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In Memory

My father: William H. Bruce

Obituary

[Note: I wrote this for submission to the Washington Post. Their final editorial version differed somewhat.]

William H. Bruce, 72, Dies; Diplomatic Courier

William H. Bruce, 72, a Diplomatic Courier with the United States Department of State for over 40 years, died of a cerebral bleed August 2nd, 2001, at Burlingame, California, during a return trip from Korea.

Mr. Bruce, who settled in Hyattsville, MD, traveled to over 200 countries throughout Africa, Asia, Europe and South America during his career, and lived in Japan, Panama, Germany, the Republic of the Philippines, and Thailand.

Born the youngest of eight children to cotton sharecroppers in Hope, Arkansas in the year of the stock market crash of 1929, he was one of only two to finish high school, and eventually went on to earn his Ph.D. from Columbia Pacific University. Personal growth, sociability, creativity, and a drive to expand his horizons characterized his entire life. He was known to quote Emerson’s, "Believe in yourself, and what others think won’t matter," a sentiment he encouraged others to embrace.

After serving two years in Japan during the Korean War, Mr. Bruce joined the Diplomatic Courier Service, eventually presiding as its Association President. He was highly regarded by his peers, and built many lifelong relationships with other couriers and their families. He was frequently known to engage and befriend citizens of the countries he visited, and his natural gift for warm and philosophical conversation helped endear him to most everyone he met.

As a real-estate investor and manager, Mr. Bruce provided and subsidized housing for individuals recovering from mental illness. Numerous other renters from the last quarter century will recall his thoughtful and helpful nature, and even-handed dealings.

An avid supporter of the Girl Scout movement, Mr. Bruce along with his wife Patricia were involved in more than thirty-five years of activities from conducting seminars, to participating in fund development and program activities. Mr. Bruce was also a substantial financial benefactor in recent years.

Mr. Bruce’s volunteer activities extended to public radio, where he assisted WAMU with Special Donor fundraising for over twenty years, including serving as the Volunteer Coordinator. He also provided specialized services for the Fairfax County Juvenile Facility, and for ten years participated in many of the volunteer activities of the First United Methodist Church of Hyattsville.

As the author of three books, Mr. Bruce shared his knowledge of the Diplomatic Courier Service ("Secret Messengers: How Governments Correspond"), real estate investing and management, and a biographical novel of his Arkansas youth, derived from his unfailingly sharp memory.

Mr. Bruce was a self-taught pianist, lyricist, and composer of musical pieces which were performed by the likes of the Paul Hill Chorale and the President’s Own Marine Corps Band. Additionally he invented and marketed numerous instructional tools for the music student.

Other entrepreneurial endeavors included a restaurant in West Virginia, and an Internet hosting and web site design business. When asked about his abundant drive and wide interests, he repeatedly cited his wife and children as his inspiration.

In recent years, Mr. Bruce was an active member of the Creative Exchange, an organization dedicated to the salon industry.

He is survived by his wife of 37 years, Patricia Bruce, of Hyattsville; son Robert Bruce of Odenton; and daughter Marlene Bruce of Washington DC.

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