Bruce Murchland LaRue, 84, of Steubenville, Ohio, husband of Helen LaRue died Sunday, March 8, 2009 in Chicago, IL. He was born August 23, 1924 in Follansbee, WV a son of the late Frank and Lulu Murchland LaRue. Bruce graduated from Follansbee High School in 1942 and enlisted in the US Army during WW II and was deployed to Normandy. After returning home from his service with the Army he graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry. He married his wife of 58 years, Helen Katherine Johnson LaRue, on May 26, 1950. He began his employment with National Steel Corporation in 1948 as a special analyst at Weirton Steel Division. He became assistant spectographer in 1952, spectographer in 1953 and was named senior research chemist at the National Steel Research Center in 1962. Bruce assumed the position of supervisor in the Research and Development Department of National Steel Corporation in 1967, where he worked until retiring in 1986. Bruce’s professional affiliations included the American Society for Metals; American Society for Testing Materials; American Institute of Physics; Optical Society of America; America Institute for Chemists of which he was admitted as Fellow in 1968; Society for Applied Spectroscopy of which he served as National President in 1968; Spectroscopy Society of Pittsburgh (SSP) of which he was past chairman in 1963; American Chemical Society Pittsburgh Section (ACS) where he received the prestigious Pittsburgh Award in 1991 and served as past chairman in 1987; the Society for Analytical Chemistry of Pittsburgh (SACP) of which he was past president and The Pittsburgh Conference on Analytical Chemistry and Applied Spectroscopy (PITTCON) of which he served as Past President in 1965.Bruce was a lifelong member of First United Presbyterian Church/First Westminster Presbyterian Church in Steubenville where he served many positions including elder, clerk and deacon. He was active in YMCA; Y’s Men’s Club; Steubenville Masonic Lodge #45; Valley of Steubenville Scottish Rite; York Rite; Aladdin Shrine, Columbus, OH; Steubenville Shrine Club; a 60 year member of American Legion Post 45, Follansbee, WV and the Fort Steuben Area Council Boy Scouts of America where he was awarded the Silver Beaver in 1959 and the Silver Antelope in 1974 and was the former Fort Steuben Area Council President from 1969 - 1973. He was a life member of the National Eagle Scout Association (NESA). Preceding Bruce in death was his son-in-law George Barnes. Surviving are his wife Helen Johnson LaRue; two daughters Mary Barnes of Amsterdam, OH and Martha (Philip) Jordan of Lansdale, PA; son John LaRue of Columbia, MD; two granddaughters Katherine and Caroline Jordan of Lansdale, PA and brother Dale (Eleanor) LaRue of Steubenville, OH. Friends may call at Shorac Funeral Home (the former McClave Funeral Home), 611 North 4th Street, Steubenville Friday 1 - 4 & 6 - 8 p.m. and at First Westminster Church on Saturday from 10 a.m. until the time of service at 11 a.m. with Rev. Robert Shearer officiating. Burial at St. John Cemetery, Follansbee, WV.
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09/03/2024
Becky Strong
Dear Mrs. LaRue, John, Martha, and Mary, I was so sad to hear that Mr. LaRue had passed away. He was a great man and it is obvious from all of the groups that he belonged to that he was a civic leader and will be sadly missed by many. Although I have been away from Steubenville for many years, I have many fond memories of Mr. LaRue and the times spent at your house. You are all in my thoughts and prayers. May you find strength in your family and friends, and know that we are thinking of you at this sad time.
09/03/2024
Burke Sullivan,Jr.
Helen so sorry for your great loss you two were a great couple.Bruce was a great friend of our family and will be missed by all.May the Lord bless your family at this time Our Prayers and thoughts are with you.In Christ's Love Burke,Judy@Mildred Sullivan Family.
09/03/2024
Barbara (Bobbi) Maddux Wickersham
Helen, I remember you and Bruce from many years ago when I lived in Steubenville and attended the 1st UP. You both were so nice to my family Carl and Dorthy. I have fond memories. Sorry for your loss. He was such a nice man, nice family! Bobbi
09/03/2024
April Brothers Pannier
Mrs. LaRue, Mary Elizabeth, Martha and John, Wow! Mr. LaRue was one of a kind! So many childhood memories come to mind when I think of him and growing up at First Church. I always love to come home and visit to see all the familiar, friendly and caring faces, but now one will be missing! A couple of years ago, Mr. and Mrs. LaRue sent a Christmas picture out and I have kept that picture to remind me that there are good people leading good lives out there. Even in my old age, it's good to have a good role model! Things mattered to Mr. LaRue and he will be remembered for all those positive character traits he naturally displayed. My deepest sympathies to all of you during this time of loss. In Christ's love, April Brothers Pannier
09/03/2024
michelle (sullivan) brucker
John and Janet, So sorry to hear about your dad/uncle, it is hard to lose a parent but in time you will be able to remember the times you had together with smiles instead of sadness. i just wanted to let you know I was thinking about you and know how you feel. take care and my prayers to you and your families. Michelle
09/03/2024
Fritz Will
So sorry to hear about Bruce's passing I'm sure you miss him as I do Betty. You have my deepest sympathy. Regards, Fritz Will
09/03/2024
Jon LaRue
Helen et. al., Both Ann and I are so sorry to hear about Bruce and your ordeal in Chicago. Bruce certainly left his unique mark on the world, and the world is, and always will be, better for it. The LaRue family reunion will never be the same. Our prayers are with you. Jon
09/03/2024
09/03/2024
Pat Rebres & Mark Rebres
Helen, We have fond Scouting mrmories of Bruce. He and my dad John was such great friends. I remembered when he gave me my Eagle in the 70's. There will now be a big void in Scouting because of his loss. We will keep you in our prayers. Pat Rebres, Mark Rebres and Family
09/03/2024
Catherine LaRue Black
Our prayers are with you in this time of sorrow. Bruce was a wonderful man and will be missed by all whom he touched. He created many memories for me at the LaRue Farm, ones I will never forget. It is regretful that I am unable to attend his service. Love, Catherine
09/03/2024
Diane Starliper
LaRue Family, I am so sorry to hear of the passing of Bruce. He was a great man, and has left wonderful memories with all he has touched. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this very difficult time.
09/03/2024
Barry Thompson
Mrs. Larue, Mary Elizabeth, Martha and John, I was so sorry to hear about Mr. Larue. I have so many good memories of him and your family. My extended church family. I'm so sorry for your loss, your in my thoughts and prayers.
09/03/2024
Ralph Mantica
Helen, MAry and Martha: I was sorry to hear about Bruce, I have a lot of great memories about Bruce, playing in the lot next door. He keep me in line and I am very greatfull for that. It has been a lot of years but Bruce was is someone I will always remember. It was nice to let my kids play on the same swings as I did when we visted my parents. Again I am sorry for lose but I am sure the memories are strong.You will all be in my prayers. We where able to grow up in a great neighborhood and Bruce was a very large part of that.I have felt very blessed in for having such great neighbors. Ralph Mantica
09/03/2024
Thomas Ruppel
Dear Mrs. LaRue, I am very sorry to note the death of my good friend Bruce and I wish to let you know how sorry I am for you. He was a vital person and people knew who Bruce LaRue was. I knew Bruce as Chair of the Pittsburgh Section of the American Chemical Society in 1987. I served as Chair in 1988, so I was his Vice-Chair. I knew Bruce was active in other societies, but I never realized the degree to which he was involved in so many things. It is a shame that the full obituary could not have been placed in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette obituaries. I saw Bruce last at Herbert Retcofsky�s funeral more than a year ago. Herb was also a chemist. We had a nice talk. He told me of his early plans to attend graduate school, but decided it was definitely better if he pursued his life work as a chemist. I had the same experience. It is obvious that he (and you) had a very full life, but it is too soon to say goodby. Tom Ruppel Bethel Park, PA Chemist U.S. Department of Energy, Retired
09/03/2024
Bill Austin
Dear Family, Our sympathy to all. Bruce and I go way back to Quality Control and R&D.Helen and Bruce, Pat and I attended many dinners together.
09/03/2024
Shauna Brothers Kelly
Dear Mrs. LaRue, Martha, John and Mary Elizabeth, I was so sorry to hear about Mr. Larue. He is one of the people that I always think of when I remember growing up at First Church because he was always there leading or assisting or supporting whatever was going on. His dedication and devotion to God and to the work of his church made a lasting impression on me and many others as we grew up. He was such a good and dear man! As an adult I always knew that when I would return for a visit to First Church, Mr. Larue would be one of the first to come up to me to greet me and welcome me back. I will miss seeing him (and his dapper bowties!). May God's peace surround each of you during this difficult time. In Christ's love, Shauna Brothers Kelly
09/03/2024
Kyle Williams Herron
Dear LaRue Family: So sorry to hear about the passing of Mr. LaRue. He was such a kind man. I don't think George and I ever attended a Masonic function with my family when he personally did not seek us out to say "Hello" and catch up on our family. Our prayers are with your family during this difficult time.
09/03/2024
Linda Briggs
I was so very sorry to hear of Bruce's passing. He was a wonderful person whom I admired greatly. I worked with him on Pittsburgh Conference activities for 30 years. Linda Briggs
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