Bruce Gordon Brownlee died of a sudden heart attack on Sunday, January 31st, at around 4:50am. He was 65. He is survived by his beloved wife of 44 years, Sara McGreal Brownlee; his son, John Brownlee; and the daughters of his heart, Aunna and Lilly Shamlian; as well as a daughter-in-law, Brittany Morford. He is also survived by his father, Harold Joseph Brownlee, and his two brothers, Robert and David Brownlee.

Bruce was a devoted husband and father. He was also a man of extraordinary talents. He was an artist, a musician, a critic, a philosopher, an intellectual, a wit, and a lover of film (even the occasional bad ones). Bruce was solitary by nature, but kind and generous by character. He disliked socializing, yet charmed everyone he met.  On any given day, he would tell you it was the worst day of his life; yet his life made the days of everyone who knew him brighter, just by his presence.

For over 50 years, Bruce has fought depression, and while he never beat it, it also never beat him. That's why we, his family, would ask those of Bruce's friends who would like to pay tribute to his memory to donate anything they can to the Brain & Behavior Research Center (formerly NASRAD), an excellent non-profit that has raised $350 million in the last twenty-five years to help fund scientific research to help cure people like Bruce.  

Because as wonderful a man, a husband, and a father as Bruce was, depression made it so much harder for him to be the person that he wanted to be. We hope that depression can be cured, so that the next person born with Bruce's gifts and grace will never have to also fight his demons. 

We love you, Bruce. Rest well.