Bruce Steele Phalen, loving family man

Bruce Steele Phalen of Lewes passed away peacefully Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025. He was on the cusp of being 96.

Bruce was born in Waltham, Mass., Dec. 20, 1929, and grew up in Lexington during the depression and World War II, living in homes that his father (Stanley) built until they could be sold. He graduated from Tufts University with a B.S. in chemical engineering and served a year abroad in the Air Force. His career was defined by first managing chemical plants that produced cellophane, followed by a plant in Newark that produced a form of microcrystalline cellulose, which revolutionized oral medication delivery. After his retirement he worked for many years to provide free tax filing services to those who needed assistance.

He was married for 69 years to the love of his life, Lydia. Together they formed an inseparable team raising four children, David (Susan), Paul (Laurieann), Ann (Russ) and Susan. Bruce is also survived by 10 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

At the center of Bruce and Lydia’s lives was family. Together they selflessly provided for their children and grandchildren so that they had every opportunity to achieve their full potential, and they took great delight in their accomplishments. Bruce was active in the Episcopal church throughout his life. He sang in the choir in the Trinity Church in Boston as a child, was an active member of St. Alban’s Church in Wilmington, Saint Thomas Church in Newark, and St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Lewes. Bruce and Lydia loved nature and the ocean. They moved to Lewes in 1996 and took great delight in being a part of the community in their retirement years.

Friends and family are invited to a memorial service at 11 a.m., Wednesday, Dec. 17, at St. Peter's Episcopal Church, 200 Second St., Lewes.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, P.O. Box 464, Lewes, DE 19958.

Online condolences can be left by visiting melsonfuneralservices.com.