Bernard Bruce McLean

He was born on June 30, 1932, in Teaneck, New Jersey to Basil Anthony McLean and Alice Mary (Kopp) Mclean and joined a sister Patricia (born 1927.) When Bruce was seven years old, the family moved back to his parent’s native state of California, first living in the bay area then moving to his mother’s hometown of Sacramento. He graduated from Sacramento High School in 1950 and attended Sacramento Junior College and then Sacramento State College. While a college student, Bruce began his military career in the Navy Reserve as a seaman, but he was intrigued with the idea of flying and joined the Air Force Aviation Cadet Program in 1954 to become a pilot.

Bruce went to Bartow Air Force Base, Florida for primary flying school in the PA18 Super Cub. He received his pilot wings and commission in 1955 at Vance, AFB, OK. He flew in many different multi-engine aircraft beginning with the C-123 Provider at Ardmore AFB, OK and in 1956 at Dreux AFB, France; then in 1958 with the C-97 Stratoliner at Travis AFB, CA. In 1961 he attended Communications Officer School at Keesler AFB, MS and was a Communications Officer at Wheelus AFB, Tripoli, Lybia, North Africa. In 1962, Bruce began flying the HC-54 Skymaster, also at Wheelus AFB. Upon returning to the USA in 1962 he flew the HC-54 at Eglin AFB, FL with the Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron. In 1966 Bruce served in Southeast Asia and flew 210 combat hours before returning to Eglin AFB where he transitioned to the C-130H Hercules.

In 1968, after 14 years of active duty he transferred to the Air Reserve Technician (ART) program at Ellington AFB, TX as the head of the C-130A training branch. In 1972 Bruce assumed command of the C-130A Tactical Airlift Squadron at Richards-Gebaur AFB, near Grandview, MO. He had authorization of 32-mission ready aircrews, the most of any AFRES C-130 squadron. During his military career he attained the rank of Colonel and accumulated more than 8,000 total flying hours with 4,200 of those in the C-130. Bruce retired from the ART Program in 1984 but continued to work with the Air Force Reserve in a Civil Service capacity until 1994.

In 1956 while stationed at Dreux Air Force Base, France he met and married Joan Blalock of Ocala, Florida, an elementary school teacher at the base school for dependent children. The couple had three children: Constance (Connie,) born at Dreux AFB, France, Kathleen (Kathy,) born at Travis AFB, California and Russell (Russ,) born at Wheelus AFB, Tripoli, Libya.

The couple then spent many years raising children and doing their share of moving around the globe. Daughter Connie graduated from CMSU and Univ. of Miss. and married Michael Caldwell of Waynesville, MO. Connie and Mike live in Collierville, TN and have an adult son Brett who also lives in Collierville with his wife Amber and son Ryan and Eli, Adam and Matthew Hendon. Daughter Kathy, graduated from CMSU and Rockhurst Univ. and married Kevin Eisenbeis of Kansas City, MO. They live in Kansas City and have two adult children, Brian (of Seattle) engaged to Emma Joyner and Laura, married to Andrew McArthur (of Seattle). Russell was a graduate of the University of Missouri and Avila Univ. and lives in Olathe, KS.

Bruce has been a member of Coronation of our Lady Catholic Church in Grandview since 1972. As a loving father and grandfather, Bruce was very proud of his family and felt blessed to have them. Bruce and Joan lived in Grandview, MO for 33 years before moving to Kansas City, MO in 2005. The children attended school in the Hickman Mills School District.

Anyone who knew Bruce, knew of his love of trains. Beginning in his teens, he read books and magazines about railroads. He continued this interest throughout his adult life. He often patiently waited for a train to come by so he could photograph it and family vacations often included driving out of the way to find an obscure engine. He collected railroad memorabilia and enjoyed the camaraderie of attending rail enthusiast meetings.

Bruce was an avid gardener and always maintained a meticulous lawn. Woodworking and carpentry were also hobbies of his, and he created many practical and decorative pieces through the years.

Bruce’s world travels inspired a love of adventure and travel in his children and grandchildren. Bruce visited these 41 countries in his lifetime: Aden, Azores (Portugal,) Bahama islands, Belgium, Bermuda(England,) Brazil, Canada, Congo, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Easter Island (Chili,) England, Ecuador, France, Germany, Grand Turk (Br,) Greece, Guiana, Hong Kong, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Lebanon, Libya, Mexico, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Panama, Peru, Philippines, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, South Vietnam, Spain, Switzerland, Thailand, Taiwan, Trinidad.

According to Bruce’s wishes his body will be cremated and his ashes interred with full military honors at Leavenworth National Cemetery.

A Visitation for Bruce will be held Monday, May 16, 2022 from 10:00am to 11:00am at Coronation of Our Lady Catholic Church, 13000 Bennington Avenue, Grandview, MO 64030. This will be followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00am. A luncheon reception will follow the Mass at the church. A final Committal with Full Military Honors will occur Monday, May 16, 2022 at 2:30pm at Leavenworth National Cemetery, 150 Muncie Road, Leavenworth, KS 66048.

In lieu of flowers please send donations to Angel Flight Central, Coronation of Our Lady Catholic Church or the Kansas City American Heart Association.