Bruce P. Holmberg
"Bruce"

Company C-1

20 Feb 1939 - 26 Jan 2009

Place of Death: Bethesda Naval Hospital, MD

Interment: TBA

It is with great regret and sorrow that we must inform you of the death of our classmate, Bruce Holmberg, on January 26, 2009 at the National Naval Medical Center, Bethesda, MD, after a long and courageous battle with multiple myeloma.  Bruce is survived by his wife, Joan, their daughters, Anne Lauritzen and Leigh Rand, and four grandchildren. 

A graveside service was held at 1000 hrs on Friday, 6 February 2009 at the West Point Cemetery.  A luncheon followed at the Thayer Hotel. 

Bruce graduated from the United States Military Academy in June 1961 (order of merit 26 of 534) and was commissioned in the Artillery.  He earned his jump wings and Ranger Tab at Ft. Benning, GA, and, upon completion of the Artillery Officers Basic Course at Ft. Sill, OK, he was assigned to the 82^nd Airborne Division at Ft, Bragg, NC.  Bruce served in Vietnam in 1966-67 and attended the Artillery Advanced course at Ft. Sill in 1967.  After a three year tour in the Tactical Department at West Point, Bruce received his MBA at Farleigh Dickenson University in 1971.  In addition to serving in several Field Artillery command positions in Korea and Europe, he graduated from the Armed Forces Staff College and Army War College.  In 1983 Bruce was assigned to the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations and retired in 1984.  His military awards include the following: Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit, three awards of the Meritorious Service Medal, the Bronze Star with “V” for valor, Bronze Star with 2 oak leaf clusters, Air Medal, and Army Commendation Medal.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation, 383 Main Avenue, 5th Floor, Norwalk, CT  06851.

Condolences may be sent to the family at 1351 Sweet Pea Path, Crownsville, MD  21032-2020.

Well done, Bruce.  Be thou at peace.

Tributes:

Article from the Spring 2004 Edition – MYELOMA FOCUS – Newsletter of the MMRF

After being diagnosed with multiple myeloma in May of 2000, Bruce Holmberg retired from his job at an engineering firm, determined to live life to its fullest.  Three and a half years later, he's doing just that-beyond his or his doctor's first expectations and thanks to the help and hope he found through the MMRF.  When Bruce first retired, he thought he would spend his days skiing and fly-fishing. He hasn't forgotten his love of the great outdoors, he has found a new passion to occupy his days.  Bruce has what he describes as a "new full-time job." He volunteers for the MMRF and spends months recruiting myeloma patients to go to Washington and tell their stories to Congress on Blood Cancer Advocacy Day.  It's a job that takes detailed organization, planning, and great interpersonal skill.  "We start in December and work straight through the summer, recruiting advocates from all over the country and making sure they're prepared to meet with their Senators and Congressmen."  Before sending the advocates to Capitol Hill, Bruce gives them a "layman's lesson on how to lobby" and encourages them to tell their personal stories, while asking for congressional support.  In addition to his work with Advocacy Day, he has become an MMRF "myeloma mentor".  He presents his story to pharmaceutical companies, physician organizations and support groups to spread the information and hope that has brought him out of retirement'.  Thank you Bruce for being such a valuable MMRF volunteer.

Remembrances:

Class Memorial Pages\C-1 Bruce Holmberg.pdf

Today I received the sad news that Bruce Holmberg has lost his long and arduous battle with cancer.  He will be missed by his Family, Classmates, close friends, and those of us he has been working with while volunteering his time and energy to our Wounded Warrior Mentor Program.   A special thanks to Bruce for everything he has done for our Wounded Warriors - "Well done; Be thou at peace".  

 Dick Buckner '61

Bruce was a real warrior, a captivating guy, full of energy and a lust for life. I didn't know him for a long time but came to respect him and admire his courage under unbelievable set-backs in his fight to beat his disease. I remember him wanting to have both of his hips replaced at the same time even though he was taking heavy medications for melanoma. He said he wanted to get back on the ski slopes. I know I will miss him and think that we have lost a gifted leader and friend.  

John Herren '58

Bruce was a special man – an inspiration to those of us who knew him well. He cared immensely about everything he did. He fought through pain, sickness, and setbacks like no one I have known, all with a determined, positive attitude. Our friendship went back to Beast Barracks days when we met during in “Corps squad screening” for football. We then spent four years together in adjacent companies, often in the same academic sections. He was an athlete, scholar, and friend. We’ve lost a great member of our team.

Cy Shearer '61 

Wounded Warrior Mentors,

It is with sadness that I have to notify all of you that Bruce Holmberg passed away on Jan 26 at Bethesda Naval a fight of several years with multiple-myeloma. Several of you already have received word on Bruce's passing but the purpose of the message is to insure that everyone gets informed. 

Bruce came into our program three years ago when his Class of 61 joined our mentoring program.  I cannot add enough thanks or praise for the many creative efforts and contributions Bruce added to our program during the next two years before he had to limit his efforts due to his sickness. Bruce was a unique individual, All Army leader, avid skier, cyclist and a major 'hands on" worker/leader who made major contributions to our Program. Since I did not know Bruce before he joined our program, I was fortunate to observe and learn first hand his talents during the next two years. On the Army piece, I was fascinated by the his army career and how he had served in every division in the Army, several in combat..  It turns out he was a Tac at West Point as well. Bruce was an operations officer type who really jump started the growth of our organization from the small 58 nucleus to what it is today. Our program was the direct beneficiary of his people, organizational and technical skills learned during his many years as an Officer in the Army and in a following successful civilian life. His work with the WW Transition Brigade, the program recruiting effort and his his mentoring efforts with several severely injured Wounded Warriors were sorely missed when he had to pull back from the program. We missed him then and his passing is a major loss to our program.

To Bruce's family and his wife Joanne we offer our deepest sympathy. We can celebrate his life and have comfort that he is in a better place. 

Lee Miller '58

It was painfully inspirational to watch Bruce Holmberg courageously refuse to stop trying to help others.  We all saw him struggle to maintain focus and block out his own suffering so that he could help ease the suffering of our wounded veterans. At times when most people would just sit down and feel cheated, Bruce invested the last strength he could muster, caring about everyone but himself. He is truly a hero.

Bruce and his family are in my prayers.

Heather Bernard

I can only second all of your comments. Bruce was one teriffic guy. Just as one example, who else, with cancer and severe pain in his legs, could lead a motorcycle escort of two busloads of Walter Reed Wounded Warriors into Gettysburg, as he did on Memorial Day a year ago. We will dearly miss him. May he rest in peace.

Hank Kenny '61

In addition to all of us losing a great man, I lost a close and good friend!  I am deeply saddened but will endeavor to carry on his work in his name.

Jon Dodson ‘68

Bruce,
I did not know you well but through email and family contacts. I know your struggle though and the sense of security you surrounded your family with.  It is not that you have left us, but what you have left behind you that will be remembered and allow me to know you more.

 Travel safe to your sanctuary.

Wendy Holmberg

Bruce, you will be greatly missed by Steve and I on our yearly fly fishing trips to the Yellowstone and Henry's Fork. You always managed not to be skunked and as tough and persistent as you were we thought you would go on licking this thing as well. I can still hear you cursing the weeds at Harriman's Ranch! We will always think of you on our future trips so that you will still be there with us to enjoy one of your favorite past times. God bless you and keep you always with one more cast to throw.

Mark Jordan

I have searched for words that will somehow lessen the blow of Bruce's passing, thinking surely this word-smith had something to offer, but I find myself seemingly searching in a bare bin.

Don Holmberg

Obituaries:

HOLMBERG Col. Bruce P. Holmberg USA (Ret.) Passed away on January 26, 2009. Born in 1939 in St. Paul MN, he was the son of the late Donald and Betty Holmberg. He graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1961 and proudly served his country until retirement in 1984 when he and his family made their home in Rockville, MD. He was a devoted volunteer for the Multiple Myeloma Cancer Research Foundation, the Ski Liberty Ski Patrol, where he served as director, and the Wounded Warrior Mentor Program at Walter Reed Army Hospital. His loving family includes his wife, Joan D. Holmberg; his daughter, Anne Lauritzen, her husband Brian and children Daniel and Kristen; daughter, Leigh Rand, her husband David and children Matthew and Allie. He is also survived by his devoted sister and brother, Kristen Behan of Washington and Donald Holmberg, Jr. of Texas. Services and burial will take place at West Point, NY on Friday, February 6 at 10 a.m. Memorial contributions may be made to the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF), 383 Main Avenue, 5th Floor, Norwalk, CT 06851.

Published in The Washington Post on 1/30/2009