FAMILY, friends and the wider community are saddened by the sudden passing of Bruce Robertson, aged 69, on Sunday.

The well-known pharmacist devoted his career to community health, through his ownership of the Wangaratta's Phillipson Street and Curtis Adams pharmacies, along with pharmacies in Bright since 2011 and Beechworth since April this year.

Bruce's partner of 25 years, Kristine, said he was "loved, respected and admired", especially by her and son Alistair, and all staff across the pharmacies.

"We have had an outpouring of messages between the two of us and calls from the motorsport world around Australia and New Zealand," Kristine said.

"He was the first one to lend a helping hand with anything, he was loyal and always put himself out there.

"Being a pharmacist wasn't just a job for him, he put his whole heart into it and if he could fix it, he would."

Bruce was a member of the Pharmacy Guild of Victoria and representative for Goulburn Valley and North East Victoria for some 37 years, and was awarded a prestigious Life Membership of the Guild in 2019 for services to the industry, especially in the domain of rural representation and workforce.

He grew up in Rosanna and attended Rosanna State School, Macleod High School, and then the Victorian College of Pharmacy.

His affiliation with Wangaratta came through friends and colleagues of his parents, annual visits to the Australia Day tennis tournament, and other sporting connections, such as rallying.

Following graduation and registration as a pharmacist, Bruce very nearly worked at the pharmacy that he would eventually purchase from Alan Hildebrand, the founder and first owner of the Phillipson Street business.

Six years later, after managing pharmacies and owning two of his own in Melbourne (Thornbury and Richmond) gaining experience along the way, Bruce sent a Christmas card to Alan, which led to a handshake deal that, when Bruce sold his Melbourne interests, he would move to Wangaratta and buy the Phillipson Street business.

Community grassroots support and involvement was very much a labour of love for Bruce, but his extensive experience in all facets of motor sport meant that he was an industry mover and shaker, and he was for a long time.

Bruce had been involved with the Benalla Auto Club, and the North Eastern Car Club was in Bruce's motor sport domain, as he was a long–time supporter and sponsor of junior driver development programs and competitions.

The North Eastern Car Club sent its condolences to Bruce's family in a social media post on Monday noting that club members were shocked and saddened by the passing of their respected life member.

Funeral arrangements for Bruce will be published at a later date.