Bruce Wayne Fall passed on to his eternal rest on February 28, 2017 at age 89. He was born to Mary and Lewis Fall on January 19, 1928. Bruce grew up and attended school in Grants Pass, Oregon. He was very proud his family were part of the early Oregon Trail pioneers. Bruce grew up helping his mother with chores on their small dairy. He was once told to paint the barn red before he went off to play with his friends. Later, his mother saw that he had indeed painted the barn, but it was not painted red all over she had asked. Instead it wore a big red happy face that remained for years to come. When Bruce received his first camera as a young boy, his photography career began. He loved airplanes and flying, soloing at the age of 16. Bruce joined the Air Force as a young man. While serving in Sacramento, he was asked to go out on a blind date with some friends. Reluctantly, he went, but he was rewarded when he saw what he described later as "the prettiest girl he had ever seen! That girl was Nyla Mae Neal, whom he married in 1950. They were married for 49 years! While in California, they were blessed with the arrival of their first child, Marianne. Bruce was actually assigned in Korea when she was born. Later, Bruce was stationed in Germany where their next daughter Diane was born. The family return to central California at Castle AFB where they were blessed with their son, Bruce. Their next station was what Bruce called a "vacation" in Puerto Rico. Then Bruce served at Vandenberg AFB where he retired after 21 years.
While at VAFB, he worked on the base by day and took wedding pictures and portraits on weekends and evenings. He continued with his love of flying, where he combined it with his skills as a talented photographer. His aerial photography was often found in artwork at the Lompoc Flower Festival. Bruce was the official photographer for 32 years and Grand Marshall of the parade in 2008. Bruce helped create and hosted the annual West Coast Cub Fly In at Lompoc airport. People flew from all over the country in their yellow Cubs. He restored airplanes and was a pilot for nearly 70 years! He also served as a sheriff reserve office helping in aerial search and rescue.
Bruce had the heart of an adventurer and traveled with family to Europe numerous times as well as enjoying Alaskan and Hawaiian cruises. Bruce after retirement with photography and he estimated he took pictures for over 1,000 weddings. Also, he took many senior and family portraits, along with sport team pictures. He also was the official photographer for VAFB commanders for 40 years. Bruce was also very proud of his years working for Martin Marietta in the rocket business.
After the death of first wife Nyla, his path crossed with Virginia Kolkow. He had dated her as a teenager and she had since become a widow. Happiness was found again when they married each other and had wonderful four years together.
Bruce is preceded in death by his mother and father, sister Marjorie, brother Lewis, wife Nyla, and his wife Virginia. He is survived by his brother Maurice; daughter Marianne and son-in-law Dr. Joseph Bassi and their daughters Stacy, Stephanie and Hope; Diane and son-in-law David Kisling; son Bruce and daughter-in-law Jenny Groseth Fall and their daughters Victoria and Alexandria; also seven step children with Virginia. A Celebration of Bruce's life will be held on Saturday, March 11th at 2:00 pm at Calvary Baptist Church, 3355 Constellation Rd, Lompoc, CA.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Air Force Aid at www.afas.org or Lompoc PPS Center at 1137 North H Street, Suite K, Lompoc, CA.