Bruce William Rossing

Bruce William Rossing passed away on Saturday, January 23, 2021, in Palatine, IL. He was born on February 23, 1944, in Greenfield, MA, to William and Mary Ellen Rossing (nee Dwyer). Bruce was born while his father, a career Army officer, was engaged in the Pacific campaign of World War II.

Bruce graduated from Pallotti High School, in Laurel, MD, in 1962. Bruce received a BS in Naval Science from the United States Naval Academy and was commissioned as an Ensign in June 1967. He subsequently served at-sea in several destroyer squadrons, home-ported in the U.S and overseas. Ashore, due to his naval warfare expertise he was chosen to be a Course Coordinator at the Fleet Combat Systems Training Center, Dam Neck, VA. At-sea he had very successful tours of duty as the Operations Officer on the USS Sampson (DDG-10) and the Executive Officer of the USS Vogelgesang (DD 862). Because of his early career experience in the Naval Advisory Group in Vietnam, and a DIA tour in the China Branch, Bruce had a commitment and expertise in supporting both conventional and Special Operations warfare in the Asian Theater. As a Commander as well as a civilian, he had significant and successful tours of duty at the Defense Intelligence agency in Washington, DC. He became the Chief of the Crisis/Operational Support Branch. He developed exceptionally close rapport with the on-scene Operational Commanders in many high-level crises, and personally ensured that they got the critical intelligence they needed. In 2013, Bruce was awarded the Torch Bearers Award from DIA, the highest honor the agency can bestow on a former employee. His award stated: “Honored for his teamwork, Bruce Rossing’s leadership was the driving force behind much of DIA’s support to military forces deployed worldwide during his career with the agency. Having served at DIA both as an active-duty Navy commander, and a civilian, Rossing increased the agency’s ability to directly support combat operations and laid the groundwork for the agency’s current role as a combat support agency. Through Rossing’s strong advocacy for operational forces in the mid-1980s, operational commanders came to rely on DIA’s expertise.”

Bruce was known to friends, family and colleagues as a person of wit, adventure, and responsibility. Throughout his years, Bruce especially loved telling stories, reading, travel, clocks, dogs, scuba diving, sports cars, swimming, soccer, North Carolina beaches, Boston Red Sox and Duke basketball.

He is survived by his wife, Anita (nee Henson), of Waynesboro, VA, who now resides outside Chicago, IL: his daughter, Robin (Phillip) Bellagamba; grandchildren, Prudence, Mandolin and Martin Bellagamba; his brother, Boyd (Katharine) Rossing; his nephew, David (Mui) and his grandnephew, Serres. Among his especially devoted relatives and friends are his cousin, Cathy Card, and his best friend and Naval Academy roommate, John Bates. Demere, John’s wife, introduced Bruce and Anita. They would have celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in June of 2021.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Bruce’s ashes will be spread on the ocean where he served his country in his Navy career.

In lieu of flowers, you may make a lasting tribute honoring the life of Bruce: The family asks that contributions be made to help those in need receive the same compassionate care JourneyCare provided for our family. Contributions can be sent to JourneyCare Foundation, 2050 Claire Court, Glenview, IL 60025. Memorials and donations may also be sent to The American Cancer Society, or SALUTE, INC, www.saluteinc.org , which is dedicated to meeting the financial, physical and emotional needs of injured military service members, veterans and their families.