Bruce Dodge
F. Bruce Dodge, a skilled corporate litigator, passionate outdoorsman, and devoted family man, passed away in July 2024, at the age of 81.
Born in October 1942 to Fred and Helene Dodge, Bruce grew up in Lafayette, Calif., where he excelled as a football player and track star, running the 440-yard dash at Acalanes High School. He went on to graduate from Stanford University, Phi Beta Kappa, in 1964, and in 1967, from Harvard Law School, where he was at the top of his class and an editor of the Harvard Law Review.
After law school, Bruce clerked for Justice Tobriner on the California Supreme Court and then lived in Zambia for two years, where he helped draft its civil code. Bruce went on to become a partner at Morrison & Foerster in San Francisco for many years, earning a reputation as a crafty and engaging litigator.
Bruce was the lead attorney for the Mono Lake Committee and Audubon in the ultimately successful campaign to reduce the diversion of water from Mono Lake to Los Angeles. His tireless efforts led to a precedent-setting 1983 California Supreme Court decision that redefined the public trust doctrine to establish that the state has an obligation to consider public trust values (including ecological, recreational, aesthetic, and preservation of wildlife) in regulating water use. He also led complementary cases requiring that Los Angeles restore desiccated tributary streams and their trout habitat. In 1994, 16 years after beginning his pro bono work on the case, Bruce guided the Committee through extensive hearings to convince the California State Water Resources Board to apply the new public trust doctrine to Los Angeles's water rights, establishing a mandate to restore Mono Lake to a healthy level. For his efforts, Bruce was awarded the Mono Lake Committee's "Defender of the Trust" award in 1995 and the knowledge that millions of migratory and nesting birds and one of California's most significant ecological resources survive today due to his work.
Bruce's passions extended beyond the courtroom. He was an enthusiastic backpacker and a skilled fly fisherman, pursuing trout in the rivers near his cabin in the Sierra. Reflecting his deep appreciation for the region's history and natural beauty, Bruce was also an avid collector of materials relating to the high Sierra, amassing an important historical collection of original manuscripts, maps, first editions, photographs, paintings, and ephemera.
A skilled bridge player, Bruce was adept at winning his lunch money on his daily ferry commute. He was a crossword puzzle expert, completing difficult cryptics to the end of his life, and enjoyed playing gin rummy and hearts with friends and family.
Bruce was a devoted father and sports fan who never missed his children's sporting events; he later followed the nascent athletic careers of his grandchildren with the same fervor and pride. Bruce was also an ardent 49ers and SF Giants fan, although he rooted for the Brooklyn Dodgers, because of the shared name, until the Giants moved west in 1958. For decades, Bruce ran around Phoenix Lake every morning at sunrise, and he competed in the Dipsea race multiple times. He was proud that his sons followed in his footsteps, also completing the iconic race.
Bruce is survived by his loving wife of 42 years, Wendy Wyse; and their three children, Chris Dodge, Katie Stephens, and Andy Dodge. He is also survived by eight cherished grandchildren: Bennett Dodge (19), Ainsley Dodge (17), Gavin Dodge (16), Cole Stephens (12), Chase Stephens (9), Walker Dodge (5), Levi Dodge (3), and Campbell Dodge (1); and his sister, Barbara Dodge. Bruce and Wendy lived in the same home in Kentfield for the last 45 years of his life, and together they filled their home with love, warmth, and many cherished memories. He will be missed for his insightful and witty commentary, his encyclopedic knowledge, and the steadfast loyalty and generosity he showed those that were closest to him.
Bruce leaves a legacy as a champion of the environment, a brilliant legal mind, and a kind and humorous spirit. He will be deeply missed and fondly remembered.
Join us to celebrate Bruce's life on Thursday, 10 AM, on August 22, at the Marin Art and Garden Center in Ross.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by San Francisco Chronicle on Jul. 25, 2024.

Memories and Condolences
for Bruce Dodge

Sponsored by Monte's Chapel Of The Hills.

7 Entries

Nick Shannahan

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Bruce MacMakin

August 20, 2024

I knew Bruce Dodge for over 40 years, engaging with him in building his collection of manuscript and printed material relating to Yosemite. I worked auctioning items on Yosemite, and he bought some of them, but it was more than that. He had a careful way of analyzing a prospective purchase, and asked the questions that were hard to answer. I will miss my interactions with Bruce, usually every few months, sadly just over the phone the last several years. Bon Voyage. Bruce MacMakin.

Bruce MacMakin PBA Galleries

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Ilene Mandelbaum

August 16, 2024

TRIBUTE IN HONOR OF F. BRUCE DODGE

I want to express my deep appreciation for Bruce Dodge, having had the great privilege of working with him during my time with the Mono Lake Committee from 1984 through 1995.

Upon the sad news of his passing I wanted to review again the thick volume compiled by Morrison and Foerster of 15 years of briefs filed for the Committee and many of the other plaintiffs on behalf of Mono Lake with Bruce as lead attorney.

The clarity and focus of the persuasive arguments authored by Bruce and his equally excellent dedicated team, including Patrick Flinn and Bryan Wilson, are evident throughout. Bruce was the expert at precisely calling out LADWP´s "diversions" of the facts as a well-financed "side show." His closing summary statements are gems of succinct and witty eloquence.

On a personal level, I was in awe of Bruce; he was a patient and kind mentor. He was constantly having to field questions and suggestions, (often tangential) from me and our supporting staff and distinguished experts. More than once he would raise his hands gesturing "enough" and proclaim with consternation and some amusement, "That is NOT today´s problem!"

Nevertheless, Bruce left no stone unturned nor opposing arguments unchallenged. He brought confidence and dignity to the endless days of formal hearings before the courts and State Water Board. We owe a tremendous debt of gratitude for his leadership in our efforts to gain protection for Mono Lake and it´s recovering streams and environment.

Thank you, Bruce!

Ilene Mandelbaum

Denny Kruska

August 15, 2024

Of all the compliments I could proffer on my friend Bruce, the word "curmudgeon" surprisingly seemed to delight him the most. Now, of course Bruce was a devoted father and family man but during all of our many telephone conversations about the Sierra wilderness and rare Yosemite books, he liked to grouse about various subjects. When I would call him out as a "curmudgeon" he let out a laugh and warmly accept the compliment.

I always admired Bruce´s encyclopedic mind and his ability to recount his various book acquisitions and to revel in their rarity. Often, he would send me a cryptic email asking, "What about item "345"? I would have to respond to him and ask where is item "345" and he´d write back, "In the recent auction catalog." Then it was my task to find that particular catalog and then answer his terse question about the item. It was a fun game and he excelled in his part of it.

I only met Bruce in person twice during all the many years of our friendship and both visits at his beautiful home were memorable as he recounted his Sierra fishing trips and family memoires to myself and my wife Peggy.

At the end of our chats, I´d always remind Bruce that I thought of him as the person who saved Mono Lake. He´d chuckle and agree with me.

I will miss the grand gentleman and my friend. Vaya con Dios.

Kimber Pierpont

August 1, 2024

I have lots of memories of Bruce at the cabin with Aunt Helene and Uncle Fred. Also, lots of hiking and his love of the outdoors and fishing. He loved his family a lot.