- Date Of Birth: December 7, 1945
- Date Of Death: September 19, 2021
- State: Florida
On Sunday, September 19, 2021, Bruce Raymond Hampton, loving husband and father, passed away at the age of 75.
Bruce was born in Columbus, OH, on December 7, 1945, to Bill and Virginia Hampton. He grew up in a happy home in Delaware, OH, the oldest of six children. After graduating from Rutherford B. Hayes High School, he continued his education and obtained a B. S. in Mathematics from Muskingum College in New Concord, OH. Later in life, he continued expanding his education and earned a M.S. in Nuclear Engineering from The Ohio State University.
In 1968, Bruce received his draft notice shortly after he had started working for Ohio Bell Telephone Co. He decided to join the U.S. Air Force. Bruce became an officer and quickly began pilot training. While in the Air Force he flew KC-135 air refueling tankers and then was trained to fly HH-53 helicopters to rescue downed pilots in Vietnam. This earned him dual certification as a pilot for fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft. His seven years in the military took him all over the world and brought him many experiences. Bruce was incredibly proud to serve his country and loved to share stories about his time in the Air Force.
Bruce continued his career adventures in 1975 at United McGill Corp in Columbus, OH. During his tenure with United McGill he transferred to Greenville, SC, where he took on the role of Southeast Regional Manager for five years. He then spent three years in Decatur, IL, as the President of Superior Welding Co. But, Bruce was a true patriot and believed in the American dream of owning your own company. In 1991, his dream called him to Jacksonville, FL, where he started Impulse Air, Inc, a company that manufactured spiral and oval ductwork for companies across the southeast. After 25 years as the co-owner and President, he retired in 2016.
On July 8, 1972, Bruce started the most important chapter of his life when he married his best friend and love of his life, Susan Schumacher Hampton. They met a few years earlier in Stowe, VT, and quickly fell in love. They married in Ho-ho-kus, NJ, then immediately moved to Merced, CA, where Bruce was newly stationed. They also spent some time in Plattsburg, NY, before landing a permanent residence in Columbus, OH. Shortly after moving to Ohio, they welcomed the arrival of their first daughter, Sarah. Later down the road, they were blessed with two more daughters, Stephanie and Amanda.
Bruce loved to snow ski, watch Ohio State football and old western movies, was an avid reader, and could solve any sudoku puzzle.
Bruce was predeceased by his parents. He leaves behind his wife, Susan; three daughters, Sarah Turrentine (Kyle), Stephanie Hampton (Brian) and Amanda Hampton (Cody); three grandchildren, Andrew Turrentine, Will Turrentine, and Emily Clark. He also leaves behind his siblings, Sharon Thompson, Stephen Hampton, Kathleen Coy, Rebecca Henson and Jon Hampton and several nieces and nephews.
