BRUCE and Nicola Keighley established King Country Optometrists at Te Kūiti in 2008.
AS PART of the husband-and-wife team that provided the sole optometrist service to much of the King Country, the recent passing of Bruce Keighley has touched hundreds of ocular patients in the region. Many were shocked when Bruce, who had run King Country Optometrists with wife Nicola since 2008, collapsed following a cardiac arrest during a cycle race at Karapiro on September 24. Though he received first aid, was stabilised and then evacuated by helicopter, Bruce died at Waikato Hospital shortly after. A popular figure in the community, Bruce was admired for his caring and optimistic manner. Following his death, tributes poured in on social media, with some recalling the substantial contribution he’d made to the Te Kūiti business community through voluntary work for Legendary Te Kūiti and its predecessor, Te Kūiti Development Inc. Together Bruce and Nicola job-shared to open seven days a week at both practices. Nicola has now taken them over to run them Monday to Friday. “I’ve spread people out a bit just to sort of cope; this has banked things up a lot, though we still have some gaps for urgent work. By turning my professional life into a full-time-role the service has been able to continue. “The response of cards and condolences was sort of overwhelming following Bruce’s death. You sort of forget that you were not the only one affected. I know that people are happy and very appreciative that we are still here – keeping the service going is so important to many of them. “Bruce got a lot of satisfaction from his work. He enjoyed getting to know people, chatting and building up rapport. We’ve always assisted people who would find it difficult to go to one of the larger towns to see an optometrist, particularly people in Taumarunui.” Robyn Lindstom, a former chair of Te Kūiti Development Inc, said Bruce made a big contribution through his energy and commitment to the town. She well remembers him promoting Christmas giveaways, activities such as lucky shopper competitions and more. “Bruce had plenty of energy and was keen to see Te Kūiti thrive.” As a health provider herself (Robyn owns Active+ Te Kūiti Physiotherapy), she was aware of how valued Bruce and Robyn’s contribution had been in the community. Bruce, who is survived by children Laura and Hamish, is also remembered as a passionate cycling enthusiast. Nicola said growing up in Auckland, he used to organise road cycling trips. During their marriage, they had been keen mountain bikers before transitioning to bike-packing (touring) in more recent years. “Bruce was always organising the next holiday, the next trip, the next weekend away. He’d recently purchased a gravel bike and with travel opening up following Covid, we were discussing heading to Europe for a cycling adventure.” Nicola said Bruce had not needed anyone to tell him not to put things off as life was brief. “He’d come to that conclusion after watching my mum, who kept working past 67 but did not live to enjoy her retirement. From then on, he’d say don’t leave it till tomorrow – you don’t know what’s round the corner.” Bruce was 54.
