John R. Bruce

John Robert Bruce passed away early in the morning of March 6, 2012. John was born on June 25, 1936 in Crawfordsville, Indiana. His parents were Dr. Robert Wallace Bruce and Maud Louise (Moon) Bruce, and he referred to himself as a faculty brat from Wabash College. John left high school early to attend Earlham College one year, and from there he won a congressional appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy. He graduated in 1958 and was always pleased that President Eisenhower handed him his degree. Unable to fly in the Navy, he became a navigator in the Air Force. On December 19, 1960, he married Jeannette Louise DeSadier in Shreveport, Louisiana. Their son Robert Douglas was born on August 26, 1963 in Columbus, Mississippi. On April 7, 1967 a daughter, Moira Louise, joined them in Dayton, Ohio. John was a member of two air refueling squadrons, the 301st and the 901st. In southeast Asia he was a member of the AC130 gunship squadron. During his military career he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and several Air Medals and Commendation Medals. He also held a masters degree in aerospace engineering and an MBA. He retired from the Air Force in 1980 as the faculty executive officer at the United States Air Force Academy and started a career with Martin Marietta as a systems engineer.

John devoted a good portion of his time to civic responsibilities. At various times he served as cub master, a choir member and senior warden of his church and president of Gleneagle Sertoma. He also had been a member of the North End Rotary and the Winter Night Club. His interests were wide and varied, and he loved to hike in the mountains, play racquetball, attend Bronco games and any basketball game, as he was a true native of Indiana. He played a good hand of bridge and loved attending the symphony and opera. Regional basketball tournaments and the Santa Fe Opera were favorite vacation spots. Jeannette and he traveled the world and enjoyed each spot on the globe. He loved his church, adored his family and was an exceptional neighbor and friend. He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Emily, an infant nephew, and his nephew John Aaron. He is survived by his wife, his son Doug, his daughter Moira and her husband David Jones, and his three grandsons Rostislav William, Vadim Robert and Austin David. He is also survived by his nephew Dr. Bruce Rolfe and his family, and a niece Jeannette Anna Rolfe. The memorial service will be held at St. George’s Anglican Church, 217 Pikes Peak at 11:00 am on Saturday, March 10, 2012. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Wounded Warriors Project (www.woundedwarriorproject.org). Good night, sweet prince.

Arrangements under the direction of Swan-Law Funeral Directors, Colorado Springs, CO.