Bruce Allen Russell, (1964 - 2021) - ForeverMissed.com Online Memorials

Death is not the end. Death is the road and life is the traveller. The soul is the guide. We will miss Bruce on this earth but honor the best of who he was and hold him in our hearts forever.

57 years old
Born on February 12, 1964
Passed away on March 2, 2021

This site was created to reflect upon Bruce's life and to honor his memory. Please create a "story" with any reflections and upload any memorable photos or other media you may have to share with others.

Tributes

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February 16, 2023

I heard a Gary Burton song today and thought of Bruce. We were buddies at
Vanderbilt and saw a Burton show as well as several other jazz concerts at
Langford Auditorium on campus. I will always remember his smile, his wit, and his love of great music. Rest in peace old friend

February 12, 2023

Thinking of Bruce on his birthday today. He would have been 59.

I miss him very much but am so fortunate to have known him. Despite his immense challenges and dark moments, I think fondly of the many good memories and know he is still with us in heart and in spirit. Rest in peace Bruce.

February 12, 2023

Having essentially grown up with Bruce and sharing nearly every day with him from the age of 12 to 17, then as young adults living basically next door to each other, and then traveling literally around the world together on any number of adventures, to suggest he made a significant impact on who I am would be a significant understatement.

Bruce was a complex, sometimes difficult but undoubtedly brilliant man. I miss him every day.

Happy Birthday Uncle Bruce! One is never really gone unless they are forgotten, and you my friend are far from forgotten! I choose to remember only the best parts of you, and those parts I shall continue to remember well.

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Recent Tributes

February 16, 2023

February 12, 2023

Gallery

Bruce at our Vanderbilt Medical School Graduation May, 1990

One of my favorites... a really funny guy!

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His Life

Obituary

March 14, 2021

Bruce Allen Russell (57) was born on February 12, 1964 in Levelland, Texas to Paul and Tomi (dec. 2004) Russell. His family moved to Oregon in the late 60's. Bruce graduated from Catlin Gabel High School in Portland, Columbia University in New York, Vanderbilt Medical School in Nashville and completed his surgical residency at the Oregon Health Sciences University Hospital before practicing medicine in Portland. Bruce took solace in staying physically and mentally active, in addition to practicing his renewed faith in God in recent years. He was an avid reader, writer, musician, scuba diver, runner and bicyclist. Bruce is survived by his son Jack, daughter Kinsie, father Paul, brother Steve, sister-in-law Beth, niece Jessica and nephews Thomas and James, along with numerous life-long friends and connections in the Portland community. Bruce was a brilliant, talented, highly accomplished, creative and loving person who struggled mightily with mental illness in the latter stages of his life. While he had dark moments, his periods of radiance, joy, humor and love will be missed. Rest in peace Bruce.

Missing Bruce

April 15, 2022

Bruce was a brilliant man that was my good friend.
Recently we hadn’t been in touch for a number of years. He reached out to me Dec 2020 and we saw each other a couple times before his passing.
I didn’t get responses to my texts and was concerned for his well being. I googled and called around but couldn’t learn anything.

My heart is broken right now as I just learned this.

He spoke very highly about you David. He loved Jack and Kinseyimmensely

I’ll see him again. We’ll hug. We’ll talk/share crazy creative thoughts of what more good we wanted to do while on earth. Bruce was brilliant. I miss him. I wish I could have been more available for him.

Bruce… thank you for being such a caring, creative, determined, fun, loyal friend. I miss you. I’m grateful you are a part of my life.

Happy Birthday, Bruce ❤️

February 12, 2023

Bruce, you are still missed so much, especially by your lifelong & beyond friend and my partner, Dave Farrell. You meant so much to him and to me. Your mental health struggles and your tragic passing still breaks our hearts. It caused not only pain to you, but to others around you. Despite that darkness that we can only begin to imagine, we still treasure the moments of laughter and joy that we were able to share with you. Your quick and quirky wit still make Dave laugh even though you are gone.

Rest in peace, Bruce, and may we someday understand and address mental illness better than we do today so that we can find compassionate solutions and help before it is too late.

"Barking at my reflection" - original song about Bruce by Chloe Farrell

April 16, 2021

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Chloe wrote a very touching song about Bruce and our relationship. Listen carefully to the lyrics as it captures the essence of dealing with the loss of my good friend.

Thank you Chloe for this gift and for being such an awesome daughter who is not only extremely talented and awesome in so many ways, but the most emotionally intelligent person I know. I love you.

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