We were more than honored to present this year’s HOPE award to Dr. H. Bruce Rinker, forest ecologist, science educator, and an explorer who lives in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley. He is a five year survivor of GBM and author of A Pearl in the Brain: The Cancer Journey of A Scientist in His Search for the Seat of the Soul,
Diagnosed with a GBM brain tumor 4.5 years ago, Bruce’s tumor remains stable as he approaches the 5 year mark. Bruce has used this time to continue his mission of teaching and creating optimism in the world despite facing very real physical challenges. Ever the teacher, Bruce has published one book about his cancer journey and is working on a second. We are honored to feature Bruce and his unique perspective, story and mission.
One of his many nominees mentioned that she always thought of Bruce as an Unsinkable Molly Brown. For a decade he headed the Florida environmental office that oversaw the preservation of the Everglades. Prior to that position, Bruce had enthusiastically taught biology to high school students, even taking them to the rain forest. Although Bruce had a PhD, he by no means thought secondary education was beneath him, but rather was so important that it required all that he could bring. Bruce has given much to this world, and he still has much to give.