Robert Bruce Macmurdo

Robert Bruce Macmurdo passed away Wednesday evening, Jan. 17, 2007. He was 57 years old. Bruce was born in Baton Rougeto Genevieve and Charles Macmurdo. He graduated fromBaton RougeHigh Schoolin 1967. He played on the 1966 Baton Rouge High basketball team that was undefeated until the last second of the state championship game against LaGrange. Bruce graduated fromYaleUniversityin 1971. He returned to Baton Rougewhere he assumed the position of the Baton Rougearea coordinator for the McGovern presidential campaign. Afterward he worked for the Governor's Office of Consumer Protection. He attendedLSULawSchool, where he was an editor of the LSU law review. He received his law degree in 1978, graduating with Order of the Coif honors. He then spent a year working with noted trial attorney Camille Gravel on the famous Otto Passman criminal trial. Bruce worked as an assistant attorney general for William Guste and shortly thereafter went into private practice with his Uncle Walker at Percy, Macmurdo and Eaton. For most of his legal career, he was the chief counsel for the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education. In 1984, he formed the law firm of Steffes and Macmurdo with William Steffes. In 2001, he began specializing in employment discrimination law and formed a new law firm with Connie Aucoin. Bruce was a very accomplished and highly respected trial attorney. He was a noted sportswriter for the local newspaper Gris-Gris. He was avid sports enthusiast and coached countless local youth basketball and baseball teams, mentoring many young people in the lessons of sports and life. Bruce was especially proud of the accomplishments of, and his friendship with, Jack Warner and Matt Parker. Bruce's support and love for his family and friends was limitless. In his law practice and in his life, Bruce was a relentless champion of the underdog and the underprivileged. He was well known for striking up conversations with practically everyone he met, and he was genuinely interested in people and their lives. He got to know people quickly, and enthusiastically pursued unconditional friendships. Bruce's dedication to conversation and story telling was legendary. Bruce is survived by his wife, Sandy; his daughter, Josie; two sons, Scott and Mark Macmurdo; his mother, Genevieve Macmurdo; his sister, Alice Macmurdo LeBlanc; and his brother, Carl. He was beloved by his family, friends, colleagues, countless members of the local community and a large contingent of Yale alumni. There will be a memorial service followed by a reception at the Unitarian Church of Baton Rouge at 8470 Goodwood Blvd., at 7 p.m.on Monday, Jan. 22. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Bruce Macmurdo Memorial Fund c/o theUnitarianChurch, 8470 Goodwood Blvd., Baton Rouge, LA70806.