Van Bruce MacDonald

Our brother, Van Bruce Mac Donald, passed away peacefully on Friday, May 20th, at 4:54PM at the Porter Hospice in Colorado at the age of 73. Van was a unique individual, who was challenged all his life by a condition called Asperger's Syndrome, a type of developmental disability that made it hard for him to fit into the “real world”. Van worked hard to meet this challenge all his life and once it was correctly diagnosed, and then treated properly, Van's efforts became substantially more successful. Van worked most of his life for Bayaud Enterprises of Colorado, where he was ever more successful in meeting the challenges of his condition, especially under the tutelage and mentoring of David Henninger, Director, who became Van's confidant, boss, friend, and advisor.

In David's words, “Van had a truly unique life combined with brilliance and struggle. He always sought to improve himself and “fit in”. To me, Van symbolized what Bayaud is and our values – a community that embraces differences and seeks to include everyone in the mosaic of what makes life worthwhile – being a part of a human experience that emanates from the heart and accepts every individual for who they are and where they are in their own journey. I am proud and honored to have known Van for 38 years and he taught me what it means to transcend my human frailties and rise above my inadequacies to be better for the experience of truly loving someone even if they cannot love you back in a conventional way. There was never a doubt in my mind that Van truly loved people and he felt included. Thanks to each of you who played a part in Van’s life through your love and compassion – he died in peace.” Clay and I don't know any way of saying it better.

Yes, Van did love people, his family, his friends, and the many people with whom he came into contact with each day at Bayaud. Even a friendly, “Good morning, Van” meant a lot to him, even though it often passes as a simple courtesy to many of us. The highlight in Van's life was when he was awarded a Master's Degree in Physics at the University of Denver.

Van will be buried on Friday, May 27th at 2:00PM at the Olinger Chapel Hill Cemetery at 6601. S. Colorado Blvd., Littleton, Colorado, 80121. Remembrances may be sent in his name to Bayaud Enterprises, 333 W. Bayaud, Denver, Colorado, 80223.