Bruce W. MacDonald ’69 *72 *73

Bruce, a loyal friend of so many in our class, died Dec. 8, 2024.

Coming to Princeton at 16 from Cincinnati, Bruce majored in aerospace engineering and was a spirited and affable member of Dial Lodge who loved organizing a bridge game after dinner. He is described by friends as the most good-natured person they ever met.

Bruce continued for an MSE in 1972 and an MPA from the Wilson School in 1973. His career at the State Department, on Capitol Hill, as assistant director for national security in the science adviser’s office at the Clinton White House, and as senior director for science and technology on the National Security Council encompassed a life of distinguished public service. Later Bruce continued with work that he passionately believed in, particularly arms control. An early pioneer in space policy and security, he edited and co-authored, Crisis Stability in Space: China and other Challenges and, at the end of his career, he was pleased to teach both nuclear nonproliferation and space policy and security at Johns Hopkins' School of Advanced International Studies.

A man of boundless curiosity and unwavering kindness, Bruce had a joy for life that touched everyone around him. He loved to say that plutonium was the reason he met his future wife, Rita Campion. He rests in Glengarriff near their home on the shores of Bantry Bay in Ireland. The class extends its condolences to Rita; siblings Charles and Charlene; and Bruce’s extended family and friends.