Obituary for R. Bruce Stevenson
R. Bruce Stevenson, a long time resident of Heald Road in Carlisle and beloved husband of Sonia for 63 years, died peacefully at home on January 20, 2023 at the age of 94.
He was born on September 13,1928 in Quincy, MA, son of the late James A. and Marjorie Stevenson.
Bruce graduated from Milton High School, Milton, MA, where he received the Hiram Tuell Citizenship
Award. During high school he played football, managed the basketball team, was the president of the glee
club and treasurer of the student council. He earned a BA and MA in physics from Williams College and
studied nuclear physics in a doctoral program at MIT.
He honorably served in the United States Army during the Korean War. As part of his service, he went to
Camp Mercury in Nevada to participate in early atomic bomb testing.
He worked at the Woods Hole Oceanic Institute, Pratt & Whitney, GCA, and Lincoln Lab before having a
long and distinguished career at the MITRE Corporation in Bedford. At MITRE his projects included
work on the AWACS and NORAD systems. His work required him to travel worldwide including many
trips to the Pentagon; Germany; and Point Barrow, Alaska. Bruce retired from MITRE in 1991.
Bruce met Sonia at Lincoln Lab; they were married at Christ Episocopal Church, Fitchburg, MA on
October 3, 1959. After several moves, they settled in Carlisle, building a house on Heald Road in 1966
where they raised four children.
Throughout their marriage, Bruce and Sonia enjoyed annual trips to London to visit family and to attend
the theater; relished many Wayfarer Walks throughout Europe; and participated in bowling leagues,
square dancing, and bridge competitions with friends. He spent many years doing genealogical research
on both his and Sonia’s families. He was an avid golfer and an enthusiastic Boston sports fan, especially
of football and hockey. He coached his sons in the Carlisle youth basketball and baseball programs and
loved watching his children and grandchildren participate in sports, dance and activities. His favorite
pastime was being with his family!
Bruce was a 50-year member and Past Master of the Corinthian Lodge in Concord. Also, he was a long
time parishioner of the Church of Good Shepherd, where he served on the vestry, sang in the choir and
held the position of treasurer for many years.
In addition to his wife Sonia, he is survived by his 4 children and their spouses: Elizabeth Gray and Chris
Flynn; Douglas and Mary Beth Stevenson; Anne and Don Naugler; Robert Stevenson and Jessica Griffin.
He is also survived by ten grandchildren: Jacqueline and Justin Gray; Catherine, Caroline, and Douglas Jr.
Stevenson; Gregory, Kurt, and Derrick Naugler; Emily and Lindsey Stevenson. He was predeceased by
his brothers Capt. James A. Stevenson II and David A. Stevenson.
Bruce was dearly loved and will be missed by everyone who knew him. Visiting hours will be at the
Acton Funeral Home from 5:00 to 7:00pm on Friday, February 3. A celebration of Bruce's Life will be at
the Church of the Good Shepherd in Acton at 10:00am on Saturday, February 4, followed by a reception
in the parish hall. A private burial will be held in the Green Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may
be made in his memory to the Church of Good Shepherd.
He was born on September 13,1928 in Quincy, MA, son of the late James A. and Marjorie Stevenson.
Bruce graduated from Milton High School, Milton, MA, where he received the Hiram Tuell Citizenship
Award. During high school he played football, managed the basketball team, was the president of the glee
club and treasurer of the student council. He earned a BA and MA in physics from Williams College and
studied nuclear physics in a doctoral program at MIT.
He honorably served in the United States Army during the Korean War. As part of his service, he went to
Camp Mercury in Nevada to participate in early atomic bomb testing.
He worked at the Woods Hole Oceanic Institute, Pratt & Whitney, GCA, and Lincoln Lab before having a
long and distinguished career at the MITRE Corporation in Bedford. At MITRE his projects included
work on the AWACS and NORAD systems. His work required him to travel worldwide including many
trips to the Pentagon; Germany; and Point Barrow, Alaska. Bruce retired from MITRE in 1991.
Bruce met Sonia at Lincoln Lab; they were married at Christ Episocopal Church, Fitchburg, MA on
October 3, 1959. After several moves, they settled in Carlisle, building a house on Heald Road in 1966
where they raised four children.
Throughout their marriage, Bruce and Sonia enjoyed annual trips to London to visit family and to attend
the theater; relished many Wayfarer Walks throughout Europe; and participated in bowling leagues,
square dancing, and bridge competitions with friends. He spent many years doing genealogical research
on both his and Sonia’s families. He was an avid golfer and an enthusiastic Boston sports fan, especially
of football and hockey. He coached his sons in the Carlisle youth basketball and baseball programs and
loved watching his children and grandchildren participate in sports, dance and activities. His favorite
pastime was being with his family!
Bruce was a 50-year member and Past Master of the Corinthian Lodge in Concord. Also, he was a long
time parishioner of the Church of Good Shepherd, where he served on the vestry, sang in the choir and
held the position of treasurer for many years.
In addition to his wife Sonia, he is survived by his 4 children and their spouses: Elizabeth Gray and Chris
Flynn; Douglas and Mary Beth Stevenson; Anne and Don Naugler; Robert Stevenson and Jessica Griffin.
He is also survived by ten grandchildren: Jacqueline and Justin Gray; Catherine, Caroline, and Douglas Jr.
Stevenson; Gregory, Kurt, and Derrick Naugler; Emily and Lindsey Stevenson. He was predeceased by
his brothers Capt. James A. Stevenson II and David A. Stevenson.
Bruce was dearly loved and will be missed by everyone who knew him. Visiting hours will be at the
Acton Funeral Home from 5:00 to 7:00pm on Friday, February 3. A celebration of Bruce's Life will be at
the Church of the Good Shepherd in Acton at 10:00am on Saturday, February 4, followed by a reception
in the parish hall. A private burial will be held in the Green Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may
be made in his memory to the Church of Good Shepherd.