Bruce L. Nale

Bruce Leonard Nale, 85, passed away peacefully on May 9, 2026 in the presence of his loving wife at the Harmony at Enterprise Assisted Living Facility in Prince George’s County, Maryland.

Bruce was born on May 7, 1941, in Washington, DC, to Floyd Leonard Nale and Mildred Ruth (Himes) Nale. He grew up alongside his brother, Roger Alan Nale. He graduated from High Point High School in 1959 and then went on to pursue higher education at the University of Maryland, College Park earning Bachelor and Master’s degrees in Music Education. During his collegiate years, he became a member of the Kappa Kappa Psi and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternities. Bruce played the trumpet and was very active in the University of Maryland Marching Band. He also participated in the University of Maryland, College Park ROTC.

Bruce dedicated 35 years to music education within the Prince George’s County Public School System. He began his career in 1963 as the Band Director for Beltsville Junior High School. Shortly thereafter, he transferred to Parkdale High School as the Director of Bands. In 1970, Bruce served as the Choir Director for both Beltsville Baptist and Granite Baptist Churches. In 1974, he joined Potomac High School as the Director of Instrumental Music and then went on to High Point High School as the Director of Bands. From 1977 until retirement in 1998, Bruce taught hundreds of students instrumental music at Indian Queen, Fort Foote, Harmony Hall, Pointer Ridge, Patuxent, Baden, Brandywine, Mattaponi and Marlton Elementary Schools.

Bruce distinguished himself as a deeply committed and compassionate music director earning superior ratings at many County, State, and International Band Festivals. Bruce had the honor of taking the Parkdale Senior High School Band to the 1972 International Band Festival held in Vienna, Austria in July 1972. Under Bruce’s direction, the Parkdale Senior High School Band received superior ratings and recognition for playing the most difficult music at the International Band Festival. Bruce was very proud of this achievement. In 1978, he coordinated the Music Festival for Prince George’s County including the Elementary Solo and Ensemble Festival, Secondary Solo and Ensemble Festival, Senior High Band and Orchestra Festival, Northern Area Junior High Band and Orchestra Festival and the Southern Area Junior High Band and Orchestra Festival.

Bruce was an inspiration to many students and adults throughout his music career and was specially acknowledged for inspiring and teaching the beauty of music to students with disabilities.

Bruce was a loving, caring, and devoted husband, father and grandfather. Bruce married the love of his life and high-school sweetheart, Jacqueline Harris Hodges on June 23,1962 at the University of Maryland Chapel. Together they raised three daughters – Christina, Pamela and Jennifer – and built a home filled with love and compassion and raised their daughters to love and walk with Jesus, teaching them godly values. He was also a doting, kind and fun grandfather (Babaw) to Matthew, Jacob and Alice. He adored and was exceedingly proud of his family.

In addition to his passion for music and teaching, Bruce also loved dogs and became a professional dog handler who trained, groomed, and showed dogs for breeders and dog owners, winning several awards at various dog shows. Together, Bruce and Jacqueline opened the Interlude Kennel for boarding and grooming, which they owned and operated until retirement. Bruce’s hobbies included bowling, gardening, playing cards, playing video games, collecting coins, and watching sports. He especially loved to watch the Commanders, Orioles, and Maryland football and basketball games. He enjoyed talking with folks about his favorite sports teams and exuberantly singing the fight songs every game. He also looked forward to watching the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness and the Belmont Stakes every year. Bruce enjoyed travelling and went on many cruises, to Disney World and other fun places with his wife Jacqueline and family. His favorite times were spent with family and friends and loved to make others laugh. He was an excellent leader and role model for his family and provided guidance, strength, patience and kindness along with the right amount of silliness.

Bruce is survived by his beloved wife of 64 years, Jacqueline; his three daughters and sons-in-law Christina (Michael), Pamela (Allen) and Jennifer (Malcolm); his three grandchildren Matthew, Jacob and Alice; his sister-in-law Karen; his brother-in-law William; and a host of nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews and cousins. Bruce was preceded in death by his parents and brother.

Visitation will be held at Beall Funeral Home, 6512 Crain Hwy, Bowie, MD 20715, on Saturday May 30, 2026 from 3 to 4pm. A Memorial Service will follow from 4 to 5pm. The Memorial Service will provide an opportunity for anyone wishing to speak and share memories or stories.

The family wishes to extend their heartfelt thanks to the dedicated staff at Harmony at Enterprise and Luminis Health Gilchrist Lifecare Institute for their compassionate care.

Bruce’s fun, loving, kind, and compassionate spirit touched the lives of many and he will be deeply missed by his family, friends, and all who knew him.

Bruce/Dad/Babaw – you will be missed but forever in our hearts and memories. Your legacy and everything you taught and instilled in us will live on through us. Goodbyes are not forever; they are not the end. It simply means we’ll miss you dearly until we meet again in heaven.