Bruce Atkinson

1950 - 2024

Bruce Atkinson
10/15/1950 - 02/01/2024
Treasured father, brother and friend passed away February 1st in San Mateo, Calif., at the age of 73.
Bruce lived most of his life on the Peninsula in Burlingame, Hillsborough, and San Mateo, but drew frequently on experiences living in Georgia, Cherry Valley, Calif., and Germany. Bruce attended Crocker Middle and San Mateo High Schools making many friends that he kept for life. After a tour of service with the U. S. Army in southern Germany, Bruce attended Cal Poly - San Luis Obispo graduating with a degree in Ornamental Horticulture.
Bruce's early horticulture career included positions with Bay Area landscaping design firms and with wife, Marsha founded GardenHouse, a gift and floral design shop in Burlingame. Bruce went on to practice landscape design with Blue Sky Designs of Half Moon Bay for 25 years until his retirement in 2022, after creating award winning garden designs for Peninsula homes.
Bruce was a natural designer, communicator, and what we call today a "maker." Photography, drawing, watercolors, woodworking and of course his own garden were all areas of skillful practice. The garage workshop may have been Bruce's favorite place to be with many cars refurbished, rebuilt, and raced in collaboration with friends or his son William.
Bruce will always be remembered and loved by family and friends for his great sense of humor, generosity, and friendship. He is survived by his son, William B. Atkinson; and William's mother, Marsha Garey Atkinson; sisters, Nancy A. Habgood and Mary D. Atkinson; and brother, George H. Atkinson.