Alaska factoid herder retires from library

[XemaSab]

Bruce Merrell was the brain on call for the wild or wonderful tales of the state

It should be a crime against the state for a guy like Bruce Merrell to go free. The man knows too much.

He and the Z. J. Loussac Public Library go way back -- back to the days of little drawers full of index cards and electric typewriters with correction ribbons.

In the 32 years since his arrival fresh out of library school, this caretaker of the Loussac's Alaska Collection has been stalking some of the most obscure details of the state's most obscure past from its most obscure sources. And all the while he's been squirreling stuff away in the back pockets of his brain.

Calling him a walking encyclopedia of Alaska history would be a cliche. But if the shoe fits ...

http://www.adn.com/life/story/712761.html

Bruce and Sharon are friends of my mom's from way back. The reference to rebuilding the dock at the cabin? I once caught a 16 inch trout off the old dock. :D

[snowbear]

1. Good luck to him and his family!

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I was just at the Loussac Library yesterday (late afternoon) for about an hour or so... I love that place.

I hope your buddy and his wife enjoy their well-deserved retirement! ~~~