Robert Douglas “Doug” Bruce, 60, of Chicago’s Andersonville/Uptown neighborhood, passed away from pancreatic cancer at home, surrounded by love, on June 11.
Doug is survived by his husband, Craig; his sister and brother-in-law, Moira and David; and by his three nephews, Rostik, Vadik, and Austin. He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Jeannette.
Born in Columbus, Mississippi, and raised in an Air Force family, Doug graduated from Air Academy High School and earned a Bachelor’s degree in English from Southern Methodist University. After college, he lived in New York City and New Orleans before settling in Chicago 30 years ago. He earned a Master’s of Social Work and a PhD in Public Health, both from University of Illinois at Chicago.
Doug was an accomplished public health researcher and, at the time of his passing, a professor of health sciences at DePaul University. He served as chair of the department of health sciences and taught in the Master of Public Health program, which he helped shape. He also served as principal investigator on grants from the National Institutes of Health.
As a program evaluation and development consultant, he worked with a number of local organizations, such as the AIDS Foundation of Chicago and Chicago Department of Public Health, as well as national and international organizations, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the US Agency for International Development. In work as in life, Doug was generous with his time and was a dedicated mentor of junior faculty and so many students.
Doug loved to travel with his husband and friends, cook, garden, listen to music, attend concerts and theatrical performances, throw a kick-ass party, hunt for treasures at antique malls and flea markets, enjoy a glass of wine or other adult beverage, craft and draw, complete challenging crossword puzzles, ride his bike, and spoil his cats Bugsy and Dutch, who preceded him in passing. His wit, intelligence, and mischievous smile lit up every space he entered. His love and support for his family and friends was unmatched.
Doug chose to be cremated and there will be a private celebration of life for family and friends at a later date.
In lieu of flowers or food, please celebrate and honor Doug by making a donation to the DePaul University department of health sciences student scholarships. Checks can also be sent with “In Memory of Doug Bruce/Fund for Health Sciences” in the memo line or in an attachment to: DePaul University, Attn: Gift Processing, 1 E Jackson Blvd, Chicago, IL 60604; or to Northwestern Memorial Hospital Cancer Center.