In Memory of Bruce Ta
[Bruce's Dorm Room][AHS Membership Growth][H. Bruce Ta Memorial RC Lab]
Obituary
H. Bruce Ta, of State College, passed away on August 7, 2005. Originally from Greensburg, he came to Penn State in 1990 on a full academic scholarship. He earned a B.S. degree in aerospace engineering while completing honors classes. Bruce has a love for airplanes and flying. He was an accomplished private pilot. He is survived by his two sons, Christopher, age 5, and Elliott, age 8 months, and his wife, Lisa.Memoriam by Prof. Ed Smith
Bruce came to our department in Fall 1993. We shared a love for helicopters, an exciting but smaller niche within the aerospace industry. He shared with me fond memories of playing in old Army helicopters back in his home country of Vietnam. That is indeed where his passion for helicopters was sparked.Bruce had become an avid radio controlled helicopter model builder and pilot. He had a large collection of models and shared them willingly with his fellow students and faculty. Often flying demonstrations and taking us to the airfield in Pleasant Gap to watch him and his friends fly. I have fond memories of those experiences.
Bruce volunteered to serve as president of our student chapter of the American Helicopter Society during 1993-94. His technical expertise, his contagious enthusiasm, and his outgoing personality quickly resulted in unprecedented growth in our chapter membership. Penn State became the largest chapter in the country soon after Bruce became our chapter president. We will always work to maintain that legacy in Bruce's honor.
Bruce's interest in aviation continued upon his graduation. He developed a career in the computer business, however, he earned his pilot's license and flew joyously with friends and family. He truly became an accomplished private pilot.
Bruce maintained his ties with Penn State during the past ten years. He helped us implement new courses using radio controlled helicopter models to teach engineering principles. We often saw Bruce at our American Helicopter Society events and heard from him on email. He is one of a select handfull of students who have left a lasting impact on our department.
We were very proud of him and wish him well on his next journey into the blue skies above. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends in this time of great loss.
Respectfully,
Professor Ed Smith
Advisor American Helicopter Society
Penn State Department of Aerospace Engineering