Memorial Tributes Volume 18 (2014) / Chapter Skim
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Pages 186-197
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From page 187... ...
Throughout the 1960s he spearheaded the center's development work, which included launch vehicles such as Centaur and Agena. After a brief transfer to NASA headquarters, he was named director of the NASA Lewis Research Center in 1969 (it later became the NASA Glenn Research Center)
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From page 188... ...
By the time the AERL restructured itself in October 1945 to concentrate on the turbojet and supersonic flight, 24-year-old Bruce had accumulated enough experience to be named head of the Engine Research Division's new Jet Propulsion Research Section. Bruce and his roughly 15 research engineers tested a series of full-scale turbojet and ramjet engines.
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From page 189... ...
He advocated the expansion of the AERL's research to spacecraft propulsion, seeing it as an extension of the NACA's aeronautical propulsion efforts. The Cleveland lab had done small-scale fuels studies for rocket engines since 1945, flighttested ramjets for missile applications in the late 1940s and 1950s, and added a test stand for firing large rocket engines in 1955.
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From page 190... ...
Updated by Associate Director Abe Silverstein and renamed "Lewis Laboratory Opinion of a Future Policy and Course of Action for the NACA," the report was presented to headquarters and served as the basic template for NASA. With the establishment of NASA and the transfer of Abe Silverstein to headquarters in 1958, Bruce was named associate director, responsible for directing and planning research for the entire lab, which had been renamed the NASA Lewis Research Center.
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From page 191... ...
A later, more detailed study supported the Lundin Committee findings, but the direct ascent method was eventually selected because it was deemed less complicated. During this period Bruce was also asked to lead a group to investigate sites for the Manned Space Flight Center.
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From page 192... ...
The development group's work expanded with the addition of the Centaur program in 1962, the Agena rocket program in 1963, and the 260-inch-diameter solid rocket and supersonic transport programs in 1964. The uniquely designed Centaur second-stage rocket, the first spacecraft to run on liquid hydrogen, was Lewis's most important contribution to the national space program.
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From page 193... ...
This led to increased internal tensions and shattered Lewis's cohesiveness at a time of already low spirits. In an effort to boost morale and generate staff support for Lewis's goals, Bruce instituted the Lewis Awareness Program in 1974, featuring talks by him, ceremonies, film specials, and newspaper articles to recognize Lewis's accomplishments, programs, and staff.
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From page 194... ...
Overall, however, the Lewis Center continued to struggle under a somewhat strained relationship with NASA headquarters, difficulty convincing the energy industry to use renewable resources, and requirements to continually reduce its workforce and operating budget. There were even rumors that Lewis would be transferred from NASA to the Department of Energy.
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From page 195... ...
In addition to this service, Bruce was a frequent spokesman for NASA in the community and was also active in various civic, religious, and educational organizations, such as the Federal Executive Board, the Combined Federal Campaign, the Southwest Community Hospital of Berea, Ohio, and the Boy Scouts of America, from which he received the Order of Merit. He sponsored Explorer Scout Posts in electronics and aerospace for top science students and opened the NASA Explorer Posts to a wider community.
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From page 196... ...
196 MEMORIAL TRIBUTES Bruce is survived by his widow Jean, daughters Dianne and Nancy, son Robert, three grandchildren, and two greatgrandchildren.
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