Bruce Alan Courtright
Yreka, California
Bruce Alan Courtright, a founding member of NWA, was a longtime federal leader, consultant, and wildfire advocate whose career spanned military service, senior roles in the U.S. Forest Service, and later work in leadership training, conflict resolution, and community-based fire policy. Remembered for his optimism, intelligence, humor, and mentorship, he dedicated his later years to protecting national forests, reducing catastrophic wildfire risk, and improving communication between fire agencies and communities.
Biography
Bruce Alan Courtright was born in Glenridge, NJ on February 24, 1939 and died in Yreka, California on May 10, 2023 after a long fight with a bone marrow disease.
Despite this, he was always cheerful, optimistic, funny, brain and street smart, caring and considerate. He never complained, despite being in pain the last 10 years of his life. He was energetic and a great communicator, and knew how to make a complex idea understandable for everyone. He mentored generations of Forest Service leaders and employees. He could go to sleep in a few minutes, snoring like a champ. He loved to eat and hang out with friends, read voraciously, mostly thrillers. His nickname as a child was “Nature Boy.” He started birdwatching at a young age, and loved to hike, fish and canoe.
Bruce had a long career in federal service, including 4 years in the Air Force Strategic Air Command, U.S. Forest Service HR Manager on 3 National Forests, Regional Training Officer in Atlanta, Georgia, and Chief of Management Improvement for the Forest Service Washington Office.
He was well known nationwide for leadership training and facilitating positive organizational change. After Bruce retired from the Forest Service in 1985, he moved to Siskiyou County, California where he married Catherine Barash. He formed a national consulting group focused on leadership training, conflict resolution and strategic planning. Bruce continued this work until 2010 when he became chair of a consortium of local Fire Safe Councils and founded the National Wildfire Institute.
Saving our national forests for future generations and reducing the risk of catastrophic wildfire was his passion. He was also instrumental in developing a process for including community liaisons during large wildfire suppression campaigns.
Bruce and Catherine lived nearly 30 years near Fort Jones, California on the edge of the Marble Mountain Wilderness. He is survived by Catherine, his 2 daughters, Susan and Tammy, 3 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild.
A Celebration of Life will be held on June 17, 2023 from 11:00 am – 3:00 pm at Lower Greenhorn Park in Yreka, California. girdnerfuneralchapel.com
https://www.siskiyoudaily.com/obituaries/pyrk0498051