Bruce “Seric” Homeyer, rapier wit, “life of the party,” avid outdoors-man, accomplished trout fisherman, chef extraordinaire, and all-around good guy, passed away suddenly on New Year’s Day, January 1, 2017 at the too-young age of 64.

Seric was a man of many parts, known to some for his biting wit and entertaining personality that lit up the Delmar Loop in University City, to others as an avid outdoors-man who co-hosted the annual He-Man party at his country place near Steelville, MO, known to family and friends as a fabulous cook and good-hearted (as well as funny) man. Seric loved kidding around and loved kids, which earned him the nickname “Uncle Teaser” from his beloved nieces.

Bruce “Seric” Homeyer was the beloved husband of Catherine Marquis-Homeyer, dear father of Keaton Homeyer, brother of Patricia (Steve) Reeder, Barbara Homeyer, Joanne Homeyer, and John Homeyer, beloved cousin of Michael (Jamie) Homeyer, brother-in-law to Paula (Andy) Ayers, Harry (Linda) Marquis, dear uncle to Sarah (Bill) Richter, Katherine “KT” Ayers, Emily Ayers, Paul Marquis, Natalie Marquis, Marilyn Marquis and Juliette Marquis, grand uncle to Ian Shepardson, Shawna (Will) Shields, and dear friend to many.

A Memorial service will be held on Sunday, January 15, 2017, from 2 to 4 p.m. at Ambruster Chapel, 6633 Clayton Road, St. Louis, Missouri 63117. The memorial will be a celebration of Seric’s life, and those who knew him are encouraged to come and share funny stories and memories, and to bring photos to share. Seric loved flowers, but if you would like an “in lieu of flowers” option, his friend Sam MacHaffie very kindly set up a GoFundMe page, at https://www.gofundme.com/seric-bruce-homeyer-funeral-fund, to help with funeral expenses since Seric’s loss was unexpected and caught his family unprepared. Any funds left over will be donated to Missouri Department of Conservation in Seric’s name.

About Seric

Bruce “Seric” Homeyer was born in St. Louis, Missouri, and grew up there. He was always a unique personality who marched to his own beat. Seric grew to be a big man, six feet tall and stocky. His nickname “Seric” came about in high school, in part because some of his group of friends shared first names. This group of friends formed a band called “The Beard of the Prophet,” and then peppered the St. Louis area with references to a mythical beast called a Navarnagar. The rest of the group also sported nicknames, many of which also stuck. Seric was a rebel in high school, despite earning good grades. He traveled, participated in anti-Vietnam War protests, and formed a junior chapter of the Students for a Democratic Society, which got him a spot on President Nixon’s “enemies” list, even though he was the only member – something he found highly amusing.

He first met his wife Catherine while in high school but they were only friends then. Seric married his high school sweetheart Beverly Fite but the marriage only lasted a few years. After he and Beverly divorced, he reconnected with Catherine and they fell in love. They married a couple of years later in Lafayette Park. They lived nearby in Lafayette Square and after a few years, their son Keaton was born.

Seric kept the long hair he grew in high school, and later grew a beard. As both turned white and he grew more portly, children often mistook him for Santa Claus, which delighted him enormously, and he always played along.

Seric had wide-ranging interests – and good taste. He loved the outdoors, but also loved art and museums, theater (particularly Shakespeare) and good films. And, of course, good food, good drink and good times.

Seric’s taste in movies was both varied and well-developed. While he enjoyed big blockbuster entertainment as much as the next guy, his favorite directors ranged from Akira Kurosawa to the Coen Brothers. His favorite films included “Seven Samurai,” the Marx Brothers’s “Duck Soup,” “Doctor Strangelove,” “Cabaret,” “The Big Lewbowski,” and, of course, the Coen Brothers’ homage to Homer’s Odyssey and Frank Capra’s “Sullivan’s Travels” – “O Brother, Where Art Thou,” which played at the “He-Man” party every year.

Seric also loved good food and good drink, from fine French cuisine to New Orleans jambalaya to slow-cooked smoky barbecue (a specialty of his). Nearly everyone knew he was a fabulous chef who loved to cook for a crowd. He trained in Marriott’s banquet culinary program, became a trainer for other chef’s in the hotel chain, worked as a sous-chef at Bellerive Country Club, and opened his own restaurant, the Mississippi Saloon and Barbecue Shack, which won rave reviews from the Post-Dispatch food critic Joe Pollack. When Seric moved over to the Delmar Loop in University City, he switched to working the front of the house, where his big and entertaining personality won him many friends and followers. Seric spent many years as manager at Blueberry Hill and then Riddle’s Penultimate Cafe and Wine Bar, and while at Blueberry Hill, he was called upon to portray the Easter Bunny, Frosty the Snowman and Santa Claus, the latter a role he relished and continued to embrace in private life, much to the delight of children he met.

Seric had his “cultural” side. His love of history and architecture led him to buy a house in Lafayette Square, where he lived for several years, and where the Mississippi Saloon restaurant was located. He was an avid reader of history and historical biographies, and loved visiting historical sites and museum exhibits. He also loved art, particularly Van Gogh and Monet, and was sure to check out exhibits at art museums when he traveled as well as the local St. Louis Art Museum. He also loved exploring quirky roadside attractions and old buildings. His love of theater took him to the St. Louis Shakespeare Festival every year, and frequently to the Repertory Theater of St. Louis. While he adored Shakespeare, he also loved musicals (a true St. Louisan), with “My Fair Lady” as one of his favorites.

Seric had a wicked, biting sense of humor, and was noted both for his quick wit and ability to deliver the right zinger at just the right moment. Despite his sarcastic, sardonic wit, he was a kind-hearted guy who often used humor to diffuse tensions. He charmed most people immediately and was someone hardly anyone could dislike. He had his own progressive political views but was able to fit in with nearly crowd. He was always kind to people, and unfailingly polite and gracious. He was the most accommodating of hosts at the many “feasts” he held in his home or at his county place, “the Farm,” near Steelville.

Humor was something Seric enjoyed, whether making jokes, playing pranks,or laughing at professional performances. His comedy tastes included nearly anything Marx Brothers, Monty Python and Mel Brooks. As a fan of John Ford Westerns, “Blazing Saddles” fit the bill, and “History of the World, Part 1” tickled the history buff in him.

Seric was a big man, a big personality and a big heart, who has left a big hole in our lives and our hearts. He will be missed so very, very much.