Bruce E. Clingan

Bruce Clingan Obituary

Bruce E. CLINGAN Went to be with the Lord on Friday, July 16, 2004. The many cards, calls, visits and prayers by caring friends throughout the Pacific Northwest during the various medical challenges that characterized his final years enriched his life and were greatly appreciated by Bruce and his family. As a young man Bruce served his country as a Marine Aviator, flying 106 combat missions against the communist forces in Korea. In 1954, while still in the Marines, he and his wife Dorothy were married. After completing his active duty in the Marine Corps, he returned to Purdue University to resume his education. He received his B.S. in Aeronautical Engineering in 1956. He then moved to the Seattle area where he began a long career at Boeing. He and Dorothy moved into their present home in Bellevue in 1957. Bruce worked as a Boeing engineer for 38 years in various projects and research in dynamics and loads. In 1993 he was honored by selection as an Associate Technical Fellow of The Boeing Company. Bruce said he considered himself very fortunate to have achieved his two boyhood dreams of flying fighters from an aircraft carrier and becoming an aeronautical engineer. Bruce's favorite activities outside of flying and work were hunting and fishing, especially fly fishing; and camping with his family. He was an active member of the Washington Fly Fishing Club from 1956 until his death. Bruce is survived by Dorothy, his wife of 50 years; his son Rear Admiral Bruce W. Clingan of Bremerton; his daughter Carol L. Lemmon of Everett; and four grandchildren. A Memorial Service will be held at 3:00 p.m. Friday, July 23rd, at St. Andrew's Lutheran Church, 2650 148th Ave. S.E. in Bellevue, where Bruce and Dorothy have been members since 1980. Gifts to St. Andrew's Housing Group, or the Washington Fly Fishing Club Foundation, P.O. Box 639, Mercer Island are suggested in lieu of flowers.

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Published by The Seattle Times on Jul. 20, 2004.

Memories and Condolences
for Bruce Clingan

7 Entries

William Curtis

June 26, 2020

One Saturday afternoon when I was still in High school, we went to the QFC grocery store in Bellevue, WA. We were waiting for my mom when my dad got out of the station wagon and said he would be right back. He walked to the sidewalk in front of the wagon and started talking to a man who was standing next to a store front, probably waiting for his wife too. The two men obviously new each other well as they talked away the time with some enthusiasm. After a while, my dad came back and took his seat behind the wheel in the wagon while we continued to wait. Not recognizing the man, I was very curious who he was and what the devil they were talking about, so I asked my dad who the stranger was. My dad in typical cryptic father-speak said Oh, he was just a guy I used to know in the Marines. In fact, the man was Marine Major Bruce Clingan whom my dad had gone through Marine Corps OCS with at Paris Island, SC. I did not know it then but a couple years later I would attend the University of Washington with his son Bruce as NROTC Midshipmen. Bruce Jr., later Admiral Bruce W. Clingan, USN and I at the UW discovered we had remarkably similar interests that had been fostered by our Marine Corps Officer fathers. We both loved the outdoors, shooting, hunting, fishing, camping, etc. Later I found out we were both from Indiana which is why our fathers knew each other at OCS. Also, we both loved our fathers deeply. It took me several years to figure this little mystery of The Stranger out but it is one of my fondest memories of my dad and two other exceptionally fine men.

Meredith Rogers Sokoloski

August 18, 2004

I was saddened to hear about Bruce and have been thinking about him and his family a lot since his death. He and Dottie were such gracious hosts as I passed through on my way to Alaska in 1981. I was glad to get to know both of them and to meet his daughter Carol for lunch at the Space Needle! We were blessed with his visit to Minneapolis recently in May 2002 for the funeral of my father, Palmer Rogers, his cousin. I will remember him for his appreciation of the outdoors and his love of fly fishing.

Seth Palmer Rogers

August 5, 2004

Uncle Bruce was a model and an inspiration to me. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family at this time.

Dick Gates

July 22, 2004

I first worked with Bruce in 1960, soon after I joined the Boeing team. He was a great mentor and friend to me over the years, and always had time to share his engineering insight. He was a valuable asset to the Boeing Company and a great friend. I would like to express my condolances to his family.

Elliott Brogren

July 22, 2004

For all of us who worked with Bruce for those many years, he contributed so much, enriching our professional and personal lives beyond measure. He is remembered and sadly missed.

Elliott Brogren, Boeing 1960-1995

John White

July 22, 2004

As a fellow engineer at Boeing I remember Bruce as always friendly, soft spoken, and unassuming, but with an underlying tremendous energy and drive. He was always open and ready to help or answer questions. To his family, please accept my condolences.

Jamey Johnston

July 20, 2004

Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this time of mourning.

The Johnston Family

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