FAIR OAKS, Calif. – Dr. Bruce M. Beckler, 51, former resident of Maine, entered eternal rest on July 29, 2004, surrounded by family and friends after a long and courageous battle with cancer. He was born June 28, 1953, in Lewiston, the son of Mortimer and Alma (Brown) Beckler. He graduated from Edward Little High School in Auburn, Class of 1971. Bruce dedicated his life to serving his country and helping others. He served in the 82nd Airborne Division and 18th Airborne Intelligence Corps and was a Sergeant in the 490th and 445th Strategic Military Intelligence Detachment of the U.S. Army Reserve. He graduated summa cum laude from Indiana University with degrees in both Public Administration and Criminal Justice. He also obtained a Master of Arts in Forensic Science and a Jurist Doctorate Degree in Law. He had a 3rd degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do, was licensed to practice law in the State of Indiana, had a lifetime California Community College Teaching Credential, and was certified to teach over 30 California Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) classes. Although his life was shortened by illness, Bruce was an accomplished man. He started his career as an attorney in Bloomington, Indiana, and then became a special agent for the Federal Bureau of Investigation. For many years, Bruce was the Assistant Dean/Director of Napa Valley College Criminal Justice Training Center where he supervised all POST law enforcement training. He was the Dean/Director of the Sacramento Regional Public Safety Center for Los Rios Community College District, which provides both correctional and law enforcement training. Bruce then became a Deputy Inspector General with the Office of the Inspector General where he assisted with policy development, trained staff in the use of firearms, and conducted internal affairs investigations. Bruce also was a licensed private investigator. When he wasn’t working, Bruce’s favorite leisure activity was to play golf with his friends. After being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, Bruce turned to writing. He became a partner in a publishing company and most notable of the books he had written was the “California Internal Affairs Investigations Handbook.” He is survived by his beloved daughter, Kendra Kaye of Portland; parents, Mort and Alma Beckler of Orrs Island; a brother, William Beckler and his wife Rita; a niece, Brenda and nephews, Billie and Thomas of Alpharetta, Ga.; along with his many friends in California who became his west coast family. Full military services will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 7, at Finley Funeral Home, 15 Church St., Livermore Falls. Visiting hours Friday 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Interment Hillman Cemetery, Livermore. If desired contributions may be made to Sloan Kettering Cancer Research, PO Box 750, New York, NY 10021-0750. Letters of condolence may be sent to: finley@exploremaine.com
DR. BRUCE MICHAEL BECKLER
