Bruce Alling Conway

BRUCE ALLING CONWAY Bruce Alling Conway, 81, passed away peacefully at home from a rare form of pulmonary fibrosis on August 7, 2024.
Bruce was born November 6, 1942 at the old Dixie Hospital in downtown Hampton to Robert Nelson and Janet Alling Conway. The oldest of three boys, he was predeceased by his parents and by his son-in-law Michael Scott Slider. He is survived by his beloved wife of 62 years, Carol, his son Dr. Robert B. Conway (Steve Riley-Conway), his daughter Catherine C. Slider, his brothers Michael Arne Conway (Phoebe), David Lawrence Conway (Gail), his brothers-in law Dr. Robert Moore Alexander (Susan), Dr. David James Alexander (Emily Philip), 9 nieces and nephews and 5 great-nephews.
Bruce graduated from Hampton High School in 1960. He then graduated from Virginia Polytechnic Institute with a degree in Aerospace Engineering, from The George Washington University with a Master of Science degree, from the Harvard University School of Business with an advanced certificate in management development, and from Old Dominion University with a Doctor of Philosophy degree.
Bruce’s early education and life values were greatly influenced by the Boy Scouts of America. As a member of Troop 20 at Armstrong Elementary School in Hampton, Bruce achieved the rank of Eagle Scout at age 12 years old, the youngest person at the time in the area. The lessons he learned as a Scout shaped his life. Without his knowledge of camp cooking, he and Carol would have starved in their early years!
Bruce began his career at NASA in 1961 as a co-op student in the 16-ft wind tunnel and retired in January 1998 as a member of the Senior Executive Service in the Internal Operations Group. He worked in the Space Station Research Group, the Applied Materials and Physics Division, The Flight Dynamics and Control Division, the Flight Electronic Division and as Chief of the Instrument Research Division. As a young research engineer, Bruce developed an experiment that flew on Skylab 3 called the Limb Motion Measurement System. Among his many awards and achievements was the selection for career development at NASA Headquarters.
Bruce was a member of Tau Beta Pi, Omicron Delta Kappa, Phi Kappa Phi, Sigma Gamma Tau, Epsilon Mu Eta and Kappa Theta Epsilon honorary fraternities, an Associate Fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, and a Past President of the York Lions Club. He was a registered Marriage Commissioner with the state of Virginia and had the joy and privilege of marrying over a dozen couples.
Bruce enjoyed a second career in education for 45 years with Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in their Worldwide Campus. Hired as an adjunct professor in 1977 to teach algebra at the Langley AFB Education Center, he traveled the world with Carol teaching in ERAU education centers. His dream of having a School of Engineering established was finally realized in 2022 when he was named the founding Associate Dean. He retired in June 2023 as Professor Emeritus.
Bruce was a lifelong Episcopalian and held positions of leadership and trust at St. John’s and St. Mark’s, Hampton and for 40 years at Christ the King in York County. He was a founding member of both St. Mark’s and Christ the King.
Often teased about being one of the last of the true Southern Gentlemen, he found joy in being a role model and mentor to his family, his friends and his students. Bruce was loved by many for his kindness, his willingness to help others and his positive outlook on life. He endeared himself to many by the way he lived his life.
A Celebration of Life Service will be led by the Rev. Lisa M. Erdeljon and the Rev. Dr. Steven R. Rottgers on Saturday, August 17 at 11:00 am at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 100 West Queens Way, Hampton, followed by a reception at the Hampton Yacht Club, 4707 Victoria Blvd, Hampton. The family wishes to give special thanks to Jeanette from Visiting Angels who has become a beloved member of our family and to our team of caregivers from Riverside Hospice at Home.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts are welcome as a way to continue Bruce’s legacy of teaching and supporting students. Gifts may be made to either the Bruce and Carol Conway Endowed Scholarship at the ODU Educational Foundation, 4417 Monarch Way, 4th Floor, Norfolk, VA 23529 or to the Seibel Student Award for Excellence in Gross Anatomy, MCV Foundation, 1228 E. Broad Street, Richmond, VA 23298 (Seibel Award in honor of Bruce Conway in memo line). Amory Funeral Home, Yorktown has graciously assisted the family