The Eugene Register-Guard

Lane County, Oregon

Monday, March 11, 2024

William Bruce "Bruce" Chase

May 21, 1931 ~ January 30, 2024

Bruce Chase was born May 21, 1931, and passed away on January 30, 2024, at the age of 92. He lived most of his life in Eugene where he was adopted and raised by Clarence and Marche Chase. The Chase family owned and operated Chase Gardens for over 100 years beginning with vegetables and moving into flower production over the decades. Bruce grew up in the business learning to manage the boiler house to heat the greenhouses. He became general manager and owner when Clarence retired.

Bruce and Katherine Merewether met in high school and married when Bruce was serving in the Army during the Korean War as a paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne Division. He attended the University of Oregon and met many lifetime friends through the Phi Delt fraternity, in addition to friends he met during his service in the Army.

Some of the activities that Bruce enjoyed included skiing, hiking and mountain climbing, golfing, piloting small planes, and white-water boating. He belonged to the Active 20/30 Club as a young adult, and later served on the Boards of Directors for various organizations including Roses, Inc., the State Water Resources Board, and the Eugene Country Club (ECC). His connection to the ECC began when he was a young caddy under golf pro Wendall Wood. He later became a lifelong member, serving as a Board member, and as President in 1972.

Bruce was predeceased by his youngest son Timothy Frank Chase (Regina) and his wife Katherine Merewether Chase. Bruce is survived by sons Bruce Allen Chase (Debbie), Peter Gavin Chase, and daughter Amy Chase Herman (Richard), six grandchildren and one great granddaughter.

A celebration of life will be held on Sunday, May 26, 2024 from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Eugene Country Club, 255 Country Club Road, Eugene, OR. Those wishing to make a donation in Bruce's memory may consider the American Cancer Society or Oregon Public Broadcasting.