Bruce Edward Petree

1927 - 2023

Petree

Bruce Edward Petree Barbara Joanne Belden Petree



Except for Bruce's stints in Korea, Vietnam and Saudi Arabia, Bruce and Barbara were together from March 5, 1953 until March 6, 2022 when Bruce died. Barbara died February 3, 2023 at Ashby Ponds Retirement Community in Ashburn, VA.



Bruce was born June 25, 1927 in Toledo, OH, the second son of Merle Wilson and Noel Harper Petree Sr. He was middle child between brothers Richard "Dick" Petree (predeceased) and Noel Harper Petree II. Barbara Joanne Belden was born New Year's Eve 1930 in Horton, KS, second of two daughters. Her sister, Mary Ellen Brown Belden predeceased her. They had four children: Cathleen Ellen Petree Holtmeier and Michael Bruce Petree predeceased them. They are survived by son, Mark, and his wife Janet Petree; grandson Sean Allen Petree and his wife Brittany Petree; granddaughter Rachel Faye Petree; son, Todd, and his wife Ann Petree; and their son-in-law Jeffrey Holtmeier.



Bruce and Barbara married in Wurzburg, Germany. For 69 years together they drove the length and width of North, Central, and South Americas; explored Europe, west Asia, Africa, and Australia; sailed around Cape Horn in 40' swells; visited Irish, English, and German kin; and served as diplomats during the riots and tanks of 1970s Greece and Cypress. They later lived in Cockeysville, MD; Vienna, VA; Melbourne, FL, and finally Ashburn, VA. Barbara hosted Eleanor Roosevelt; launched a ship; and was an excellent cook, textile artist, substitute teacher, storyteller, and a silky dancer. She dove into genealogy and authored a book of letters between Civil War Era ancestors. Bruce graduated West Point in 1950; served in Korea and Vietnam; was Military Attaché in Athens, Greece; and retired Colonel with honors. Bruce was a PhD in American Literature; engineer; professor; diplomat; boxing, handball, golf, and tennis athlete; empathetic; compassionate; loyal; and dedicated community volunteer. Both shared a love for animals, especially Basset Hounds.



Their temperaments different, yet synergistic, together they charmed and embraced us. They will be missed by all who met them. At 9 a.m. on August 15, 2023 we bid them farewell, and bury them appropriately together and with honors, at Arlington National Cemetery.