Bruce David Mann

More than anything, Bruce loved teaching. Starting at the University of Puget Sound (UPS) Fall 1975, he taught a variety of courses centered around his area of expertise, economics.

He had just taught the first 2 classes for Fall 2024 when he was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia. In spite of dedicated and knowledgeable care by the staff at the University of Washington Medical Center, Bruce passed away October 1, 2024.

Bruce was born September 7, 1946 in Manhattan, NY to Mildred and Seymour Mann. His family, including his older brother Jeff and younger brother Tom, lived in New Rochelle until Bruce was 6 and they moved to Hollywood, FL. There, Bruce enjoyed being the catcher on the local boy's baseball team, and going to the beach with his best friend Ira Leesfield.

Bruce graduated from Broward High School in 1964. He earned his BA in economics at Antioch College, then spent 2 years in Iran with the Peace Corps. He received his PhD in economics at Indiana University, then started his lifelong career teaching at UPS.

Bruce was active in local community affairs as a consultant for the City of Tacoma, Pierce County government, civic groups, and associations. His advice and counsel were highly valued and respected. He was president of Northwest Sinfonietta, the Tacoma Jewish Community Fund, and Temple Beth El. He took the time to help numerous young teens as they prepared for their Bar/Bat Mitzvahs.

One of Bruce's favorite projects was the annual Pierce County Forecast. He and his close friend and collaborator, Doug Goodman, presented the local economic outlook for 25 years, with dry humor and wit.

Bruce married Judith Florence on December 29, 2002. Their life together was rooted in exploration and finding fun. When he wasn't teaching, the time they spent with each other ranged from driving the back roads in various countries, discovering the sights and the food, to settling down in the evenings at home to watch Jeopardy! and British or Australian dramas. He loved watching baseball and hockey -- whatever teams were playing. Classical music played in the background of his life. He tackled the New York Times crossword puzzles with scholarly determination.

Bruce was a proud and devoted father to his children Aaron and Rachel. His time with his children and 5 grandchildren was spent providing experiences that will leave them with lasting memories.

To all he knew and those fortunate enough to know him, Bruce D. Mann was a teacher. He guided his students and his family with loving critique and a playful wink.

Bruce was a true mensch and he will be remembered as a man of integrity and honor. He is survived by his loving wife Judy, his brothers Jeff and Tom (Linda), his children Aaron (Emily), Rachel (Ben Gould), stepdaughter Shoshana, and his grandchildren Ari, Micah, Tamar, Eliana, and Naomi.

The funeral service celebrating Bruce's life will be held at Home of Peace Cemetery on Sunday, October 6 at 2 p.m. (5421 Steilacoom Blvd., Lakewood, WA). A gathering to share memories and a light meal will follow at Temple Beth El (5975 S. 12th St., Tacoma, WA).

In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Bruce may be sent to the Tacoma Jewish Community Fund (tacomajcf.org) or Northwest Sinfonietta (nwsinfonietta.org).