Benzel retires, ends 42-year career as Ritzville’s barber

For the past 42 years, Bruce Benzel has stood behind his customers as a friend and trusted barber at The Hair Center. Thursday, June 27, marks Bruce’s last day as a barber in the same shop and at the same chair where he began his career decades ago.

Bruce’s journey began in high school when he visited his uncle, Fred Benzel, in the shop and began to develop an interest in cutting hair. Over the course of his high school career, Bruce would bring friends into the shop and Fred would stand by and instruct Bruce on how to cut hair.

The relationship between uncle and nephew quickly grew into a partnership and just days after graduating high school, Bruce began attending barber school to earn his license while also studying at Washington State University in the fall. His entire experience as a barber and apprenticeship hours were all earned working alongside his uncle in the shop on Main Avenue, and the love for the job created a career that has brought joy into his life every day.

Bruce began in a part-time position at The Hair Center in 1967 and his full-time job on June 6, 1971, in the same shop his uncle had operated since 1946. The 22-year-old worked for seven months beside his uncle, but when Fred passed away the next January, Bruce took over full responsibility of the shop.

The experience and opportunity has been one Bruce has always cherished, and he has enjoyed being an integral part of the community. The stories and conversations Bruce has shared with his customers while they were in the chair are memories he will always remember.

The most important moment in his career and the experience he will never forget is his first haircut when he began working full-time at The Hair Center. First thing in the morning, Dan “Speed” Weber walked into the shop and announced he wanted Bruce to cut his hair.

Bruce remembers Speed for his enthusiasm and good-humor, and the photo Burt Kendrick snapped of Bruce beginning to cut Speed’s hair for the first time still hangs proudly on the wall in The Hair Center. It is this cherished memory that helped guide Bruce to decide what his final act would be as Ritzville’s favorite barber.

“I already have my last customer picked out,” Bruce explained, with emotion beginning to build. “Colby Schell. He’s the great-nephew of my first customer.”

For Bruce, the importance of Schell being his last customer stems beyond just the bloodline of Speed Weber and is a way to honor the man who gave him his start 42 years ago. From his very first day in the shop until Speed passed away, Bruce served as his barber and Speed holds a special place in Bruce’s heart.

Thursday afternoon, Bruce will stand behind the chair he started his career at and cut the hair of the great nephew of his first customer. The unique opportunity serves as the perfect way, and the only way, that Bruce wants to end his career.

The decision to retire has been in the works for nearly a year, Bruce said, as he has been trying to sell the business since last year. On June 24, Bruce signed the paperwork selling the building and the business to Shear Hair Design owner Kim Yaeger. The momentous occasion served not only as the day that Bruce sold his business, but he also celebrated his 41st wedding anniversary with his wife Vicki.

“I’m ready to retire, I knew it was my time. I want to quit while I still enjoy it,” Bruce explained.

“It’s been fun, I’ve never not wanted to come to work. And I’ve enjoyed the people, and all of the different characteristics of the people,” Bruce continued. “It’s been fun being a part of the community.”

Retirement brings about endless opportunities for Bruce, but his first priority is spending time with this three young grandchildren. Another large part of his life is golf, and Bruce also intends to spend a significant time fly fishing and traveling with Vicki, who retired from her position as the second grade teacher at Ritzville Grade School last year.

The Benzels plan to spend their time between visiting their children, Kimberly, who lives in Meridian, Idaho, and Ryan, who resides in Woodinville. Kimberly works as an internal auditor for Idaho Power and Ryan is currently working as a PGA teaching professional at Pro Golf Discount.

Aside from his work as a barber, Bruce has spent many years serving as a caddy for Ryan while he was on his golf tours. The experience allowed Bruce to travel to golf courses across the nation, meeting people and creating a bond with his son that he will forever cherish.

“I spent four years in a row caddying for him,” Bruce said. “Basically, for a dad, it’s the dream for your son.”

This is the first year Bruce has not been a caddy for Ryan, but he still watches all of his matches on TV, and many of them from behind the chair in the shop. While he misses walking the courses alongside his son, he is eternally grateful for the experience.

Ritzville has always been home for Bruce, and he intends to continue to reside in the community. Being active and present in the community has always been important, and one of the roles Bruce misses the most is his time as a firefighter. For 33 years, Bruce served as a volunteer firefighter in Ritzville and he enjoyed his service with the department as much as he loved his job as a barber.

Because of his long tenure as a barber in Ritzville, Bruce explained that visiting the cemetery always creates a feeling of nostalgia and he remembers many of his former customers.

“It’s unique to walk through the cemetery and remember stories,” Bruce laughed. “I have a lot of good memories, and a lot of good stories. There were a lot of characters in the old days.”

Bruce said his present-day customers have been aware of his decision to retire since he cut back to three days a week last year. Though he will miss working in the shop, hearing the stories and interacting with customers, Bruce is positive and excited to have Yaeger continue the proud tradition of haircuts from the shop.

For 42 years, Bruce offered specialty cuts and shaves that could not be found anywhere else in the area. Bruce still does straight blade shaves on a monthly basis for customers who want to treat themselves to a good shave, and many customers still come in for the famous “Ritzville fade,” a cut style attributed to Bruce and a cut believed customers cannot get from anywhere else.

On Thursday afternoon, Bruce will close up shop for the final time and leave The Hair Center after two generations of Benzels having owned and operated the shop. The bittersweet moment marks the end of a career for Bruce, but opens up his life to continue developing memories with those he cares about most.

For Bruce, his barber career ends with the strong sentiment that, “I started right here where I am ending my career. I’m still standing in the same spot 42 years later, at the same chair.”