Bruce David Herzig

Bruce David Herzig, 77, passed away with his wife, Elaine, by his side in the comfort of his home in Maryland on February 17, 2022, after a long battle with Parkinson's.
Bruce grew up in Brooklyn, New York. He first attended Lexington School for the Deaf before transferring to Fanwood - New York School for the Deaf in White Plains, NY, where he met his high school sweetheart, Elaine. After graduating from Fanwood in 1963, Bruce went to Gallaudet College. He completed his Bachelor's Degree in Mathematics in 1968. Elaine and Bruce got married that summer and enjoyed 53 years of marriage.
Bruce worked at several places before settling in Maryland. He worked at Universal Automatic Computer (UNIVAC) in Minnesota for two years, taught and coached basketball at Governor Baxter School for the Deaf in Maine for almost a year before getting a government job in Pennsylvania. Bruce transferred to the Pentagon in Washington, DC, where he worked as a computer specialist analyst in the Department of Defense for 31 years until he retired in 2002. After retiring, Bruce enjoyed his time between Maryland, Boynton Beach in Florida, and Fenwick Island in Delaware. He played golf, enjoyed poker games, traveled worldwide with his wife, and visited his children and grandchildren as often as possible.
Bruce enjoyed playing sports and was a leader. Bruce played football and basketball at Gallaudet College and was a team captain for basketball his senior year. He swam in the 200 meters Butterfly event in the 1965 World Games for the Deaf (currently known as Deaflympics). After graduating from Gallaudet, Bruce continued to play basketball for deaf clubs and the American Athletic Association of the Deaf. He enjoyed marathons, triathlons, cycling, and playing racquetball. For a few years, Bruce was the president of the National Racquetball Association of the Deaf (NRAD) and got a large grant to set up racquetball clinics throughout the United States. NRAD inducted Bruce into the Hall of Fame in 2010. At Fanwood's 200th Anniversary Celebration in 2017, the Fanwood Alumni Association Hall of Fame inducted Bruce for special recognition of his history of achievements and his contributions to the deaf community over many years. National Deaf Mixed Bowling Association inducted Bruce into the Hall of Fame in 2018.
Bruce also loved being a dad to his three daughters. When asked if he wanted one more child - a son, he always replied with this analogy from baseball: strike one, strike two, strike three, and I'm out. He was happy with having three girls and so proud of them. Bruce was active at Maryland School for the Deaf. He never missed the girls' games. He was the president of the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) for a few years and helped organize fundraising events. Everything he did in life was usually to support his family and create memories.
Bruce battled Parkinson's for as long as he could. Anyone who knows him knows he didn't take challenges lightly. Bruce took them on with a determined, optimistic attitude and sense of humor, just as he did with his other activities. His family knows he's up there playing golf and enjoying life again. We are full of gratitude to have him in our lives and for his support and love.
Bruce is survived by his wife, Elaine Herzig, three daughters, Sara Lee (David), Heather (Randal), Melissa (Kary), his older sister, Lorraine Wernow, and 11 grandchildren: Gareth, Sierra, Jude, Keanu, Tahoe, Ethan, Marcus, Stella, Cayden, Seraphina, and Sevanna. Bruce is preceded in death by his parents, Eleanor and Samuel Herzig.
There will be a celebration of life ceremony at a later date. The family suggests the Memorial contributions be made to either the Gallaudet University Class of 1968 Endowment Fund, Washington Society of Jewish Deaf, Florida Society of Jewish Deaf, or The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research.