Wendy Bartlett

Bruce was one special person! He always had that little smile and seemed amused and interested in what I was saying. He and Diane were always one of those special couples who truly loved and respected each other. I always felt part of their family, especially as they kindly let me stay in their apartment on campus at Santa Cruz when they were traveling. They were good friends of my daughter, Elizabeth Stark’s, father. And I would see Bruce at Elwin Marg’s annual conference for years. It was great keeping up with him in that way. It is hard to believe he is not there smiling, but my memory of that smile will last as long as I do! He is dearly missed.

Faye Crosby

Thinking of Bruce brings many very positive memories to mind.  Bruce was a very well-known scholar, and most of the memories concern our very collegial interactions within the department and beyond it at UCSC.  But some of the memories center on our interactions off the hill.  It was always a pleasure to encounter Bruce dressed up in his tuxedo, singing in the chorale.  How lovely to see Bruce and Diane at cultural events.

One particularly vivid memory speaks to Bruce’s commitment not just to our department or to his field but to the environment and future generations.  Bruce was an early adopter of the Prius because of its promise for clean energy.  When he learned that I was considering what car to purchase next, he and Diane came over in their Prius and offered to take me and my then-partner for a spin.  I had been leaning toward the purchase of a Prius (thanks to Bruce) but my partner was more resistant.  Bruce explained the advantages of the car, drove us around the block, and then put my partner behind the wheel.  She was convinced, and we bought a Prius.  Again and again I saw Bruce go out of his way to fulfill his civic obligations.  And although he occasionally muttered some dissatisfaction about shouldering a burden that others ignored, nine times out of ten he went about making the world a better place with a smile on his face and a spring in his step.

Bruce’s tragic death has been a shock and a sadness.  I do and I will miss him.

Susie Land

I loved seeing Bruce running around with his grandkids at the end of the street and seeing him come back and forth from work on his bicycle.

Bob and Carol Phelps

Bruce and I were graduate students at Stanford in the late 1960’s and early 1970’s. Bruce was always calm, collected, but very enthusiastic about his research ideas. Many of them were “impossible” but somehow Bruce didn’t know that and made them work. I guess that’s why he’s been so successful in his career after graduate school.

 

My wife Carol and I got together socially with Bruce and Diane as often as busy graduate students could, which wasn’t much. But we really enjoyed one another and shared many interests, including the outdoors. We watched their blooming romance and would like to think we egged them on to get married. We stood up for them at their wedding and have some great photos to look back at to fondly remember those days.

 

After leaving graduate school, Bruce and I saw each other only a few times but somehow there was a strong connection which I never realized until now that Bruce is gone. In retrospect, he could easily have been the brother I never had.

 

Bob and Carol Phelps

Colleen and Ken Rand

My image of Bruce is of a wonderful tutor who helped me get through perception in graduate school. My undergraduate major was in anthropology and I had zero preparation for a graduate class. There is no question that without Bruce’s patience I would have had to take and retake that course.
Stanford also provided us with the chance to have “free” evenings with Bruce and Diane. The excitement and intensities of studies were enhanced by a lasting friendship.
Although distances have prevented visits (CA vs FL), we’ve kept in touch through holiday greetings (often delightful notes written by Natalie).
We truly regret the untimely death of a marvelous scientist and human being.
Colleen and Ken Rand

Flora Lu

Before even arriving to UCSC in 2008, I knew Bruce as the father of one of my very best and favorite undergraduates I taught while as a postdoc at Stanford, his daughter Tess. Bruce will remain in our minds and hearts as brilliant and full of energy. What an amazing life he led–what he contributed, how he positively shaped those around him, and the intellectual, professional, and personal legacy he leaves. Some years ago, I asked Bruce to guest lecture for me to talk about the brain, neural processing, and critical thinking. As a master teacher, he engaged the classroom and delivered a lecture that was thought-provoking and stimulating.  He will be deeply missed, and my sincere condolences and love go out to his family.

Simone Benedetto

People who have changed your life don’t die.
I’ll always remember Bruce as one of the brightest and kindest people I’ve met in my life.
I spent one year in his lab in 2010 and learned so many things from him, I don’t even know where to start from.
The last time I saw him we were in Paris, the time before in Italy along with his wonderful wife Diane.
All these beautiful moments will never leave my mind. I’ll keep talking about Bruce for the rest of my life.
Simone Benedetto, PhD
Italy