Bruce MacDonald 1948-2024

Bruce Walter MacDonald, cherished husband, devoted brother, loyal friend and beloved by his extended family, was born on 29 September 1948, the youngest son of Charles and Ruth MacDonald of Hyde Park, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA. He passed away unexpectedly but peacefully on 8 December 2024.

An alumnus of Withrow High School, Bruce attended Princeton University at the early age of 16. While pursuing his Ph.D. in Aeronautical Engineering, he decided to change the course of his career by switching from rocket propulsion to public policy. This was, after all, the 1960’s and Bruce felt the call of Washington DC where he wanted to make a difference in the world.

Some of Bruce’s most meaningful professional accomplishments included serving as Assistant Director for National Security in the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (1995-1999), as Senior Director for Science and Technology for the National Security Council in the White House (1999), Senior Director to the Congressional Commission on the Strategic Posture of the United States (2009), and his 2016 book, Crisis Stability in Space, China and Other Challenges.

In more recent years, Bruce was pleased to teach graduate students at the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced and International Studies (SAIS) on Nuclear Nonproliferation and, latterly, on Space Security and Policy, as well as writing and consulting on nuclear, military space, and cyber security policy issues in a long, varied and dynamic career.

Bruce was a man of boundless curiosity and unwavering kindness. He had a joy for life that touched everyone around him. He loved to share the fortuitous story of how a trip to London, relating to a post-Cold War and highly successful US government initiative on plutonium disposition, had resulted in meeting his future wife, Rita. But, really, this connection was only made possible because of the warm friendships he had maintained for many years despite the demands of his work on Capitol Hill. Nonetheless, he loved to tell people, “You know, plutonium brought us together!”.

Bruce had a deep passion for music, theatre and travel but his greatest love was for his family and friends—a cherished trait shared by the entire MacDonald family. Underlying his joie de vivre was a kind and decent soul, a warm and generous spirit, and an enduring curiosity that inspired him and those around him.

Bruce is survived by his wife Rita Campion MacDonald of Great Falls, Virginia, USA, brother Charles and sister Charlene. He was predeceased by his parents, Charles and Ruth, his brother, Lloyd, and his sister, Marcia. He is mourned by nieces, Teresa, Laura, Linda and Lauren, his nephew James, Aunt Bonnie, sister-in-law Linda, beloved cousins and dear friends.  

Donations in Bruce’s memory may be made to the Union of Concerned Scientists or Great Falls United Methodist Church. Acknowledgements can be mailed to: Bruce’s Memory, 354 Club View Drive, Great Falls, VA 22066