Bruce Lee Abernathy Gambrills, Maryland Obituary

Bruce Lee Abernathy

Bruce Lee Abernathy, 64, joined his parents and sister in heaven on November 11th, 2020. He was born October 1, 1956 in Indianapolis, IN to David and Eleanor Abernathy, and he grew up in the highest spot in town in Summittville, IN with his parents and younger sister, Lisa. After graduating from Madison Grant High School, he served in the United States Navy from 1975 to 1984 where he acquired skills in non-destructive metals testing and welding during a world tour, a passage through the Panama Canal, and a trip across the International Dateline. One of the highlights of his Naval career was earning his title of Shellback for crossing the equator. The skills he attained at sea were later put to use on land, as a Quality Assurance Manager for the Maryland State Highway Association where he helped ensure safe passage over the state’s bridges. It wasn’t unusual for Bruce to be found crawling inside of or hanging from a bridge at 2:00 in the morning after a late night accident, or for him to spend the day traveling from the Eastern Shore to the mountains of Western Maryland. After 33 years with the State Highway Association, he retired as the Assistant Division Chief of the Metals and Structural Materials Division. An avid skier, Bruce continually sought out new and exciting settings for his favorite activity. From the Adirondacks of New York, to the Northern Rocky Mountains of Canada, he shared his passion with his family and the friends he made along the way. Searching out the perfect slopes wasn’t his only reason for traveling. During his 64 years on earth, Bruce managed to visit all 50 states, where he went diving with manatees off the coast of Florida, hiked into the national wilderness of Idaho, and joined a group of friends for a motorcycle ride from Alaska to the Arctic circle. He even let his daughter Sarah talk him into chaperoning a school trip to Mexico to explore the ruins of the ancient Mayan civilization and explore the coral reefs off the coast of Cancun. Bruce will be incredibly missed by his loving wife, Marlys, his children, Sarah (Drew), Kathryn, and JD (Lauren), as well as his stepchildren Tad (Caitlyn) and Alaina (Logan). He will also be remembered by his grandchildren Anna, Emily, Aiden, and Caroline. Bruce was preceded in death by his father and mother, as well as his sister. Services will be held Saturday, November 14th, at Nichols-Bethel United Methodist Church, 1239 Murray Rd, Odenton, MD 21113 at 12:00pm and will be hosted by Hardesty Funeral Home - Gambrills, MD 851 Annapolis Rd Gambrills, MD 21054. A public viewing will be held from 10:00am-12:00pm on the same day. There will be a 50 person maximum in the sanctuary, due to the current COVID restrictions. Memorial Donations can be made in Bruce’s name to the National Pancreatic Cancer Foundation https://www.npcf.us/donate-volunteer/ways-to-donate/donate/
October 1, 1956 - November 11, 202010/01/195611/11/2020
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Obituary

Bruce Lee Abernathy, 64, joined his parents and sister in heaven on November 11th, 2020. He was born October 1, 1956 in Indianapolis, IN to David and Eleanor Abernathy, and he grew up in the highest spot in town in Summittville, IN with his parents and younger sister, Lisa. After graduating from Madison Grant High School, he served in the United States Navy from 1975 to 1984 where he acquired skills in non-destructive metals testing and welding during a world tour, a passage through the Panama Canal, and a trip across the International Dateline. One of the highlights of his Naval career was earning his title of Shellback for crossing the equator. The skills he attained at sea were later put to use on land, as a Quality Assurance Manager for the Maryland State Highway Association where he helped ensure safe passage over the state’s bridges. It wasn’t unusual for Bruce to be found crawling inside of or hanging from a bridge at 2:00 in the morning after a late night accident, or for him to spend the day traveling from the Eastern Shore to the mountains of Western Maryland. After 33 years with the State Highway Association, he retired as the Assistant Division Chief of the Metals and Structural Materials Division. An avid skier, Bruce continually sought out new and exciting settings for his favorite activity. From the Adirondacks of New York, to the Northern Rocky Mountains of Canada, he shared his passion with his family and the friends he made along the way. Searching out the perfect slopes wasn’t his only reason for traveling. During his 64 years on earth, Bruce managed to visit all 50 states, where he went diving with manatees off the coast of Florida, hiked into the national wilderness of Idaho, and joined a group of friends for a motorcycle ride from Alaska to the Arctic circle. He even let his daughter Sarah talk him into chaperoning a school trip to Mexico to explore the ruins of the ancient Mayan civilization and explore the coral reefs off the coast of Cancun. Bruce will be incredibly missed by his loving wife, Marlys, his children, Sarah (Drew), Kathryn, and JD (Lauren), as well as his stepchildren Tad (Caitlyn) and Alaina (Logan). He will also be remembered by his grandchildren Anna, Emily, Aiden, and Caroline. Bruce was preceded in death by his father and mother, as well as his sister. Services will be held Saturday, November 14th, at Nichols-Bethel United Methodist Church, 1239 Murray Rd, Odenton, MD 21113 at 12:00pm and will be hosted by Hardesty Funeral Home - Gambrills, MD 851 Annapolis Rd Gambrills, MD 21054. A public viewing will be held from 10:00am-12:00pm on the same day. There will be a 50 person maximum in the sanctuary, due to the current COVID restrictions. Memorial Donations can be made in Bruce’s name to the National Pancreatic Cancer Foundation https://www.npcf.us/donate-volunteer/ways-to-donate/donate/

Events

Nov
14
Visitation
Saturday, November 14 2020
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Nichols-Bethel United Methodist Church
1239 Murray Rd,
Odenton, MD 21113
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face mask and social distancing required
Nov
14
Service
Saturday, November 14 2020
12:00 PM
Nichols-Bethel United Methodist Church
1239 Murray Rd,
Odenton, MD 21113
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face mask and social distancing required
Final Resting Place
Nichols Bethel Church Cemetery

Odenton, MD 21113
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