Bruce T. Briggs

Bruce T. Briggs, 81, died  Aug. 3, 2019, at his home in Fargo. Bruce was born Jan. 22, 1938, in Washington D.C., but had called Fargo home since 1969. After receiving his Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Washington College (Chestertown, Maryland), a Master’s Degree in Hospital Administration from the University of Iowa, and serving a residency at Montefiore Hospital in New York City, Bruce began work at the U.S. Public Health Service in Washington D.C. In that role he met D.D. Wightman, the head of Dakota Hospital in Fargo. Wightman sang the praises of life in the Upper Midwest and offered the young man a job as an assistant administrator. Bruce had never been west of the Mississippi and looked forward to living in a smaller city. Bruce, wife Joan and their three small children moved to Fargo in November of 1969. He once told his children, “I wanted to be in a smaller community, where I could feel connected and make a difference.” And that he did.

After working at Dakota Hospital for five years, he was named Executive Director of the Min-Dak Areawide Comprehensive Health Planning Council in 1974 and Vice President of Planning, Education and Development at St. Luke’s Hospital in 1980. His proudest achievement in healthcare was the creation and construction of the Roger Maris Cancer Center in Fargo in 1990. One colleague called him “the driving force behind the project. Without him the Roger Maris Cancer Center would not have become a reality.” Another colleague said Bruce had a “passion for quality health services.” Others pointed out how he’d go out of his way to put a smile on his employees’ faces, going so far as to spend hours on Christmas Eve making “Santa calls” to co-workers’ children.

Bruce was active in community organizations such as the Fargo Jaycees, United Way, Cass County Historical Society, and the Fargo Kiwanis Club (where he and good friend, Judge Larry Leclerc were “Kings of the Sausage Pit” for the annual pancake feed).

Shortly after the devastating, unexpected loss of his beloved wife Joan in 1992, Bruce worked for a short time in healthcare planning in Bismarck, but soon returned to Fargo-Moorhead where he taught healthcare administration at Minnesota State University Moorhead and consulted for hospitals in the region.

When he wasn’t working, Bruce was either golfing, sitting in his recliner watching favorite old TV shows or attending EVERY theatre production his grandchildren ever performed in. As chief critic, he always proclaimed Peyton, Drew, Laura and Jordan the stars of the show. He would do so loudly and would often talk to the directors of the shows afterwards to tell them how much he enjoyed the show.

Anyone who knew Bruce knew his great loves were his family, history (he was an avid Civil War buff – touring every battlefield he could) and food. At family dinners he’d always bring much more than needed. Seafood, Chinese, and subs were among his favorites. The first question he’d ask his children when they returned from trips was “What’d you eat?” He took it in stride when he’d frequently get teased for how much food he’d spill on his clothes and on the floor around him. When you have a passion for food as intense as Bruce did, it can get messy.

In 2008, after many years alone, he met Linda Olson of Detroit Lakes whom he lovingly would come to call “my lovely bride” and “my best friend”. With her he found love and companionship (and dogs and cats he didn’t think he needed or wanted, but came to love). They enjoyed traveling and just being together. He suffered a stroke in 2014 – the longest lasting effect of which was increased difficulty in speaking. As an avid talker, he overcame it and continued to tell his stories, tease Linda, and heap praise upon his children and grandchildren. It just took him a little longer.

In April of 2018, Bruce and Linda moved from Detroit Lakes to Touchmark where they enjoyed time with family and new friends. (An interesting side note: the executive director of Touchmark, Kari Dick, was a former student of Bruce’s who said she wouldn’t have gone into long-term care if it hadn’t been for him.) Thanks to Touchmark for the wonderful care.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ranald and Mary (Simpson) Briggs, his brother George Briggs and wife Joan Briggs. He is survived by wife Linda Olson, children Cheryl (Michael) Lausch, Tracy (Mark) Jensen and Bob Briggs as well as grandchildren Peyton Lausch, Drew Lausch, Laura Jensen and Jordan Jensen. He will also be remembered fondly by a beloved pack of Washington D.C. area relatives including, Sue Flory, Ronald and Anne Cook and all of the Cook and Flory nieces and nephews.

The family suggests memorial contributions be sent to Roger Maris Cancer Center (Sanford) through the Roger Maris Family Endowment or Civil War Trust at Battlefields.org

Visitation will be Thursday, August 8, from 5 – 7 p.m., in Wright Funeral Home, Moorhead, MN.
Memorial service will be Friday, August 9, at 11 a.m., in Trinity Lutheran Church, Moorhead, MN.
Interment will be at Sunset Memorial Gardens, Fargo, ND.