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Bruce Goers Obituary

Goers, Bruce West 71, died Sunday, June 22, 2014 in Palm Springs, California after a brief illness. He was born February 12, 1943 to Mahala Emma and Robert Glee Goers in La Porte, Indiana. He is survived by his brother, Dennis Goers; and his sister-in-law, Grace, of La Porte; and one nephew, Jeffrey. Bruce attended the Chicago Academy of Fine Arts where he studied interior design and where he met his life's partner, Wayne Williamson, who died in 2009 after a 47 year relationship and partnership in business. Together they founded the firm of Insight Environmental Designs in Chicago and the iconoclastic retail shop, "Insight" in Highland Park, Illinois. It was groundbreaking in its conceptions and content. Many years after it closed, it's aesthetic influence has effected the manner in which ethnic, traditional and modern objects and art could be successfully integrated. Bruce and Wayne ultimately established the design firm Insight West in Palm Springs. Bruce continued a partnership in Chicago with Anne Kaplan whom he had know for 48 years at the time of his death. Bruce was an accomplished designer who carried himself with grace, and elegance punctuated strongly by his youthful good looks. He was a true professional who treated trades people, vendors, clients and friends with respect and was appreciated and loved for his vitality, humor, and kindness, as well as for his unparalleled design sensibility. He is survived by his loving friends, Maria, Manuel, Johnny and Marijane Alaniz, Josh Hancock and Anne Kaplan, and will be missed by many. A memorial gathering is planned for the fall. In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to the Southern Poverty Law Center, KUSC public radio or the Joffrey Ballet of Chicago.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Chicago Sun-Times on Jul. 6, 2014.

Memories and Condolences
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6 Entries

Danny Mitchell

November 30, 2015

I met Bruce and Wayne as a young man in Palm Springs, and through them I was exposed to a richness of culture and character that I will never forget. They were unique, gifted individuals and I will always miss them.

July 31, 2014

I'm so sorry to hear of Bruce's passing. As an antique dealer he used to frequent often I will miss his discerning eye and charming manner. He was a real gentleman and funny with his dry wit.
Deborah Colman
Pavilion Antiques
Chicago

Curt Kaplan

July 8, 2014

Bruce - I considered you a part of the Kaplan family. Always a pleasure to spend time with whenever I came to visit Burt and Anne. You will be missed by many.

July 8, 2014

Bruce and Wayne helped design my late husband and my first house in the desert in 1989. It was a joy to work with them and, as Clevelanders, learn about interior design by trudging through the LA Design Center and see things through Bruce's discerning eyes. We became friends and we were honored to be invited to their home one evening for cocktails around their fire pit. I will never forget their gentle natures, good humor, and incredibly wit. Stay safe, Bruce. Carol Frankel Cohen

Fred Wiedenbeck

July 7, 2014

I went to school in Chicago at the same time Wayne & Bruce did, so I have known them for a long time To me it was evident, not only of their exceptional talent, but the fact that they were an exceptional hardworking team. One hardly say one name without the other. They had a talent for taking ordinary things and seeing them in a new way, and then adding something totally foreign into the mix and creating a total new look Any designer, client, or customer, or other retailers who went into Insight would be lying if they said they were not someway influenced by what they saw. I can still see that shop in my mind, and can remember how I was bowled over the first time I went in.

July 7, 2014

Bruce we shared some wonderful times, thanks to you for my nickname, OB (other Bruce)
Bruce Boyd

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