Bruce Mackey

1939 - 2025

Bruce Mackey
02/09/1939 - 10/17/2025
Bruce Mackey
Bruce Ernest Mackey, age 86, a longtime resident of Berkeley, California, passed away peacefully on October 17, 2025, in Danville, California. He was born on February 9, 1939 in Akron, OH, to James and Virginia (Penrose) Mackey.
Bruce attended the University of Akron in Ohio on a scholarship, where he received his Bachelor of Science degree in 1961. He went on to Cornell University in Ithaca, NY, also on a full scholarship, where he received his PhD in Statistical Methods in 1966.
Bruce devoted his career to statistical research in the field of agriculture. Following university, he went to work at the Agricultural Research Center in Beltsville, MD. In 1969, he transferred to the USDA Western Regional Research Center in Albany, CA where he spent the next 52 years, earning the respect of his colleagues for his dedication to his field, and his expertise, integrity and collaboration. Bruce was a member of the American Statistical Association (ASA). He also belonged to the SAS Users Groups and attended many of the SAS Users Group International conferences. Bruce retired in 2021, after 55 years of Federal Service.
Bruce married Nancy Kay Smith in 1970. He was previously married to Carol Llewellyn, with whom he shared two daughters; Sharon Mackey-O'Flaherty of Davis, CA, and Ann Wilson of Pleasanton, CA. He was preceded in death by his mother and father and by his brother, James Penrose Mackey and James' wife, Joyce. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Nancy Mackey, and by his daughters, Sharon and Ann and their respective children; Emily O'Flaherty and Deanna Cortez. He is also survived by the children of James and Joyce Mackey (Robbin, James), by his sister, Joyce King of Kent, OH, and her children (Julie, Ken, Beverly, Virginia, Karen, John) and by his sister, Weltha Page of Evergreen, CO, and her children (Wendy, Jenny, Jason).
Also grieving his passing are his brother-in-law, Jerry Smith and his wife, Kathleen Roe and Bruce's niece and nephews, Amy, Brant and Cameron Smith and Brant's wife Kelli (Barnett) Smith, Amy's daughter, Olga Chiquet, his niece, Barbara Watson, and many more, all of whom will remember him for his kindness, humility and humor.
Bruce was an athlete, an outdoorsman and a naturalist his entire life. He donated to many environmental causes. As a boy, he achieved the rank of Eagle Scout in the BSA. Bruce's family home in Akron is situated at the top of the Cuyahoga Gorge Park, where he spent many hours of his boyhood meandering and learning about nature with his best friend. He was an avid birdwatcher and could identify dozens of bird species by sight or even by their song alone. At the University of Akron, he played tight end (#85) on the football team and set several track records which stood for years. Later in life he enjoyed pick-up basketball in the Berkeley Hills and walks on the Bay Trail. Bruce's passion was fly fishing, which he enjoyed on rivers from Patagonia to Alaska and all over the Western United States. - his cast was a pleasure to watch. Trout for breakfast-caught and prepared as others were just getting up-was a highlight of many backpacking trips in the Sierras. Of all his achievements, Bruce's greatest gift and legacy is the love and respect for nature that he inspired and nurtured in his family.