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<p><em>Bruce Alan Wilhelm</em>, the youngest of three boys, was born on July 17, 1955 in Baltimore, MD to William and Anna Wilhelm of Dundalk, MD. In his youth, Bruce played soccer and lacrosse, as well as guitar (with his brother Phil) in the neighborhood pickup band. He earned the nickname of “Bosco” (as in bear) for a minor, humorous indiscretion. </p>
<p>In 1973, Bruce graduated from Dundalk High School and received an appointment to USMA. He followed in the footsteps of his great great uncle William Herman Wilhelm, Class of 1888, who was the youngest in his class to graduate and the first of his class to be killed in a military conflict. As a cadet, Bruce attended flight school (receiving an FAA commercial instrument pilot rotorcraft-helicopter license), played junior varsity lacrosse for three years and belonged to the Ski Club. </p>
<p>Bruce graduated from West Point with an undergraduate degree in general engineering (with a concentration in aeronautical engineering). He served his country in various military and civilian roles for over 40 years with the first nine on active duty. His initial training included Airborne School at Fort Benning, GA and the Transportation Corps Officer Basic Course at Fort Eustis, VA. Bruce’s first duty assignment was as a platoon leader in the 84th Transportation Battalion at Hunter Army Airfield, GA. In 1980, his branch transferred to the Aviation Corps and graduated with honors from flight school at Fort Rucker, AL. He was then assigned to the Maintenance Test Pilot School and tested 12 aircraft types in a high-risk environment. With a permanent change of station to Fort Ord, CA, he became an Apache helicopter pilot and served as a maintenance officer with the 7th Combat Aviation Battalion. Bruce completed the Army Officer Advanced Course at Fort Eustis, VA before separating from active duty in 1986 as a captain. </p>
<p>Bruce moved to Annapolis, MD to begin his civilian career. His first employer was AIRINC in Riva, MD, where he served as a senior engineer in a project management role. In 1996 he moved to California, MD to work for the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) for 23 years. His last position was as the director of industrial business operations, for which he led the efforts of a multi-functional team of NAVAIR, Navy, and Joint Force employees. </p>
<p>Throughout his time at NAVAIR, Bruce continued his uniformed service with 15 years in the Maryland Air National Guard as the deputy commander, Logistics, at Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD and with six years in the U.S. Army Reserve as the assistant deputy commander, Logistics, at the Defense Supply Center, Richmond VA. He served overseas in Somalia and Afghanistan in support of military operations. He attended the Command and General Staff College in 1994 and ultimately retired in 2008 as a colonel. </p>
<p>Bruce often said that what he enjoyed most professionally was leading dedicated people in the exercise of accomplishing meaningful and extraordinary things. It’s no wonder that he received 33 awards during his illustrious military career, including the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal (three oak leaf clusters), the Joint Command Service Medal, and the Army Commendation Medal (two oak leaf clusters). He was presented with the Silver Order of St. Michael Award by the Army Aviation Association of America for his significant and enduring contributions to Army aviation. </p>
<p>Bruce was admired and will always be remembered for his kind heart and for being a friend to all whom he encountered. He loved music and playing the many guitars in his impressive guitar collection. As an active member of the Maryland Saltwater Sportfishing Association, Bruce personified the association’s quintessential lifestyle on his boat with family and friends amidst the vast majesties of Maryland’s Chesapeake Bay.</p>
<p>After a six-month battle with cancer, Bruce died on December 11, 2019 surrounded by his loving family and friends at his home in Swan Point, MD. He will forever be respected for the grace, bravery, and integrity he showed throughout his life and in his final days. A “Celebration of Life” was held for Bruce on December 20, 2019 and interment with full military honors was held on November 9, 2020 at Arlington National Cemetery. </p>
<p>Bruce is survived by his wife Diana L. Havenner of Swan Point, MD, and by his loving daughter, Anna V. Wilhelm, both of whom selflessly ensured that in his final months Bruce received compassionate care and died with dignity. Also surviving Bruce is his loving son, William H. Wilhelm (partner Corrin Griffith) of Rising Sun, MD; his father, William J. Wilhelm, and older twin brothers, William “Billy” Wilhelm and Phillip J. Wilhelm (wife Bonnie), all of Machipongo, VA; his father-in-law, John “Jack” Havenner of Swan Point, MD; his prior spouse and mother of his children, Emily Harmon of Staunton, VA; his first spouse, Kathy Easom of Panama City, FL; his step-daughter, Brittani Croft (husband Dustin) and her children: Weston and Hayden, and step-son John-Brooks “JB” Bowling; nephews, Alex Wilhelm (wife Emily) and John Wilhelm (wife Christina); nieces: Ola Wilhelm, Yana Wilhelm and Victoria Wilhelm; as well as a large, close-knit family of uncles, aunts and cousins, many of whom are members of the Surotchak and Stoffa families of Pennsylvania. </p>
<p><em>— Anna V. Wilhelm, Diana L. Havenner and Charles J. Bartolotta</em> </p>
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