida after he transferred to the company’s second location at West Palm Beach. The two hit it off and when he returned to Connecticut the following year due to his father’s health, Deborah joined him. The couple wed in 1993, then moved to her home state of Virginia two years later.
Once settled in, Bruce decided to pursue trucking full-time. He completed the required courses with flying colors, earned his CDL and landed a truck driving position pulling flatbed right out of school. Not being the right fit, months later he switched to a company based out of Preston, Maryland running LTL for their Richmond, Virginia terminal which allowed him to be home every night. Four years later, they closed their doors. Bruce went on to gain more experience in local P & D and running over the road. When it came to long-haul, Deborah never shied away from jumping in the truck with him, making each trip out feel less like work.
On a whim, Bruce and Deborah moved out to Bakersfield, California where Deborah had a few family members in the area. Her brother was driving for Gordon Trucking, Inc. out of Pacific, Washington pulling dry van. In 2005, Bruce joined the driving force, stating their family-oriented atmosphere helped influence his decision. He stayed out one to two weeks at a time, depending on freight. Throughout his 11 years with Gordon Trucking, Inc. Bruce earned several awards for his outstanding service and excellent safety record. Of his top accolades to name a few are Driver of the Month in 2014 from the Indiana Motor Truck Association, Driver of the Month by Gordon Trucking, Inc. in 2015, and reaching his million-mile mark with the company last year. Also in 2016, came his highest honor being named, Master Truck Driver by the Indiana Motor Truck Association. This award was presented for his community work, participation in the Truck Driving Championships, and his accident-free record. When I asked Bruce his opinion on what it takes to achieve a successful career like his he directed the attention to another person. “I just do what I do. It was Terry Clay, my fleet manager and safety director at Gordon Trucking, Inc. that nominated me for the Master Driver Award. She played a big part of me getting the award and the recognition that I have received. If it wasn’t for her, I wouldn’t be where I am with the company. All I do is work to the best of my ability, but I do owe her special thanks,” Bruce said.
He continued to give a few more examples of what has helped him in his own personal journey as a truck driver. Patience; the ability to recognize your surroundings at all times. Learning; gain knowledge for growth. And a strong support system. He says, “Deborah is my backbone. She supports me 100%! She takes care of everything at home, so when I’m there we get to enjoy our time together. And when she’s with me on the road, she makes everything better.”
Heartland Express took ownership of Gordon Trucking, Inc. four years ago. Last July, the two companies merged as one. Bruce describes the transition as a welcomed adjustment. “Many of us are still getting accustomed to the way of doing things, but on the upside, there are several positives. Like, the driver pay and newer equipment. I believe Heartland Express is a good company that is very driver based, which is huge. It’s still a growing process, but they strive to keep their drivers happy.”
Driving for a reliable trucking company that values his dedication and recognizes his efforts, reminds Bruce why he is proud of his profession. Having come full circle back to the original meaning of trucking: to buy and sell, exchange, swap, trade or do business, just as his father preformed as a milk man delivering bottles from the back of a small-scale truck. Bruce states, “As a truck driver for the United States, this is my way of keeping America going. I’m proud to be a part of this great trucking industry. We keep everyone supplied with everything ever possibly needed. We are also the eyes and ears out here. We’re the protectors of the road and I take that very serious.”
Helping Hands
Bruce declares his proudest moment being the day he and Deborah exchanged vows. The year of 2014, his plans were to begin running coast to coast for Gordon Trucking, Inc., but in one fell swoop that plan came to a halt. Deborah owned a scooter that she had prepared to sell. On what she envisioned to be her farewell ride before parting with the scooter took an ugly turn. The rear tire was low on air, causing the tire to come off the rim. Deborah landed on her knee, sending her straight to the trauma unit with a tibial plateau fracture and damage to both her meniscus and ACL. “She was in there for 30 hours! To help hold Deborah’s leg together and keep it straight, they had to insert a graphite bar and four pins in place until her second surgery. She was unable to walk for five months,” Bruce stated.
During that time, between the following trucking organizations: St. Christopher’s Fund, JRBM, and the drivers’ chat line JBC (Just Because Café) drivers, families, and friends from all over came together to help Bruce and Deborah pull through the terrible accident. Prayers were answered, donations were made and food was brought to their house. After five months, through various channels at Gordon Trucking, Inc. and North Liberty Bruce was given local runs to be home every night and on the weekends with Deborah. By February 2015, he went back to running over the road.
Because of the helping hands of others, Bruce was able to be with Deborah every step of her recovery. Now that the dark cloud has cleared, they never pass up the opportunity to give back to the people that came to their aid when they needed it the most. Together, they volunteer at truck shows to raise money for special needs and children battling cancer. They are active in charities such as, Truckers United for Charities and Mom N Pop’s Pit Stop Charity Ride. So, going back to when I spotted the TV box sitting in the booth of another charity, I understood that had it not been the TV, Bruce’s donation could have been a number of other things. One thing is for certain, his generosity is inspiring.
When Bruce and Deborah are not away on the road, they stay just as involved when they are home. They are members of the Eagles in Zephyrhills; F.O.E., the Fraternal Order of Eagles -an international non-profit organization that encourage equality and justice. They are known for many accomplishments: establishing the holiday, Mother’s Day, their program in support of ending job discrimination based on age, and fighting to keep the Commandments in public places. Also, when they are home they work special events as volunteers for BACA; Bikers Against Child Abuse. The list of humanitarian projects both Bruce and Deborah stay involved with prove that there are many ways to make a difference in this world. Unless a person is put in a position of need, most charities go unnoticed. Awareness is key. Richard’s testimony speaks volumes to how easy it is to help others. Find a passion and get involved. The outreach is endless. To give unselfishly, whether in the form of currency, action, or kind words all good deeds serve a purpose no matter how large or small.
When speaking with Deborah, she says that it’s her husband’s loyalty and honest intentions that have shaped his career to be the positive example we read about today. She adds, “He genuinely enjoys what he does. He cares about providing good customer service and getting his loads to where they need to be on time. And giving back to others is just as important to him as the job. I’m grateful that he works so hard every day and that he does it safely. I appreciate his hard work and the dedication he puts forth in all that he does.”
From the very beginning, Bruce’s initial introduction to trucking was witnessing his father deliver a key staple needed at most all homes every day. That pride was passed on to him and continues to show through his professional work and the years devoted to philanthropy.