Let us all remember that the most notable thing, and what counts the most, is the dash between the dates of the beginning and end in one’s life. Preston certainly made his “dash” count!
Preston was born in Washington, DC on September 10, 1936, the only son of Virginia McLeod and Preston Bruce, Sr. He had a wonderful childhood and for many years was the only boy in an extended family of loving aunts and uncles. He attended elementary and junior high school in Washington, and in 1954 graduated from renowned Dunbar High School.
After graduation, he was approached by and would have signed to play baseball with the Washington Senators, as the first African American on their team. However, his father insisted that he finish his education first - - which he did – on pain of death. To quote Preston, Sr, as he talked to the Senators’ representatives “If you can take him with both arms and legs broken, you can have him. This boy is finishing school”.
Needless to say, Preston went on to attend Lyndon State College in Vermont. To this day, Preston credits his wonderful parents and his four undergraduate years at Lyndon, with forming the foundation for the rest of his life. Not only was “Tootie” impacted by Lyndon, his four years there impacted the school as well. In later years, he was invited to give the LSC Commencement address, was a charter member of the Athletic Hall of Fame, the first recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Award, and most recently served on the President’s Advisory Committee.
It was at Lyndon that Preston “Tootie” Bruce formed friendships that would last a lifetime. This group of friends, was known as “the Leaque of Nations”, consisted of Dominic “Dom” Mastrapasqua; Ralph Momaney; John “Jack” Gambeski; Raymond “Ray” Brooks; Richard “Dick” Jarvis; and Coach Rolland Lafayette. Dom was the only one that he was able to convince to leave New England and join him in Washington, DC. Preston says that these friendships have strengthened, supported and sustained him for 65 years. Until Dom’s death several years ago, he and Preston – the two LSC “city boys” – worked just a few doors down the hall from one another. In a recent LSC Alumnae article, Preston told current LSC students, “I urge each student who is part of the Lyndon community to look beyond the classes and books, teachers and tests, into the heart and soul of Lyndon, and find your own forever friends”.
In the late 1950’s, President Dwight D. Eisenhower recommended Preston as a pitcher to Branch Rickey, and he was signed right out of college to play professional baseball with the Pittsburgh Pirates. That contract represented the fulfillment of a life-long dream, however an automobile accident brought a quick and painful end to that dream. Preston then turned to the field of education and began a new career.
He accepted a teaching position in Readsboro, Vermont, where he met and lived with his second family, the Ecchers’. Ma and Pa Eccher opened their home and their hearts to Preston who quickly become their second son. Preston and his “little brother” Steven Eccher planned to write a book about their lifelong bond. At Readsboro’s school, Preston was elected principal becoming Vermont’s first black administrator during the Kennedy years, attracting national attention. He also helped the town to design and build a new million-dollar school, impacting students for years to come and leaving a lasting legacy. From Readsboro, Preston accepted a position as Dean of Boys at a private school in Darien, Connecticut.
Preston eventually worked his way back to Washington, DC, and on a blind date in 1963, met the love of his life, Kellene. He was forever grateful to his lifelong friend, Phil Walcoff, for arranging that blind date.
He joined the Federal Government as a charter member of the office of Economic Opportunity, working with Sargent Shriver during Lyndon Johnson’s “War on Poverty,” and working with its first Director, helped to create Head Start as a pilot program in the mid-1960’s. Preston initiated an internship program to encourage promising minority students from historically black colleges and universities to join the federal government.
As Director of the Day Care Division of the then Department of HEW (now DHHS), Preston served as the United States Delegate to the Organisation pour Economique et Culturale Development in Paris, France. He was part of an international group of experts examining the impact of child care availability on the workforce in developing nations.
Preston was awarded the coveted Horace Mann Fellowship to continue his education. He attended the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, earned a Doctorate degree and served as Executive Assistant on educational and political issues to the Chancellor of the University.
During his career in the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Preston served as Director of the Community Coordinated Child Care Program, the Day Care Services Division and the Runaway and Homeless Youth Program, among others. Most recently, Preston served as Executive Director of the United States Advisory Board on Child Abuse and Neglect, appointed by Former Secretary of HHS, Donna Shalala. Throughout his career, Preston was a dedicated professional, bringing a unique combination of vision, compassion and organization to every assignment over his forty years of government service.
Since his retirement, Preston and his wife, Kellene, have operated PKB and Associates, a consultant firm dedicated to working with organizations that provide early care and education services to children and families. In addition to their continued professional commitments, Preston and Kellene have had an active independent Amway business since 1980, and have formed many deep and lasting friendships. Preston has served as mentor, role model, father figure and friend to many young people and adults over his years as an Amway leader.
Preston is survived by his wife, the love of his life, Kellene; his loving and devoted children, Preston III, daughter Kellene Bruce Ecker (Amen Ecker); granddaughter, Skylar Alexis Bruce and step-grandson Spencer Ecker; sister Elaine Bruce Pryor (the Honorable William C. Pryor); nephews, William (Beth) and Stephen (Leslie) Pryor; and many additional friends and family members.
Family will receive friends and relatives at Christ Episcopal Church, 6800 Oakland Mills Rd., Columbia, MD 21045 on Wednesday, January 16th, from 10 to 11:30am, funeral services will begin at 11:30am. Interment to follow at Columbia Memorial Park.
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