Bruce Franklin Romer

A Memorial Service and Celebration of Life will take place at Strathmore Music Center, 5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda on Friday, July 21, 2023 at 3:00 p.m. Reception to follow.

Bruce F. Romer, of Bethesda, Maryland, passed away on Saturday, June 10, 2023, after a brief illness. He was 78. At the time of his death, he was surrounded by his family, and he is survived by his wife Kay Bowman of Bethesda, his children Laurel (Jason Warholic) Romer of Madison, Wisconsin, and Brian (Jennifer) Romer of Monrovia and grandchildren: Alex, Molly, Ryan, Jacob, Braeden and Emily; and was preceded in death by his grandson Eric and stepson Luke Ryan Bowman.

Bruce was born in Detroit, Michigan on October 14, 1944, to Benjamin Romer and Mildred Goetzke Romer.

Bruce was a dedicated public servant and relished work in local government. He served for twelve years as Chief Administrative Officer of Montgomery County, Maryland managing operations of Maryland’s largest local government. Prior to his service for Montgomery County, Bruce had been the City Manager in Rockville, Maryland. And before that, the City Manager in the following localities: The City of Davenport, Iowa, the City of Sidney, Ohio, and the City of Brighton, Michigan. For ten years, he served as Vice President for Administration at Westat, Inc. at its headquarters in Rockville and was a member of the company’s Ethics Compliance Committee.

Bruce was a member of the International City/County Management Association (ICMA) which represents professional local government managers throughout the United States and in other countries. He was elected President of the Association and served as Chair of ICMA’s Committee on Professional Conduct which enforces the Association’s Code of Ethics for Professional local government administrators.

He has served in leadership positions with the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, the Greater Washington Board of Trade, the National Associations of Counties, the District of Columbia Sewer and Water Authority and the Maryland Municipal League. He was on the Board of Directors of the Rockville Chamber of Commerce, SEEC (for People with Developmental Disabilities) and other community associations. He was a volunteer news reader at the Metropolitan Washington Ear.

At the time of his death, Bruce was Chair of the Montgomery County Maryland Ethics Committee and worked at WAMU 88.5 Radio.

Bruce’s undergraduate degree was received from Wittenberg University. He received a Master of Government Administration degree from the Wharton Graduate School at the University of Pennsylvania.

His hobbies included playing tennis, traveling and staying connected to the community. He was a 40-year resident of Montgomery County and was previously married to Carolyn Webb Romer.

Those who were honored to know Bruce personally or professionally remember him as a shining example of a man born to lead with passion and compassion.

To his family, he was the perfect balance of strength, wisdom, warmth, generosity and good humor. Bruce/Dad/Grandpa/Pop was the man to turn to if you needed guidance. Whenever questioning how to do something the right way, his family often asked WWDD (What Would Dad Do?) His sense of humor was much appreciated and intact even in his final days. His funny quips and alternate pronunciations of words was a source of great fun for the grandkids, especially. He was a wonderful provider and ALWAYS strived to show everyone a good time. He was the quintessential host and life of the party.

A memorial service will be planned at a later date. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to WAMU 88.5 Radio.