Harry Taylor Bridges

Harry Taylor Bridges, of Springfield, Virginia, passed away peacefully at his home on October 1, 2025, just two days shy of his 96th birthday. Harry led a life marked by a love for travel and hiking, rich friendships, and devoted service to his church and community.

Harry was born on October 3, 1929, in Norfolk, Virginia, to the late B. Hughes Bridges and Helen Taylor Bridges. Harry was predeceased by his brother, Bartow Hughes “Pat” Bridges, Jr. and his niece, Kaye Congleton.

Harry is survived by his nephews, Bartow “Bart” H. Bridges, III (Sharon) of Virginia Beach, VA, and Rev. Thomas “Tom” Clayton Bridges of Sebring, Florida. Harry is also survived by his sister-in-law, Betty Lu Scearce Bridges, of Raleigh, NC, and Betty’s children, Deb LeBlanc (Mark), Chuck Bennett (Jenny), and Carol Anderson (Robert). Numerous cherished extended family members and friends also survive him.

A proud graduate of Maury High School in Norfolk, Harry continued his education in liberal arts at Hampden-Sydney College before earning his Bachelor of Science in Foreign Service from Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service. He also pursued additional studies at the College of William and Mary, George Washington University, and the Catholic University, where he completed coursework in geography.

During his academic years, Harry distinguished himself through leadership and scholarship. He served as editor or associate editor for several school and fraternity publications, and served as President of Delta Phi Epsilon Foreign Service fraternity and Gamma Rho Sigma geographical research fraternity. He was active in the Sigma Chi social fraternity and the Sigma Upsilon honorary literary fraternity, and participated in track, cross-country, and the glee club.

Harry began his professional career with the Hampton Roads Maritime Association, where he represented the association before organizations including the North Atlantic Ports Authority and the U.S. House of Representatives Merchant Marine and Fisheries Committee. From 1952 to 1954, he proudly served in the U.S. Army Transportation Corps, stationed in Goose Bay, Labrador. After his military service, he worked as a life insurance salesman with the Mutual Benefit Life Insurance Company in Norfolk, and later joined IBM as an instructor and systems engineer. Harry retired from the Federal Highway Administration, where he served for almost 20 years as an Environmental Engineer and Geographer.

Beyond his professional life, Harry was deeply committed to civic, church, and community involvement. He served as president of the YMCA’s Men’s Club and in several other leadership positions across the YMCA. He was active in the church, serving as President of his Sunday School class at Freemason Street Baptist Church and as a Deacon at Providence Presbyterian Church, where he also volunteered for Meals on Wheels. Harry was also honored for serving over 20 years as an Election Officer for Fairfax County.

An avid outdoorsman, athlete, and conservationist, Harry was a Level walker for the C&O Canal Association and belonged to numerous environmental organizations, including the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club, Sierra Club, and the Northern Virginia Conservation Council. Harry’s home was decorated with many trophies for downhill skiing and the senior Olympics. Harry will be remembered as “hb hiker,” given his many treks in the Shenandoah, Inca Trail hike to Machu Picchu, Wainwright Coast to Coast hike in the UK, Nijmegen Four Day March in the Dutch countryside, and numerous 100-kilometer walks in the mid-Atlantic.

Harry’s love of travel took him to 99 countries across the globe, with highlights including hiking the Grand Canyon from rim to rim in one day, climbing Mt Kilimanjaro, and seeing the pyramids of Egypt at age 89. He was a loyal fan of the Washington Nationals, Washington Redskins (Commanders), and Georgetown Hoyas.

A special thank you to the staff at Garden Ridge Assisted Living at Greenspring, as well as the caregivers at Goodwin House Hospice and Carter’s Home Care.

A celebration of Harry’s life will be held at Providence Presbyterian Church, 9019 Little River Turnpike, Fairfax, VA, on Saturday, October 18, at 11 am, followed by a reception in the church fellowship hall. Burial at the Eastern Shore Chapel Cemetery in Virginia Beach, VA will be private.

Those who wish to make memorial gifts are asked to consider Harry’s favorite charities, including Mercy Corps, the Salvation Army, or a charity of your choice.