While we were busy taking down billboards at the track, Mr. Brucker came out and paid us a visit. I didn't know he walks a lap around the track every day for exercise. Using his cane in one hand and hanging on to the crashwall with the other hand, he eventually makes his way around the track. During his chat with me he recounted some of the neat things that have happened over the years. I learned a lot. Such as how the track office and caretakers house were moved there. One was a bank building on El Cajon Blvd. and the other was from 5th and Laurel in the Balboa Park area. He mentioned that his wife and Dianne Porter had planted most of the Palm trees. During our chat, what I first thought was an RC car, a discarded potato chip bag blew down the front straightaway to where we were talking. He bent over and picked it up. There already was a crushed aluminum can in his hand. He was very proud of the track even up to it's final day. And he let me take a few pictures. It was terribly sad to see Mr. Brucker finish his final lap with trash in one hand slowly inching his way off the track with his cane, his head bent down.
Earle Brucker Jr. passed away Saturday night March 28, 2009 at his El Cajon, Calif. home. He was 83. Private services will be held.