Bruce Hendrickson

Bruce was born on December 8, 1936, in Port Arthur, Texas. From an early age, he demonstrated the qualities that would define his life—hard work, independent thinking, a brilliant mind, and a lifelong love of the outdoors, especially duck hunting. As a teenager, he made his own water skis and used his car to tow skiers on the surf. By the age of 14, he had earned enough money mowing lawns to purchase a flat-bottom boat and Evinrude motor, allowing him to hunt ducks along the Intracoastal canals. Later in life, friends would good naturedly remark about his never-ending endurance while carrying multiple decoy bags through miles of salt-water muck, leaving his fellow hunting partners behind.

Bruce graduated valedictorian and served as class president at Port Arthur High School, where he was also an All-State center on the football team and was known among his classmates as “Big Brain”. He then attended Rice University on a football scholarship. Though a knee injury ended his football career early, Bruce continued to practice with the team and coach the Rice University “150 Pound” football team leading to some comical adventures. He received a bachelors and master’s in mechanical engineering, served as President of Rice’s Baker College, and graduated summa cum laude.

While Bruce was known for his strength and intellect, he also had a sensitive and creative side. He could sketch detailed and accurate drawings, and he enjoyed inventing. Bruce also had a gift for writing clever, thoughtful poems for special occasions, and was quietly generous.

Bruce spent the majority of his professional career at Browning-Ferris Industries (BFI), which he joined in 1969 as Vice President of Engineering. In 1983, he began serving as President of the newly founded American Ref-Fuel, a joint venture between BFI and Air Products and Chemicals. Throughout his career, Bruce’s leadership, vision, and loyalty contributed to the growth and success of the organizations he served. He was known as a warm and compassionate executive, dedicated to the success of the business, where he considered the employees to be his friends. Bruce retired in 1997, after 27 years of service.

Upon retirement, Bruce spent decades hosting family, friends, and former colleagues at his farm in Schulenburg and at his beloved Choya Ranch, nestled in the southern part of the Texas Hill Country along the Nueces River. If not for his family responsibilities, Bruce often said he would have chosen a career as a park ranger, spending his life immersed in nature. Bruce found his greatest happiness in sharing time with others. He cherished long family weekends with his children and grandchildren, as well as hosting hunts with friends, including an annual “father-son” hunt that he hosted for almost 30 years with his closest friends and coworkers from high school, college, and his career. He created lasting memories and strengthened relationships he had cultivated and valued throughout his life.

Bruce was preceded in death by his parents, R.D. Hendrickson and Bertie Pearl Hendrickson; his sister, Sandra Earle; and his brother, Thomas Hendrickson.

He is survived by his loving wife of 65 years, Ann Schudy Hendrickson; his daughters, Jill McLain and her husband Dewey, Amy Donley and her husband Steve, and Sue Lasseigne and her husband Mike. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Audrey Jackson and her husband Cole, Cole Edwards and his wife Kathryn, Jillian Donley, Cameron Donley, Jack Lasseigne, and Weston Lasseigne; and his great-grandchildren, Parker Edwards, Margot Jackson, and Rosemary Jackson.

The family would like to thank everyone who stopped by to visit Bruce in recent years, the caregivers who provided Bruce’s support, and Tom Stoner/Bill Srubar, the individuals who have helped the family maintain the properties that he so dearly loved.

A family reception honoring Bruce’s life will be held Monday, June 22nd from 2:00 – 4:00 PM at the Junior League of Houston, 1811 Briar Oaks Ln, Houston, TX 77027. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation or other charity of your choosing.