RIP Bob Bruce, 81, Nov. 1937 – Dec. 2018

We lost another MOGSouth stalwart.  Bob Bruce passed away on Sunday, 30 December, just shy of the New Year.  He was 81 years old. 

Most of the relatively new MOGSouth folks wouldn’t remember the Bruces but those of us that have been around MOGSouth for a while certainly do.  Wynell Bruce was a past president of MOGSouth so Bob was always there with the Morgan. 

My first introduction to MOGSouth was when Wynell was the president.  I was in some position of authority in MCCDC and had dealings with MOGSouth about support for a MCCDC MOG meet or some such.  This was around 1990 or so.  MOGSouth was seen as the ‘standard,’ organized, vital and aptly led. 

The Bruce’s lovely Blue Plus 4 2 Seater (Elizabeth) was always at the meets.  (There was a three wheeler, called Angus??, as well, that needed a bit of TLC. )  Bob was pilot for Eastern Airlines, then Eastern Airlines did their thing and Bob was piloting aircraft, island hopping as it was, in the Caribbean.  Bob took this all in stride and his understated sense of humor always rose to the top. 

At one point a MOGSouth event in the islands was discussed.  Now that would have been interesting!

Eventually the Bruce’s came back to the cars and house in Kennesaw.  The most memorable Bob moment for me was the phone call.  There was a message on the tape machine. Bob had called.  I returned the call, asking ‘what’s up?’  Bob was abrupt and asked frankly ‘What ever happened to the Five Dollar lunch?’ 

Now that took me a bit by surprise.  He was reacting to a recent MOGSouth event and comparing it to earlier times.  I think the question may have been partially in jest, but I failed to adequate provide a reasonable answer, so he kept hammering me.  Bob was a happy guy with an infectious smile.  He always expected the best. 

I do have to say, that I think of Bob and his question often these days, especially when I am negotiating, on behalf of MOGSouth, something that costs real money.  I guess his question left a mark! 

After that the Bruce’s haven’t been seen too often, although they maintain their affiliation with the club but haven’t participated in any of the more recent MOGSouth events.  I know, sometimes it is just too hard, or there are too many conflicts.  The trike was sold to Lee Gaskins, if I remember correctly and the Plus 4, I believe, is still in Kennesaw.

The obituary as posted is as follows.

Robert S. “Bob” Bruce November 10, 1937 – December 30, 2018 Robert S. “Bob” Bruce, Sr., 81, of Kennesaw, died Sunday, December 30, 2018. A graveside memorial service will be held at 3:00 on Tuesday afternoon, January 8, 2019, in the Georgia National Cemetery, Canton. Mr. Bruce was born in Michigan but had lived in Kennesaw since 1972, coming from Miami. He retired from Eastern Airlines as a pilot and was Presbyterian. Surviving are his wife of 59 years, Wynell Bruce of Kennesaw; son, Robert S. (Laura) Bruce, Jr., of Dallas; grandchildren, Rob Bruce, Alicia Bruce, Tyler Bauch, and Austin Bauch; great grandson, J J Bruce.

Collins Funeral Home, Acworth, is in charge of arrangements.   

GRAVESIDE MEMORIAL SERVICE – Tuesday January 8, 2019, 3:00 PM at Georgia National Cemetery, 1080 Scott Hudgens Dr, Canton, GA 30114