Major Bruce G. Werner

Major Bruce G. Werner, 76, of Carlisle, passed away on January 21, 2022 surrounded by his loving family at UPMC Carlisle Hospital. Bruce was born on June 21, 1945 in Allentown, Pennsylvania to the late Gerald and Ruby (Hermany) Werner.
Bruce was a 1963 graduate of ELCO (Eastern Lebanon County High School) in Myerstown, Pennsylvania and he received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Nebraska Omaha. He enlisted in the United States Army in September of 1964 and retired at the rank of Major in November of 1984. He served as a Green Beret and was jump certified, qualified as a rotary and fixed wing aircraft pilot. The military service awards he received included; a Bronze Star, Parachute Badge, Good Conduct Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry, National Defense Service Medal, Achievement Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Army Overseas Service Ribbon, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal Ribbon, Army Aviator Badge and Master Aviator Badge. Bruce served in the Vietnam War from 1965 to 1971 with the 221st Reconnaissance Aviation Company as a pilot of an L-19D/O Bird Dog aircraft and UH-1 Huey helicopter. During his career in the Army, he was stationed at Fort Bliss, in El Paso Texas; Fort Davidson Army Airfield / Fort Belvoir in Virginia; and Fort Letterkenny in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania. He was later employed by Petroleum Helicopters International in Lafayette, Louisiana, as a corporate helicopter pilot, transporting employees to oil rigs in the Gulf of Mexico. After that he was a corporate pilot for Graham Engineering of New Cumberland, Pennsylvania and Derry Air in Harrisburg Pennsylvania. Bruce was also employed at the Carlisle Barracks Golf Course overseeing the irrigation systems. He finally realized his lifelong dream of owning a farm, by buying Creekview Farm outside of Carlisle in 1992. He became a self-employed farmer until his passing.
He was an avid scuba diver and collected many shells off the island of O’ahu while stationed in Hawaii, at a time when it was still legal to do that. He loved animals and especially horses. He and his wife supported his daughter in her Pony Club endeavors. Bruce was active with the United States Pony Club by serving as both a District Commissioner and as a Vice Regional Supervisor for the Maryland Region. He organized the 2000 Pony Club National Convention in Baltimore, Maryland. He had an affinity for classic American muscle cars and enjoyed the people and culture that surrounded it in his Pontiac GTO. Bruce touched many lives acting as a role model and teacher by sharing his vast knowledge on a variety of subjects. He spent his childhood on his maternal grandparents’ farm, which motivated his dream of one day having a farm of his own. He was blessed to have close friends and neighbors who would help each other with many tasks on the farm. Bruce was a huge influence and mentor to his son- in- law, Pete, who he treated like his own son. Pete intends to continue actively operating the farm as he also had the same desire as Bruce when he was a child.

Bruce is survived by his loving wife of 53 years, Nancy E. (Wise) Werner, one daughter Heather (Werner) Castle and husband, Peter, of Carlisle, sister Cindy Werner of Lebanon, and one grandson Cole Castle of Carlisle. Bruce was preceded in death by his son Benjamin Werner, daughter Lori Werner, and sisters Bonnie Steely and Sylvia Tobias.
Memorial service will be held on January 30, 2022 at Hoffman Funeral Home 2020 W. Trindle Road, Carlisle, Pennsylvania. Services will be officiated by Chaplain Colonel Rodney K. Miller. The viewing will be at 3:00 PM with a memorial service to follow after the viewing. Please dress casually if you want to. Jeans are fine, Bruce’s attire will be jeans and a shirt A private burial will be at Fort Indiantown Gap National Cemetery to be done at a later date. In lieu of flowers, if you would like to make a donation in Bruce’s name please consider contributing to Towers to Tunnels at www.T2T.org., which benefits military and first responders families.
We will be Zooming the ceremony for those that are not able to attend. Please email phccastle@embarqmail.com for more information.