Bruno Conegliano

Geologist, civil engineer and water resources specialist, Bruno Conegliano was born in Milan, Italy to Maria Knez-Conti and Marcello Conegliano. Bruno spent his childhood in Trieste until he was nine. In March of 1944, during WWII, Bruno and his family moved on to Milan, Italy where most of his family still reside today.

As a Boy Scout Bruno developed a passion for camping, skiing, mountains, and rock climbing in the Alps. He received a doctorate in Geological Sciences from the Universita di Pavia, Italia, cum laude, for his work on the Geological Survey of Italy. In the fall of 1960, he received a Fulbright Scholarship to attend the University of Colorado in Boulder to study soil mechanics and the construction of earthen dams. After returning to Italy Bruno supervised the construction of a large earthen dam in Sicily.

He returned to the U.S. as a Design/Project Engineer in 1966 for the development of flood control in Houston, Texas. Bruno received a degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Houston. In 1977 he moved to Albuquerque to develop flood protection plans and stormwater management as Assistant City Engineer. In 1983 he moved to Austin to work with the Water and Wastewater department. In 2003 he retired as a Senior Engineer.

Bruno is survived by his wife of 27 years, Pat Reidy Conegliano of Austin, his daughter Francesca Bracho, her husband Romer and their three sons: Alexander and twins Leandro and Marcelo; Bruno’s son Gianmarco Conegliano of Vienna, Austria; and a sister, Anna Maria Galimberti, and brother, Sergio Conegliano, both of Italy. A younger brother, Guido, predeceased him.

Bruno strongly believed in staying active with democratic and environmental efforts. He participated in ACLU, South Austin Democrats meetings, and helped with city council elections. He was very active with the Austin chapter of the Sierra Club, spent time on the executive committee, and led several day hikes and camping trips which included his exceptional cooking.  He volunteered to consult for and help publish the Onion Creek 100yr flood plan. As a member of Audubon, he participated in many birding excursions.  Bruno especially loved inviting folks home for a meal and loved to cook. During his 20 years working in Austin, he sometimes brought field crews home for lunch, and a few times even cooked Thanksgiving and Christmas meals for crews out in the field. He was a voracious reader. His study has floor to ceiling shelves filled with books ranging from art and science to politics.  He very much loved children, and could often be found making them laugh, creating origami, being silly or just laughing together. He cherished his time spent with his three grandsons exploring nature, art, or the skies.

After retiring in 2003, he and Pat travelled back and forth to Italy, based in Trieste, where Bruno could reconnect with his roots and family. Bruno's conversations with folks were often 'salted' with his quirky Venetian humor or quotes from movies -- a delight once you caught on! Bruno's passions ranged from studying earth's rock formations to his passion for astronomy. Car camping trips into Texas and New Mexico often included a 'third passenger' - his cannon size telescope, Big Bear,  strapped down with seat belt in back.  His love for his family,  people of all walks of life, and for his service to the community will be greatly missed.

The daily mass August 30 at 12:05pm will include Bruno’s name during the prayers of the faithful.

St. Ignatius Martyr Catholic Church, 2309 Euclid Ave. Austin, Texas 78704

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in Bruno’s memory to one of the following causes:

Congressman Lloyd Doggett (For re-election)

P.O. Box 5843

Austin, Texas 78763

Sierra Club Lone Star Chapter

6406 N. IH 35

Austin, Texas 78752

SAVE BARTON CREEK ASSOCIATION
P.O. Box 5923
Austin, Texas  78763