Cavaliers Remember Bruce Tietgen

Monday, July 16th, 2012 - 3:33 PM
By Christopher Lugo

Bruce Tietgen, 1939-2012

With great sadness for all Cavaliers and the entire Cavalier family, we share news that Bruce Tietgen passed away on Sunday, July 15, 2012, after battling a long illness.

Bruce's history with The Cavaliers began as a tenor drummer in 1954 and after marching snare for 1955 & 1956 he became drum major in 1957 through 1960. Bruce had a unique style that led The Cavaliers to our first VFW National Championship in 1957 and our second in 1959. After aging out of the corps Bruce returned to assist Don Warren in management, eventually becoming the Vice President and a member of the Board of Directors well into the 1970s.

Bruce had legions of friends, admirers and brother Cavaliers throughout his years of service, and he could always be counted on for his loyal support of the corps.

One of the best summaries of how we all knew Bruce came from 2010-2011 drum major, Brandon Cave. "I met him at a Fourth of July Parade in 2010. I was struck by his overwhelming kindness and positive spirit. I didn't have the pleasure of knowing him better, but as a fellow drum major, I gained a lot of respect for him from the advice he offered me that day. He will be sorely missed."

Brandon knew him as we all did - a role model representing what we all aspire to be as Cavaliers.

Arrangements will be posted when available. Please keep Bruce, his wife Elaine and the Tietgen family in your thoughts and prayers.

Bruce Tietgen leading the 1960 Cavaliers