Bruce M. Bochnowski

Bruce Martin Bochnowski passed away at age 65 after a short battle with cancer on September 26, 2026.

Born in Charlottesville, Virginia, Bruce moved to Delaware at age four and remained a lifelong resident. He was a proud graduate of Dover High School (’79) and the University of Delaware, where he earned both his undergraduate and a master’s degrees in education. Bruce dedicated over 30 years of his life to public education, beginning his career working with challenged youth at the Stockley Center in Georgetown and later teaching in the Lake Forest and Indian River School Districts. Following in his father’s footsteps, he expanded his teaching to include computer science and served on a statewide committee to develop Delaware’s first “Computer Skills Growth Chart.”

Bruce became an avid cyclist, competing in a variety of charity events including the 100-mile MS Bike to the Bay. Both a styllophile and horophile (collector of pens and watches), he also loved more than a few good pairs of tennis shoes and sitting down to watch SpongeBob.

After living downstate most of his life, Bruce made the move to Wilmington in 2021. He loved the city, especially the ability to walk virtually everywhere and effortlessly jump on the train for a day in New York or DC. Bruce began traveling internationally in earnest with groups from U of D, as well as on his own meticulously planned excursions, to London, Paris, Italy and Greece. Twice he got to see the Tour de France, sending pictures of the excitement to family.

An unbashful cat-man, Bruce appreciated the cunning and independence of his feline companions. His generous philanthropy included support of H & W Sanctuary (animal rescue) in Georgetown, Delaware Public Media, and the SPCA.  Shortly before his illness, Bruce established the John F. and Ruth A. Bochnowski Secondary Support Fund at the University of Delaware in memory of his parents. This fund now honors two lives devoted to education.

Bruce is survived by his sisters, Andrea Maucher and Jean Bochnowski (Karen Hayman), his nieces Lucy, Ravy, Emily and nephew Zachary, as well as his Aunt Jeanne and cousins from the Bixby and Hall-Stinson families. Most appropriately for a lover of history, Bruce’s final resting place will be the Wilmington and Brandywine Cemetery alongside signers of the Declaration and Constitutions. Donations in Bruce’s name can be made to H & W Sanctuary through Venmo: @Sara-Heinicke-1 or the Bochnowski Fund at the University of Delaware Alumni, 83 E. Main Street, 3^rd Floor, Newark, DE 19716.