Bruce Winick Obituary

Bruce J. Winick, cofounder of the ``therapeutic jurisprudence'' model of civil commitment, and a professor of two disciplines at the University of Miami -- law, and psychiatry and behavioral science -- died Thursday of cancer at Jackson Memorial Hospital. Born Sept. 1, 1944, in New York, he would have turned 66 next Wednesday.

Published by the Miami Herald on Aug. 28, 2010.

Memories and Condolences
for Bruce Winick

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23 Entries

Bruce and I started at the law school at the same time...1974. I was in his first law class and still think of him after these many years. In my third year I did an independent study with him, helping him research and draft a brief to the United States Supreme Court. I will always carry with me the standard of excellence he asked of me as his student as well as his grace and humanity. The world is a far poorer place without him.
Barry Hoffman class of 1977

Barry Hoffman

March 18, 2011

I am sorry for the loss of Prof. Winick. He taught me first year Civ Pro in 1982. Great class, great guy.

Debra Cohen

October 4, 2010

To Margot and the rest of the Winick family, my deepest condolences.

Karen Branch-Brioso

September 26, 2010

Bruce made me - and many others - proud to be lawyers by his example as a human being, advocate and scholar.

Kim Wright

September 25, 2010

Dad, I miss you every single day. I am comforted by all these thoughts and remembrances of you, which have been incredible. You would have loved them all. Today we all will be together celebrating you and rejoicing your amazing spirit. I love you always.

Margot Winick

September 24, 2010

They say that the only thing that lasts from our lives on earth is that what we leave behind in one else's heart. Professor Winick touched many hearts and so he definitely did with mine. By means of his incredible intelligence and personality he teached and showed us the therapeutic way as a bridge between different sciences, between individual and collective interests, between litigants, ... and most important as the bridge inside of us, between our heart and head. We all know that when we start from there this bridge enfolds itself as a powerful connection. Thank you professor Winick, for - still daily - through your spirit and work - remembering me on that. You re a great inspiration to me.

Bieke Claes

September 17, 2010

We have lost a most splendid person. Bruce taught me something each time we spoke- honesty, humility, dedication, acceptance, forgiveness, living in the moment and most of all, keeping an open heart. I miss Bruce everyday.

Bonnie Levin

September 17, 2010

I remember him as a fellow yogi at Yoga Grove in Miami. He first turned me on to fasting as a spiritul practice. He used to do a juice fast during a major holiday like Thanksgiving. When I first overheard him talking about it I thought "How odd!" But when you think about it, it makes complete sense: During the one time of the year that everyone over-indulges, you remove yourself from the group mentality and undertake a spiritual austerity.

Chris Wong-Sang

September 11, 2010

Professor Winick was very special to me and to the hundreds of students that sat in his classroom over the years. There is so much to say about the impact Prof. Winick had on my life. The first time we met was through the Arsht Ethics Research Grant program and he offered his support and assistance immediately after my presentation even though he wasn't my professor and had no obligation to do so. His goal was to help us—law students—grow to be the best we can possibly be in our profession – to truly be a "zealous advocate." His course on Preventative Lawyering with Bernie Perlmutter taught me so much and is one that I literally use every day in my job. Prof. Winick and I stayed in touch over the years since I graduated and the support he has given me will always be invaluable. I was one of the lucky ones to learn directly from one of the founders of the "therapeutic jurisprudence" movement, a philosophy that every advocate should practice. Prof. Winick leaves behind a legacy at UM Law and throughout the entire legal community that will be forever relevant and appreciated. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family at this difficult time.

Mindy Reinstein

September 2, 2010

A great teacher and a great man. He will be missed.


JD 09

Watcharin Photangtham

August 31, 2010

Bruce was a hard-working, original thinker with a huge heart. His health problems with his eyesight did not slow him down. I remember talking to him at a meeting in New Orleans about all the domestic violence research I had been reading, and he stored it all in his memory, like a tape recorder, not missing a word. He lived a full life, accomplished more than most people, professionally and personally, was supportive of his colleagues and friends, and I wish he could have lived to be 100. He was an inspiration and a role model for me, and I miss him.

Leonore Simon

August 30, 2010

My thoughts and prayers go out to the Winick family and soon this prophecy at Revelation 21:13,4 will be fulfilled.

August 30, 2010

As a member of the judicial advisory board for the new TJ Institute. I consider myself incredibly lucky,that I Broward's Mental Health Court, was in line as a research site. for the past several months I had the pure joy of spending time, listening to Bruce raise intensely thoughtful questions, when the group of judges , thought we had the answers to many of the ethical and legal matters reviewed in preparation for the center's work and outreach to judges around the nation and globe.

Bruce was just as energetic, sweet and intellectually acute as ever. He was so excited about the implications of the work of the Tj Center and how it would help support Tj and develop meaningful evidence based data that all could use and rely upon.

His generosity of spirit was unmatched. Unique in his gentleness and powerful in scholarship he was one of my greatest mentors and most supportive colleagues as we journeyed into new therapeutic legal waters.....

I will always cherish him and will miss him...,,,

Judge Ginger Lerner Wren
17th Jud. Circ.

August 30, 2010

Bruce was a being of light whose professional contributions and unfailing kindness brought comfort, joy, and illumination to so many people. I had the great privilege of following his legal career as a journalist, and then, later, experiencing the warmth of his friendship. Amazingly, Bruce also found time to act as friend and legal counsel to my famous performing cat Princess Kitty® during her career and after her untimely death. His interests and affections stretched from the highest and noblest causes to the most humble of creatures. God’s own spirit was evident in Bruce’s tender heart, his creativity, and his love of truth and justice. With the co-creator of Therapeutic Jurisprudence, Bruce established a framework for diffusing compassion into the practice of law, and he was pleased with the progress of TJ. But he was most proud of his children and grandchildren, and rightly so. My prayers are with them.

Karen Payne

August 28, 2010

Bruce had such an adventurous spirit that would exhibit itself at the most enduring moments. Teaching him to take the helm of the boat, feeling the wind on his cheek to guide the boat, was his great pleasure. When caught in a storm, he would say “I’m not afraid of you Mr. Wind!” and we would take our knocks and blows. This grand spirit was exhibited in every aspect of his gifted life; a drive to experience and to conquer sweet mysteries by having them reveal themselves like a lily. My good friend will be missed by his loving family and the many people he touched with his wisdom and kindness.

Barbara Andress

August 28, 2010

Prof, You were the one who made a difference...especially to me. I was UM Class of '90, but followed your lectures and travels long thereafter. When the time was right a couple years ago, my daughter, Elisa, and I picked you up at your home a few blocks away and we had a fabulous lunch by the pool at the Biltmore, talking about medicine, law, anthropology and many funny things...Elisa's now in Med School and I know you'd be proud, like you were of all your family. I still remember you wearing the funny Railroad conductor's cap we gave you at the 1L party (Stotzky got the crankshaft and Fischl got the Melting Cows)! Haha, funny caselaw gifts. Rest in Peace, my friend, you were the one who made a difference to me...
- Thorn McDaniel

Thorn McDaniel

August 28, 2010

Jack and I are so saddened to hear of our cousin Bruce's passing. We were blessed to be able to see him this past May and tell him how much he is loved.
I'll never forget when he was a law student and during a family holiday feast, Bruce was in another room with his law books, only to come out for a quick bite to eat, and then - back to reading. He was passionate about his studies then, and continued to be passionate about his students. His work is bound in books and memories and he will live on through the lives of others, and in the hearts of his loved ones.
Love,
Carol and Jack Pally

Carol Pally

August 27, 2010

Thanks, Bruce. See you later.

Matthew Hurtgen

August 27, 2010

Susan Stefan captured the essence of Bruce Winick perfectly. He was a gentleman and a scholar. I studied Advanced Criminal Procedure in his class in 1989. His class discussions were challenging and memorable. My deepest sympathy to Margot.

Sue Sponnoble

August 27, 2010

I had the pleasure of working with Bruce for about 8mths and he proved to be one of the braviest person I have ever met.He stops at nothing.He was not a lawyer for himself but he had the heart for helping others.It was a pleasure knowing Bruce.He is blessed to have such a great family which he said he has learn to appreciate more and more each day.Rest in peace my friend.May the family find comfort in knowing he is resting.My prayers are with you all..

LEAH BECK

August 27, 2010

This is very hard. My former colleague Bruce Winick was a generous, gracious, cheerful, inquisitive and interesting person, who exhibited all of these qualities in great measure to me. I was young, abrasive, and not shy about disagreeing with a far better known scholar on his major scholarly project, and he couldn't have been kinder and more generous and helpful to me when I was at the University of Miami. I envied him his exotic foreign vacations, admired him for hiking the ridge in Kuai when his eyesight was failing, and felt fondest of him when he launched into bragging about his children, which he would do at the drop of a hat. I hope they know how proud he was of each of them and how much he loved them. His was a nature filled with light and kindness and I sorely miss him.

Susan Stefan

August 27, 2010

Sadness has overcome me this day hearing about the passing of Bruce Winick. As a young lawyer/public defender in the Miami-Dade Public Defender Office in the mid-70s, I was one of several assistant public defenders that specialized in mental health law. One of my mentors was Bruce. We shared many hours talking about mental health issues and served on numerous committees on the subject. Besides a mentor, he was a friend. The legal community will miss Bruce.

barry weinstein

August 27, 2010

I was so sorry to hear of Bruce's passing. Even thou he wasn't a blood cousin, I always thought of him as one.
My condolences to Margot, Graham and Pauline.
Cousin Marsha

Marsha Fromowitz

August 27, 2010

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