Dr. Bruce Michael Warnes, 74, of Beaver, left this life on October 5th, 2026, while at home with his wife, Marjory, by his side. He was born April 2nd, 1952, at 1:15 a.m. to Don and Pauline Warnes—an hour and 15 minutes delayed to share a birthday with his mother, who joked for years about her late birthday present!
After graduating from Beaver High School in 1970, Dr. Bruce earned degrees in materials science and metallurgy from Penn State University in 1973, 1980, and 1983. In 1990, he earned his doctorate in metallurgical engineering from the University of Pittsburgh.
He was fascinated by how things work—and often, figured out how to make them work better. This curiosity led to an illustrative career in the aerospace industry, first at Howmet in Whitehall, Michigan, and later as an independent consultant. Bruce was an inventor on over two dozen patents and routinely presented his research at national and international conferences.
Outside of work, he played softball, volunteered as a Boy Scout leader, and served as president of the congregation for five years at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Beaver, Pennsylvania. He also was a talented artist who enjoyed oil painting, drawing, and creating stained glass. He was an avid reader who enjoyed reading about American history, preferably oceanside in Vero Beach, Florida, where he married Marjory in 1986.
For years, Bruce spoke about his dream of owning a pinball machine—which came true in 2008 when he purchased his first game. One machine eventually became a dozen, creating a private collection that brought him enormous pleasure and ensured that his love of pinball would be passed along to his children and grandchildren.
His children remember him for sharing his love of science and how things work, the outdoors, and music … particularly organ music. They share many fond memories of exploring the outdoors with him, including a memorable hike in Elk State Forest in Pennsylvania that lasted far longer and was further ranging than anyone expected.
He is survived by his wife of forty years, Marjory, three children, Melanie (Kevin) Peffer of Greeley, Colorado, John Warnes of Beaver and Jeffrey (Kayla) Warnes of Beaver, four grandchildren, Felix and Jasper Peffer and Ember and Onyx Warnes, two sisters, Susan Seyboth of Windsor, Connecticut, and Lucinda Schwarz of Beaver and his beloved sister-in-law, “Mary Sue” (Suzy) Burgess.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Pauline and Don Warnes.
In lieu of flowers, Dr. Bruce’s family is requesting for memorial contributions to be made to the Jules B. Puschett Research Endowment at the University of Pittsburgh in support of kidney research. The donation page can be found at dom.pitt.edu/renal/giving/.
A celebration of life will be held at 4 p.m. on Friday, November 6th, at the Beaver Pool House, 700 Buffalo Street in Beaver with a private interment at the Beaver Cemetery, Buffalo Street, Beaver.
The Noll Funeral Home, Inc, 333 Third Street, Beaver is managing his arrangements.
Online condolences can be shared at nollfuneral.com.
The family would like to thank all of Dr. Bruce’s caregivers at UPMC Shadyside Hospital, Fresenius Kidney Care, and EnHabit Home Health for their care and compassion during Bruce’s long illness.