Bruce B. Dunning

DUNNING BRUCE BAKER DUNNING, Captain US Navy (Ret.) On June 10, 2008 at Fair Oaks Hospital after a brief illness. He was 84. He was a resident of the Washington area, off and on since 1951, including the last 39 years in Fairfax County. His career was unique, long and varied, first as a Naval officer, then as a research sociologist and finally as an artist. Born in 1924 in Oak Park, Illinois to Vera Sale Dunning and Hugh Baker Dunning, both architects, he grew up in Chicago. He attended Beloit College before enlisting in the Navy, receiving his commission at the Midshipman School at Plattsburg, NY in 1944. En route to the Pacific theater as the war ended, he served in Japan immediately after the war. In 1947, he trained as part of Underwater Demolition Team Two - one of the early frogman training units. This began a life-long association with the Special Forces and UDT in particular.B He continued to attend UDT and SEAL team reunions into his 80s. He was one of the first Naval officers to complete Army jump school at Ft. Benning, GA. and proudly wore his parachute wings thereafter. He served in Korea and then as a line officer in the Atlantic fleet. He was posted to the Netherlands as Assistant Naval AttachC) before returning to shipboard duty on the USS Pocono (as Executive Officer) and the USS Casa Grande (as Commanding Officer). He served in Vietnam with the Advanced Research Projects Agency and during the final three years of his naval career served on the Joint Staff in the Special Operations Division of the Joints Chiefs of Staff. Dunning had completed his undergraduate degree during his posting at the US Naval War College. He returned to school after the Navy, receiving his MA in Sociology from George Washington University in 1971. He then embarked on his second career as a research sociologist working at the Bureau of Social Science Research, Inc. in Washington DC, focusing primarily on refugee issues, a keen interest developed during his service in Vietnam. He retired in 1982 to devote himself to his interest in the arts - writing, painting and leatherwork. He maintained an art studio in Washington DC at 52 O Street, NW until early in 2007 and was an active member of the local art community showing in several area venues, ranging from the early Washington ArtOmatic shows, to his last, at the Vienna Art Society just days before he died. He was predeceased by his wife of forty-four years, Gladys Carriere, in 1997. He is survived by his son, Gary and daughter-in-law, Anne, of New York, NY; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. He developed and maintained a wide and diverse network of friends and enjoyed spending time with people from all walks of life. He will be remembered for his ever-present pipe, his always-curious intellect, his passionate discussions about art and society, and his warm welcome to all. Interment will be at Arlington National Cemetery on August 21. In lieu of flowers, donations are requested to the charity of choice. Arrangements by EVERLY FUNERAL HOME - Fairfax, VA. www.everlyfuneralhomes.com Arrangements by EVERLY FUNERAL HOME - Fairfax, VA. www.everlyfuneralhomes.com