Phillip "Bruce" Austensen

Phillip Bruce Austensen, known to his family and friends as Bruce, passed away in Sebastopol, California, on Saturday, March 16, 2024, at the age of 88. He was preceded in death by his parents Phillip and Gladys along with his former wife Suzanne (mother of his children). He is survived by his sister Susan (Christopher) Psaropulos; four sons: Craig, Eric, Scott (Shelley), Blake (Pamela); five grandchildren: Adam, Zachary, Jacob, Kathryn, Kyle; and long-time friend Dorothy and her daughter Jennifer.

A private celebration of life was held on Sunday, April 7, 2024.

Bruce was born on September 16, 1935, in Washington, DC, to parents Phillip Johnston Austensen, reporter for the Washington Post, and Gladys Cook Austensen, homemaker. He grew up in Silver Spring, Maryland, and attended Montgomery Blair High School where he played clarinet in the school marching band. Bruce received a BA in Sociology from the University of Maryland at College Park and continued to American University in Washington, DC, where he graduated with a LLB degree in 1960.

Throughout his law career, Bruce worked as an attorney for several businesses including American Oil in Baltimore, MD; The Rouse Company in Columbia, MD; and Levitt and Sons in Hyattsville, MD. In 1973, he transitioned to private law practice in Reisterstown, MD. Bruce raised his four children in Woodbine in Howard County, Maryland. In 2000, he moved to Cazadero, California, where he semi-retired and continued to practice law until 2015 when he fully retired. He spent his later years traveling the country between California, Massachusetts, Maryland, and Georgia visiting his family and friends.

Bruce was a friendly and charismatic person, and people were drawn to him. He made friends easily and his easy smile made him an asset to any gathering. He has been described by his family and friends as intelligent, well-informed, reserved, formal, and diplomatic. Many found him to be mischievous, witty, and funny. Bruce was a kind, patient, caring, and proud man.

He spent the last years of his life in a long-term care facility in California where his son Eric and grandson Adam, who lived nearby, tended to Bruce, helping him, providing comfort, and working for his best interests. Bruce will be greatly missed by his family and friends.