By Catherine Pugh
Special to the AFRO
A celebration of life for Leon Bridges Sr. took place Monday, April 27 at his home church in Baltimore, Douglass Memorial Community Church.
A prominent architect, Bridges became only the second African American to open an architectural firm in Seattle, Washington, and in 1972 established Maryland’s first African-American architectural firm. He died at age 93.
Bridges served on numerous boards and commissions and held leadership posts in national organizations, including the American Institute of Architects (AIA). He worked in higher education as a visiting professor at institutions such as Southern University in Baton Rouge, La. and Hampton Institute in Hampton, Va. Bridges was also an assistant professor for Morgan State University in Maryland.
Roslyn Smith described Bridges as a respected architect with a strong commitment to civic life.
She noted that Bridges, a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc., was passionate about uplifting young people. According to Smith, he supported the NAACP and ACT-SO (Academic-Cultural Technological and Scientific Olympics), encouraging students who advanced to national competition. She added that he followed politics closely, recalling that his engagement dated to the era of Clarence H. “Du” Burns, who became Baltimore City’s first African-American mayor in 1987.
Joan Pratt, former Baltimore City comptroller who served for nearly 30 years, remembered Bridges fondly.
“He was such a gentleman,” said Pratt. “He supported every campaign I ran—and others as well. He loved sharing parting wisdom, along with the knowledge and lessons he’d gained.”
Bridges received more than 26 awards, including recognition for designing the Coppin State University Administration Building. He also worked to restore Baltimore’s Penn Station. As a leader within the AIA and the National Organization of Minority Architects, Bridges co-founded the AIA Ford Minority Scholarship Fund.
Despite his responsibilities with national organizations, civic groups and his firm, Bridges remained devoted to his family.
His wife of 65 years, Eloise, reflected on their life together.
“He was my husband, my sweetheart and my soul mate,” Mrs. Bridges told the AFRO. “I have my ups and downs, but I have wonderful memories.”
Together, the two traveled to the continent together. “He was always willing to help someone, especially young people wanting to better themselves,” she said.
Bridges’ devotion to family was widely recognized.
John Coleman, his fraternity brother, remembered rides to fraternity events when he said, “all Leon talked about was how much he loved Eloise and his family.”
Eloise noted that her husband managed everything, including the bills, until his death.
“He put everything in Leon Jr.’s name,” she said with a smile. “He would often tell me, ‘Honey, don’t worry. I’ve got it under control,’” she said.
Mrs. Bridges said she believes her husband would have appreciated the celebration of life and the support shown to their family. She said she hopes his memoir will be published; the National Organization of Minority Architects asked him to write it, and he did. In it, he recounts the obstacles he overcame in pursuing his goal of becoming an architect—a dream he held since seventh grade.
To her dear husband, Mrs. Bridges said she had one last message.
“I’ll see you before long,” she said.
In addition to his wife of 65 years, Eloise Avonne Jones Bridges, he is survived by his daughters, Vanessa Joy and Elise Gary (Robert Hicks); his sons, Leon Jr. (Adriadne) and Elliott Reynold; his grandsons, Jamison Andrew and Bradley Drakeford Bridges; and many cousins, nieces and nephews.