JUSTICE, Bruce Morgan, departed this life on All Saints Day, November 1, 2018. He was predeceased by his wife of 39 years, Linda Hayes Justice; and is survived by his wife of the last eight years, Sandra McGehee Justice; his sons, Brian C. Justice (Michaelle), Todd M. Justice (Emily); grandchildren, Meagan, Evan and Jeb; sisters, Irene Myers and Bird Shelton; several nephews and nieces, as well as many friends and loved ones. He graduated from Douglas Freeman High School in 1958 and remained involved in the social activities of that class throughout his adulthood. He graduated in June 1967, from the Architecture School of UVA and was licensed in the state of Virginia in June 1969. In 1984, the President of the AIA National invited him to serve as a Trustee and later, as an officer of the AIA Trust. In 2007, he was elected President of AIA Richmond and elevated to Fellow in 2009, completing a three-year term as the Regional Representative for Virginia and West Virginia in the College of Fellows AIA.
Bruce’s bio submitted for his fellows profile:
In 1958, I graduated from Douglas Freeman High School in Richmond, Virginia. Fortunately, I am still involved in the social activities of that class.
That fall, I enrolled at the University of Virginia in the College of Arts and Sciences. I really did not know what I wanted to do beyond racing cars professionally. So, in 1962, I completed the Sports Car of America’s Driver’s School, earning both an SCCA National Competition License and an FIA International Competition License. I raced sports cars through 1971 until I had to choose between racing and a new pursuit, architecture. As much as I loved racing, it did not pay well!
I had returned to UVA in 1963 to obtain a degree in architecture. I graduated in June 1967 and was licensed in the state of Virginia by June 1969. I participated in my first AIA function in 1964, representing the UVA School of Architecture at the Student Forum held at the Octagon in Washington, D.C.
When I entered the profession in my father’s office in 1967, I was not satisfied just to work on the boards, and so I became involved in local civic and AIA activity almost immediately. By 1974, I was President of the City of Richmond downtown Civitan Club, serving in that role 1974-1975. Then, I served on the “Mayor’s Committee for the Handicapped,” helping to develop in Virginia’s building codes new design standards to accommodate the disabled. I developed a life and medical insurance plan for small architectural firms and administered this for ten years. As it became the largest plan of its type in the Southeast, I eventually turned it over to the Trust for administration. In 1984, the President of the AIA National invited me to serve as a Trustee and, later, as an officer of the AIA Trust. For this work I received a Presidential Citation in 1989; I am the only Virginian to receive this honor.
After many years of involvement in the Tuckahoe Little League of Richmond, VA, I was elected President in 1992 and 1993. In that position, I worked with a group of interested parents to develop a program of rules that would allow children with disabilities to participate; this has grown into the “Challenger Program” at TLL today, which fully accommodates male and female disabled baseball/softball players.
In 1998, I was appointed to the Governor’s Art and Architecture Review Board by Gov. Jim Gilmore. I served 4 ½ years in that role.
In 2007, I was elected President of AIA Richmond and elevated to Fellow in 2009. I have since completed a three year term as the Regional Representative for Virginia and West Virginia in the College of Fellows AIA. Along the way, I have served on numerous AIA committees. This is work and service of which I am particularly proud.
From the Society, my father and I received Society Distinguished Achievement Awards in 1980 and 2000. We are the only father and son pair to received such a commendation.
Where did you go to college?
I graduated from Douglas Freeman High School in Richmond in 1958. I’m still active in the social activities of that class today.
I then entered the University of Virginia to take classes in the College. I really didn’t know what I wanted to do except race sports cars professionally. In 1962 I completed the Sports Car of America’s driver’s school earning an SCCA National competition license and an FIA International license that year. I raced sports cars through 1971 until I had to choose between architecture and racing. Much as I loved racing it didn’t pay much!
I had returned to UVa to obtain a degree in architecture in 1963. I had my first AIA experience in 1964 representing the UVa School of Architecture at the Octagon in Washington DC in the Student Forum held there. I graduated from UVa in June 1967. I was licensed in Virginia in June 1969.
I was not just satisfied to work on the boards. I got into local civic and AIA activity almost immediately upon entering the profession by working in my father’s office with for him from 1967.
I was President of the City of Richmond downtown Civitan Club in 1974 and 1975. I served on the “Mayor’s Committee for the Handicapped” about that time helping to develop handicapped design standards for Virginia building codes.
Also, for the AIA I started a medical and life insurance plan for small offices in Virginia in the seventies which I administered and ran for ten 10 years. It became the largest plan on the southeast coast. I turned that block of business over to the Trust. In 1984 I was asked by the President of AIA national to serve as a Trustee and later officer of the AIA Trust for which I received a Presidential Citation in 1989. I am the only Virginian to have this honor
I was President of Tuckahoe Little League in 1992 and 1993. During this time, working with a group of parents in the league, we set up a special set of rules so a handicapped child could play “baseball.”
I was appointed by the Governor of Virginia in 1998 to the “Governor’s Art and Architecture Board” on which I served 4 years. I was President of AIA Richmond in 2007 and elevated to “Fellow” in 2009.
My father and I are the only father and son pair to received “Society Distinguished awards,” 1980 and 2000.
I have served on many AIA Committees.
I am proud to have served for some many years as a member of our AIA.
Would you recommend studying architecture to a young person?
There easier ways to make a living, but maybe not as much fun. I would recommend architecture to young people.|
What does it take to be an architect?
A rich spouse? Hard work and lots of study.
Was there an architect that particularly inspired you?
My father, Charles C. Justice, AIA; Louis W. Ballou, FAIA; others
What’s the best meal you’ve ever had?
McDonalds “Big Mac!!” just kidding!!
Why do you volunteer with the AIA?
Working together as a group. we get things done You won’t get it done by yourself.