R. Bruce Brumbaugh, 92, Altoona, died Monday evening at his home. He was born January 16, 1932 at Hilltop, Lakemont, son of Roy E. and Mary (Books) Brumbaugh. He married Patricia L. Gery on June 22, 1963 in Harrisburg.
Bruce was a graduate of Phillips Andover Academy, Princeton University and Dickinson School of Law and was admitted to the practice of law by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court and the Blair County Courts in 1960. As an attorney he chose to be a sole practitioner, maintaining his office in downtown Altoona. During the first two years following his bar admission he was the business law instructor at the former Altoona School of Commerce, and served as law clerk for Blair County President Judge John M. Klepser during the 1960s. From 1960 to 1980 he engaged in a general practice with emphasis on real estate law, including four years as a Special Assistant Attorney General for the Pennsylvania Department of Forests & Waters, and twelve years as a solicitor, first for Kittanning Building and Loan Association, and then for Reliance Savings Association. During this period he was a member of the Altoona Zoning Hearing Board for many years and chairman for several terms, also serving at times as counsel for both the Altoona and Logan Township Zoning Hearing Boards.
Elected to the Bench in 1979, he served a ten-year term as a Judge of the Blair County Court of Common Pleas throughout the 1980s. Returning to private practice in 1990, he concentrated in areas of family law and decedents’ estates until retiring in November of 2008.
A violinist during his scholastic years, he was concert meister of the All-City Elementary and Keith Junior High School orchestras, was one of the youngest members of the Altoona Symphony Orchestra in the mid-1940s and performed as a soloist at various area church, civic and social functions.
Bruce was an accomplished tennis and table tennis player. He held the Altoona Boys and then Junior Tennis Championships during the 1940s, captained the varsity at Andover and was a member of both his college and military teams. He was undefeated at the National Intercollegiate Table Tennis Tournament while captaining Princeton’s team in 1950 and was the 8th Army/Far East Table Tennis champion first in singles and then doubles in 1954 and 1955 while stationed on Okinawa during a three-year enlistment with the United States Army Security Agency. Both as a youth and as an adult he won various table tennis titles locally, last holding the Altoona Recreation Commission Men's Championship in 1979.
Active in York Rite Freemasonry, Bruce was Worshipful Master of Logan Lodge No. 490 in 1967, Most Excellent High Priest of Mountain Royal Arch Chapter No. 189 in 1972, and both Thrice Illustrious Master of Mountain Council No. 9 and District Deputy Grand High Priest of the Grand Holy Royal Arch Chapter of Pennsylvania in 1979. For ten years, 1969-1979, he was Principal of the Twentieth Masonic District School of Instruction. He was also a former member of both the Jaffa Shrine and Royal Order of Jesters.
Initially a member, choirist, deacon and Sunday school teacher of First Presbyterian Church in Altoona, he later joined Fairview United Methodist Church where he served variously on the administrative council and as a trustee, youth leader, lay reader and Sunday school teacher, and as a choir member for thirty years.
He is survived by his wife of 61 years; five children: Jill D. in Altoona, Mark S. and wife Amy of Oakmont, Grant M. and wife Corilee of Altoona, Brad J. and wife Christy of Altoona, and Jolene M.S. of Altoona; seven grandchildren: Heather, Emily (David) Tini, Joshua, Sarah, Isaac, Ben and Zachary; two great granddaughters: Josie and Kennedy; sister-in-law, Dr. Rita A. Zelei-Brumbaugh; and two nephews: Pastor David R. Brumbaugh and Robert B. Brumbaugh.
He was preceded in death by his brother, Robert B., in 2001.
Friends will be received from Noon to 2 pm and from 4:30 to 6 pm on Friday, June 28, 2024 at Mauk & Yates Funeral Home, Inc., 719 N 4th Avenue, Altoona, 16601 where a memorial service will immediately follow at 6 pm with Pastor David Brumbaugh and Rev. Fred E. Hickok officiating. Inurnment will be made at Alto Reste Park.
Friday, June 28, 2024
12:00 - 2:00 pm (Eastern time)
Mauk & Yates Funeral Home Inc
Friday, June 28, 2024
4:30 - 6:00 pm (Eastern time)
Mauk & Yates Funeral Home Inc
Friday, June 28, 2024
Starts at 6:00 pm (Eastern time)
Mauk & Yates Funeral Home Inc
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