Richard Bruce is married to Andrea and the father of three children and three stepchildren. He has 10 grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

Though being born in St. Louis, Missouri at the end of World War II, his parents took him to Bothell, Washington and various hamlets in the territory of Alaska. His parents finally moved to California and he grew up in Silicon Valley. After high school at St. Francis, Mountain View, the U.S. government called and he served in the Armored Calvary with two tours of duty in Vietnam in 1969 and 1970. He commanded C Troop of the 2/1st Calvary Squadron with distinction.

Following military service, he participated in the boom of “Fast Food” restaurants in the United States, starting off in Missouri and spending many years with the Waffle House Corporation in Atlanta, GA. In 1996, he was named National Grand Champion for Waffle House because of his success in turning around restaurants over the last year.  After moving up through various corporate positions, he was offered the chance to be a franchise owner. For this, he moved to Colorado Springs, CO and developed the business of three restaurants. After selling these, he moved with his wife back to Georgia, this time settling in Dahlonega. This location, north of Atlanta places him in close proximity to his wife’s extended family.

Richard Bruce has participated in Scottish activities since 1988 when he joined the prior organization: Bruce Family International. While he lived in Colorado, he hosted games in Estes Park, Highlands Ranch, Elizabeth and Colorado Springs.  In 1994, he became vice president of this organization and was elected president in 2000. He continued in this office until 2005 when Bruce Family International and Family of Bruce Society merged.  For 11 years, he was either vice-president or President. In 2005, he was appointed High Commissioner of FOBI by Lord Elgin.

He has continuing interests in: Scottish History, Travel, and Fishing