Col. Bruce Allan Brown (USAF Ret.)

After a long career of service to his country, followed by well-deserved years of relaxation and enjoyment in his retirement, Col. Bruce Allan Brown (USAF Ret.) passed away on April 14, 2023 in Lansing, MI at the age of 85.

Even while living around the country and across the globe, Bruce always considered Lansing home. Born in Mt. Clemens, Bruce moved to Lansing when he was ten years old, attending school here before attending Michigan State University in nearby East Lansing. It was in Lansing, in high school, that he met Janet, his sweetheart and eventual wife of 65 years, and it was to Lansing that they returned in the last years of his life.

After graduating from MSU, Bruce joined the Air Force as a commissioned officer, rising to the rank of Colonel during 25 years of service before retiring in 1984, during which he served three tours of duty during the Vietnam War as crewmember on B-52 aircraft flying more than 100 combat missions and accruing more than 7000 flying hours, as well as in instructor and staff positions. In the course of an illustrious career, he was awarded the Bronze Star, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, five Air Medals, two Air Force Commendation medals, and the Legion of Merit.

Bruce’s life of service was matched by his devotion to his family.  He loved spending time with his children and their families, frequently traveling to visit them wherever they lived throughout the country. He took great pleasure in ensuring that, wherever he was stationed, the family were able to take advantage of opportunities to experience local culture and sites, with a highlight being the years they lived in Naples, Italy and were able to immerse themselves in Italian art, cuisine and history, and travel throughout Europe as well.

In his later years, he was content to relax in his home in the Lansing area as well as spend time at “the lake house” in the north of Michigan. His family will always remember his exuberant laughter and his magnanimous warmth; for a man of great dignity and accomplishment, he had a deeply silly sense of humor.

Bruce is survived by his wife Janet Thayer Curry Brown, his children Elizabeth (Jeffrey) Weihl, Allan (Julia) Brown, Carroll (Kay) Brown, and Manning (Jennifer) Brown; his grandchildren Eva, Stefan, Erin, Jacy, Preston, Donovan, Connor and Austin and their spouses; and his great-grandchildren Lydia, Eric, Alexandra, Madelyn, Julius, Sonya, and Isaac.

There will be a graveside service at Felt Plains Cemetery (118-242 East Scofield Road, Leslie, Michigan) on Sunday, April 23, 2023 at 1 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Hospice of Lansing Stoneleigh Residence. Arrangements are by the Estes-Leadley Greater Lansing Chapel.