Joseph Bruce Nelson ’62

Bruce died June 24, 2022, in White River Junction, Vt., of Lewy body dementia.
Coming to us from the Choate School, Bruce majored in religion and dined at Cannon Club, serving as
president in his senior year. He played freshman football and freshman and varsity lacrosse.
Following graduation he moved to California, married Donna Robinson, and attended San Francisco
Theological Seminary. He eventually left the seminary and later earned a master’s degree in 1965 and a
Ph.D. in 1982, both in history. The gap in his studies was devoted to working in the anti-war and labor
movements.
After receiving his doctorate Bruce taught at UC Davis, Middlebury College, and Dartmouth, where he
won several teaching awards over 24 years. Clubmate Mike Devine remembered him as serious and
respected. Teaching colleagues described him as friendly, warm, and fierce with a voice of conscience and
fairness.
While in California he brought his passion for lacrosse to the Bay Area, and soon Oakland Youth Lacrosse
was born. The first teams used equipment that he purchased.
Surviving Bruce are his wife, Donna; daughter Ellen van Bever and her husband Derek; son Chris and his
wife Caroline; and six grandchildren. The class extends sympathy to all.