John Robert Bruce

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John Bruce Obituary

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.

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Published by The Gazette on Mar. 9, 2012.

Memories and Condolences
for John Bruce

6 Entries

C. Abourezk

March 11, 2012

Dear Jeannette, Moira, and Doug,

I'm so sorry to hear of John's passing. What I strongly remember about John is that he always seemed to be truly interested in the things we kids said and thought and I always appreciated that. He asked us questions and actually listened to our answers!! I hope your good memories can provide you some peace and comfort.

Take care and best wishes,

Lori Langin

March 11, 2012

Jennette & Family - I wanted you to know how much I always enjoyed visitng with Bruce. He was such a kind, gentle man, but most of all, I could see in his eyes how much he adored his beautiful bride. May God use His soldier to continue the fight between good and evil and may the Lord bless all of you. We are better off for knowing this wonderful man. Lori Langin (Alpha Xi)

March 9, 2012

Dear Jeannette and Family, Our prayers and thoughts go out to you and your family. I was stationed with John at the AFA and had many conversations with him - both on the faculty and it the gym. The last time I saw him was at the Commissary aT the AFA. May he rest in peace. Robert (Bob) A. Zawacki, Prof Emeritus UCCS

March 9, 2012

Jeannette, Doug, Moira, and all your family, you are in my thoughts and prayers. I'm hoping to be able to attend the service tomorrow but have surgery this pm so will see how I feel. You have been friends for so long and I wish you the best.
Linda Glaza and family

Tony and Eddie Fangio

March 9, 2012

Dear Jeanette, We are so sorry to hear of the loss of your dear husband and our friend, John. But are reminded a sunset on earth is a sunrise in heaven. We are praying the Lord will comfort you with his peace.... surround you with His love... and encourage you with His presence.
"... Jesus Christ... has loved us and given us everlasting comfort and hope..." II Thessalonians 2:16

Yishav Arutz Zaza

March 8, 2012

To my friend John Bruce I pray the Kaddish for you and to Mrs Bruce and family my deep condolences.

May His illustrious name become increasingly great and holy
In the world that He created according to His will, and
may He establish His kingdom
And may His salvation flourish and the Messiah come soon
In your lifetime and in your days
and in the lifetime of all the house of Israel
Speedily and soon. And say amen

May His illustrious name be blessed always and forever.
Blessed, praised, glorified, exalted, extolled
Honoured, raised up and be the name of the Holy one blessed be He
beyond every blessing hymn, praise and consolation
that is uttered in the world. And say amen

May abundant peace from heaven, and good life
Be upon us and upon all Israel. And say amen

May He who makes peace in His high places
Make peace upon us and upon all Israel,
And say amen
Yit-ga-dal v-yit-ka-dash shmeh ra-ba. Amen.
De-hu ateed le-'ha-data alma. Ul-a'ha-a mita-ya. Ul-shakh-lala hey'h-la. ul-mif-rak 'ha-yaya. Ul-miv-ney kar-ta dirush-leym. Ul-me-ekeyr pul-'hana de-eleela-ya mey-ar-a. Ul-atava ful-'hana ya-keera dish-maya le-had-rey ve-zee-vey vee-karey (Amen).
B-'ha-ye-'hon ub-yo-me-'hon, ub-'ha-ye d-'hol bet yis-ra-el, ba-a-ga-la u-biz-man ka-rib, ve-im-ru Amen.
Ye-he shmeh ra-ba m-ba-ra-'h, le-a-lam le-al-me al-ma-ya, yit-ba-ra'h.
V-yish-ta-ba'h, v-yit-pa-ar, v-yit-ro-mam, v-yit-na-se, v-yit-ha-dar, v-yit-a-le, v-yit-ha-lal, shemeh de-kud-sha bri'h hu. (Amen).
Le-e`-la min kol bir-'ha-ta, shi-ra-ta, tush-b-'ha-ta, v-ne-'h-ma-ta, da-a-mi-ran be-al-ma, ve-im-ru Amen.
Tit-kaley 'har-ba ve-khaf-na umo-tana u-mar-een bi-sheen ya-dey min-nana u-min-khon u-mey-al a-mey Yis-ra-el, ve-im-ru Amen.
Ye-he shla-ma ra-ba min shma-ya ('ha-yim), 'ha-yim, v-sa-ba, vi-shu-a, v-ne-'ha-ma, v-she-za-ba, ur-fu-a, ug-u-la, us-li-'ha, v-'ha-pa-ra, v-re`-va'h v-hats-a-la, la`-nu ul-'hol a-mo yis-ra-el, ve-im-ru Amen.
O-se sha-lom bim-ro-mav, hu bra-'ha-mav ya-a-se sha-lom a-le`-nu, ve-al kol yis-ra-el, ve-im-ru. Amen