At Eastchester Jr. High and High School, Bruce was always kind. At a time when being a smart girl wasn't popular, it was great knowing a small group of boys and girls who enjoyed intellectual conversations. Thank you to our Reunion organizers who gave us a chance to get together again. May Bruce's memory be a blessing.

Like my  Eastchester friends and classmates Dan and Bill, I too mourn the loss of a dear, dear soul.  Bruce was one of the kindest and gentlest of men, from his earliest youth.  We met in junior high school and remained friends, along with Jerry,  Ronnie, and Fr. Francis (and their parents), and many, many others as well.  He was truly beloved,  a violin virtuoso of the first order, whose talent far exceeded mine as a failed piano accompanist (though he was patient with me).  He later continued his dad's legacy on double bass, playing for orchestras,  jazz ensembles,  and musicals.  I'll never forget him. His impact, as a music practitioner, activist, and ambassador, was immeasurable.    Nathan

I was lucky enough to call Bruce a friend for over 40 years. I met Bruce and Carol in the Arlington Symphony shortly after they were married. My late husband, Bob, and I became fast friends with them, sharing music, parenting tips, and many good times. Bruce was a talented and knowledgeable musician and an all-around wonderful, kind person. I most recently saw Bruce in Philadelphia earlier this year when several of us went to a Philadelphia Orchestra Concert and dinner with him. He seemed great and was in regular form, talking music and filling us in on his kids and the apple of his eye -- granddaughter Emily.  I will miss him, and send my love and deepest sympathies to Sarah and Eric.  

My deepest condolences on the loss of your father.  He was a wonderful and a cheerful person!  You and your family are in my prayers. 

Bruce was one of my first friends when our family moved to Eastchester in 1962. He invited me to his 13th birthday party in 1963 - one of the few people to be so generous. We lived only a couple of blocks apart, he on Parkway Circle, me on Greenvale Place. We were in Orchestra together throughout Junior and Senior High School, my 2nd Violin never as good as his 1st. Violin (and oboe!) We were all part of the quiet bookish crowd and I was happy that we all went to Cornell as a group of 7. We stayed in touch as I moved back West and Bruce to Washington and married. We saw each other for lunch a few times when I was in DC - a lovely, quiet man - may his memory be a blessing to all who knew him.

I was honored to have worked with Bruce for some two decades at the National Center for Education Statistics. Bruce was an expert statistician who helped me resolve dozens of complex issues on some of our most important education statistics reports. I particularly appreciate his expert input on the annual Condition of Education report to Congress. In addition, he brought his expertise to improve our School Crime report series.  Bruce was always such a pleasure to work with-taking the time to carefully explain complicated issues and helping us find the right balance in addressing sensitive issues.  I deeply appreciate Bruce's thoughtful support for his colleagues and his public service to improve education across our country. 

I met Bruce in the fall of our sophomore year at Cornell as we were moving into the French-Russian Co-op, where we soon mostly gave up the plan to speak those languages, but did forge lifelong friendships.  Bruce was a serious and gifted student, staying on course through all the tribulations of those years.  And he was the man he always would be, kind, considerate, generous, measured and patient.  I am grateful to Bruce for his support, with Carol,  and for all the good times we shared, including last month at the Philadelphia Museum, when he was his old self.  I will miss him and wish his family peace as they face the loss.

We fondly remember Bruce from our days together, first in the Arlington Symphony, followed by the NIH Philharmonic. Music friends are the best: the sheer emotion of making music, the annoyance of mean conductors, laughing about the other sections of the orchestra, but most of all--discussing what the composers and their compositions mean to us. We met Bruce and Carol before they married (she was Tumbleson then). We visited them in their small townhouse on High Street in Arlington and babysat for their two babies. 

Two non-music Bruce stories come to mind:

1) While in their Woodbridge home, Carol expressed a desire to move the china cabinet to the other side of the dining room. Bruce assured her he could do it. . .and Carol moved on to another activity. HOWEVER, Bruce decided to move the china cabinet without unloading it. Needless to say, this lead to a disaster. A sizeable portion of Carol's prized china--which she had inherited from her mother--was broken in the attempted move.

2) Bruce acquired his first color printer. He became distressed when it began using more ink than he expected and required frequent (and expensive) cartridge replacements. His puzzlement was finally resolved when he discovered Sarah's fascination with The Spice Girls had resulted in her daily (and frequent) printing of any pictures related to them that she could find.

We still re-tell these stories to the present. Rest well, our friend. You will be missed.

Sheila Wexler, cello, and John Fuller, timpani

I was so fortunate to work closely with Bruce and Carol at the Youth Orchestras of Prince William as conductor and Music Director for 14 years. Their love and passion for music and especially musical opportunities for kids was incredible. Together they believed that music was for everyone, and they worked hard to make YOPW a welcoming and nurturing environment for all - regardless of financial or personal situation. Bruce’s voice at our board meetings was always one of wisdom and kindness.  Sending my sincerest condolences to you both, Sarah and Eric. 

I enjoyed working with Bruce scoring and reporting stats for swim meets. Our Old Bridge neighborhood team competed early Saturday mornings and Bruce was always there with a smile and good humor. It was my great pleasure to know him.

It seems like just yesterday at our last Eastchester HS class of 1968 reunion that I was enjoying time catching up with Bruce, taking pictures with him on the steps of EHS, and having breakfast with him on Sunday morning the day following the reunion in White plains NY. I went to grade school with Bruce at Greenvale Elementary. On my walk home after school I would pass Bruce's street, Parkway Circle. I still have a vivid memory of Bruce carrying his violin case on his walk home. One year, around 2014 I traveled to Washington DC for a wedding and met up with Bruce for lunch. I am so sorry for your loss, Bruce will be missed and remembered! Bill

1962 Graduation — with Next to last row 5th from left I believe

I was alone, living across the country, and Bruce reached out to me and invited me to celebrate Thanksgiving with himself, Sarah, and Eric. I'm certain all three of them never realized how much that meant to me. Such a kind man. I will be thinking about you guys often and I hope you can find peace through these difficult times.