Roll Call Tribute

Bruce Wayne Don, Lt. Col. USAF (Ret) 

December 22, 1944 - September 21, 2026 

Bruce Wayne Don, 81, of Silver Spring, Maryland, died Monday, September 21, 2026 in his sleep at his home.

Bruce is survived by his wife Ofra, sister Diana, daughter Cristen, and sons Brent and Jared. He is also survived by his three cats.

Bruce attended college at Texas A&M University and graduated from the United States Air Force Academy in 1967 and proudly served in the U.S. Air Force and Air Force Reserve until 1995, including deployment during the Vietnam War as an F-4 Phantom Weapon Systems Officer, callsign "Sparky," retiring with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

Bruce earned his Ph.D in Analysis of Public Policy from the RAND School of Public Policy and worked for the RAND Corporation from 1979 until his retirement in 2009. His work included major contributions to Project AIR FORCE and leadership as Director of the RAND Science and Technology Policy Institute. He worked in Santa Monica, CA, Washington, DC and Arlington, VA and was an advisor to the Joint Chiefs of Staff at the Pentagon during several administrations.

Bruce was an avid skier, outdoorsman and reader. He was known for his keen intellect and quick wit by family and friends alike. He is loved and missed deeply.

His remains will be interred at the columbarium at the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado.