Bruce Griffing

Bruce Griffing of Livermore died July 22. He was 73.

Griffing was born in Billings, Montana, the eldest son of Richard Whitney Griffing and Mary Louise (Thorne) Griffing. As a young boy, he worked on their small family farm alongside his two brothers. It was a musical household and Griffing’s innate talents grew as he did. He began his college career after receiving a scholarship to MacPhail School of Music in Minneapolis, Minneasota. During that time, he supported himself as a professional piano player.

Always a pragmatist, Griffing sought steady employment and returned home to Montana to attend Montana State University. He received his electrical engineering degree, but maintained a lifelong passion for music, especially for playing jazz.

He married Betty Featherly in 1967 and together they left Montana for a new life in California. They eventually settled in Livermore, their hometown for 46 years, raising two children and creating a network of lifelong friends.

Griffing spent the majority of his career overseeing supercomputing operations at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory until his retirement in 2003. He often compared his career to a Disneyland “E-ticket ride;" the excitement and challenges he experienced were comparable only to the thrills of the best rides. After retirement, he and his wife enjoyed numerous cruises and lengthy, well-planned road trips, often in the company of dear friends. He cherished the additional time he had to spend with his children and grandchildren.

Griffing was an accomplished pianist, an avid reader, a private pilot, a garden railroader, an amateur historian, and most importantly, a devoted husband and father. In his retirement, he also enjoyed countless Sudoku and crossword puzzles, genealogy research and a good martini.

He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Betty; daughter, Nicole Van Zele and her husband Peter Van Zele; son Bradley Griffing and his wife Michelle Griffing; and his five grandchildren, Elise Van Zele, Eric Van Zele, Oliver Griffing, Henry Griffing and Lilah Griffing. He also is survived by his brothers, Wayne Griffing and Leroy Griffing; nieces and nephews; and his cousin, Peggy Jane Randle.

A celebration of life gathering will be held Aug. 6 at Martinelli Event Center, 3585 Greenville Road in Livermore, from 2-5 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to a charity of your choice.