Richard "Dick" Patten Bruce Jr.

Born in Deland, Florida on April 27, 1928, Dick was the son of Richard Patten Bruce and Frances Bonner Roberts Bruce. In his childhood Dick lived in Columbus, Georgia and then Atlanta. He attended public schools in Atlanta and graduated in 1949 from Georgia Tech, where he was a member of Phi Delta Theta fraternity.

Dick and his wife Carole married in 1990 and just celebrated their twenty fourth wedding anniversary in November. Dick has been a resident of Greensboro since 1986, an active member of First Presbyterian Church since 2000 and a member of the Seekers Sunday School class. For seven years, Dick also participated in Bible Study Fellowship. He was predeceased by his parents, sister Frances Powers, and brother-in-law Tracy Watkins.

Survivors include his wife Carole, two sons, Richard P. Bruce, III and wife Lauren of Pawleys Island, SC, their sons Patten (wife Laura) and Larkin, and Wilson R. Bruce and wife Cyndi of Greenwood, SC and their children - Will, McLaurin, Motsy (husband Jon and children Asher, Lorelai, Charlotte, and Micah) and Winston (wife Elizabeth) and three step children - Trey (wife Whitney and son Riley), Summer (husband Joe and children Rivers and Madyn), and Derek. Survivors also include his sister Marion McCleary, Carole’s brothers George and Tommy Watkins and sister-in-law Sharon Watkins.

Dick’s successful business career included a life of leadership, sales, marketing, and entrepreneurship with Milliken and Co., Texfi, Knitaway, Tube-Tex and numerous smaller enterprises. After retiring, he also played a pivotal role with the local chapter of SCORE (Service Corp of Retired Executives). His keen business sense, remarkable marketing and manufacturing savvy and positive leadership style have impacted many companies, markets and people.

In his last years, Dick’s passion and time have been dedicated to helping and serving others through FPC Jobs (now Triad Career Network), a powerful ministry of First Presbyterian Church. With founder Bill Linton, Dick and Jeff Claypool have assisted, supported, served and educated over 800 individuals and their families facing unemployment and/or underemployment, helping them achieve the next step in their professional careers.

Indeed, Dick’s love of the Lord, his family, and those he had the privilege to serve will be sorely missed.

Dick’s family sincerely appreciates the many years of loving and compassionate health care provided Dick by health care professionals in Greensboro and particularly his primary physicians and trusted friends, Dr. Michael Norins and Dr. Dan Bensimhon.

Burial services will be held on Sunday, 1:30 PM at Green Hill Cemetery followed by a Service of Witness to the Resurrection at First Presbyterian Church at 2:30 PM. The family will receive friends in the Virginia Gilmer Room following the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Triad Career Network, c/o First Presbyterian Church, 617 North Elm Street, Greensboro, NC 27402 or a charity of one’s choice.

On line condolences may be made through www.haneslineberryfuneralhomes.com.