Remembering Bruce

For those who knew Bruce Sharky I have sad new of his passing last Saturday in Baton Rouge, LA. Bruce passed quietly in has sleep with his family gathered around him. For those who may not have known Bruce personally; a bit of acknowledgement and remembrance of his accomplishments in Alaska and as a retired professor at LSU in Baton Rouge.

In 1974 Bruce was hired by Bechtel Engineers in Houston, TX to head up a team of landscape architects with Alyeska Pipeline Service Co. in Anchorage AK. The Pipeline Co. was required to prepared restoration for visible segments of the 800 mile pipeline corridor from Prudhoe Bay to Valdez. Bruce hired a team of LA’s including myself in1975.

In 1976 Bruce and Ken Pendleton formed the partnership of Land Design North to offer professional LA services in Alaska; (the first LA firm in the State). Bruce was both creative and successful in promoting business in Anchorage, Fairbanks, Juneau and many other locations in Alaska. Clients included public clients with the Municipality, other local communities and the State of Alaska, and Federal agencies including the USFS, USFWS, BLM, and NPS; as well as many private clients throughout the State. Notable projects included Landscape development along International airport road from the airport to downtown Anchorage and Minnesota drive. The design and development of over 70 municipal parks in Anchorage; numerous roadway landscape projects; and numerous commercial projects working with local engineering co. and architects.

Bruce was instrumental in organizing and assisting with the application to create Chapter membership with ASLA in 1976. He was active in the local ASLA Chapter serving as President, and many other positions over those early years.

Bruce was compassionate in promoting LA services whenever the opportunity arose. He introduced the first and second years application for licensing with the State in 1977 and 1978. Although licensing legislation was unsuccessful at that time; those attempts played an important role in bringing recognition of our profession to the state’s attention.

In 1991 Bruce sold his 50% interest in LDN to Dwayne Adams; when he left the state to resume his passion for teaching with the Department of Landscape Architecture at LSU. Bruce will be missed; and for his good nature to share with others his love of our profession.

Ken Pendleton, ASLA Emeritus