Bruce Nye, a founder of Make Oakland Better Now! (MOBN), has passed away. Bruce shaped MOBN’s goals and activities, building connections with community leaders, elected officials, and other non-profits through meetings for “coffee” and more formal collaborations. Despite any setbacks, he always stayed positive and looked for ways to move forward. Through MOBN, Bruce encouraged community involvement and supported members’ personal and professional growth. He created an open atmosphere where everyone’s opinion was valued and sought out different viewpoints. As one Oakland city administrator said “Bruce was such a lovely person to collaborate with. His passion for good government was constant and his friendly demeanor allowed him to raise difficult issues and make critical observations in a manner that made them easy to swallow and hard to deny”. His passion for politics and positive attitude helped MOBN achieve many things, including enacting legislation, creating community forums and turning citizens’ love for Oakland into positive results.
Libby Schaaf, the 50th Mayor of Oakland says:
“Bruce was one of the smartest policy advocates I’ve ever known. He was a master of both politics and policy, and he played a critical role in crafting many policies and ballot measures, particularly measures to bring a comprehensive approach to public safety, always without public recognition. He lured me into Make Oakland Better Now when I was a young Council aide and inspired me with his optimism. He played an influential role in my decision to first seek elected office in 2010. In recognition of his broad knowledge, he was appointed to Oakland’s Budget Advisory Commission. Bruce was a quiet hero of Oakland. Few know just how profound his contributions were to our civic fabric and governance. I will miss him deeply”. – Libby Schaaf,
The following is his obituary:
Bruce Nye
06/14/1951 – 06/04/2025
Bruce lived most of his life in Oakland, CA. He met the love of his life, Risa (née Elkind) in 8th grade at Portola Junior High in El Cerrito, and they became a couple in their senior year of high school. They married in 1973, after he graduated from UC Berkeley. He earned his J.D. at UC College of the Law, San Francisco, and had a successful 44-year law career.
Bruce and Risa raised three children and delighted in their six grandchildren. He was happiest when the house was filled with the family’s witty banter and raucous laughter.
Bruce’s passions included baseball, politics, jazz, photography, and travel. He was a founding member of Make Oakland Better Now!, loved attending jazz shows at Yoshi’s, and became an avid wildlife photographer. He traveled extensively to Europe, Asia, Africa, and Antarctica.
Bruce was robbed of many joys by frontotemporal dementia, but would light up when family visited. He is remembered for his sharp intellect, humor, love for family, and his buoyantly positive outlook.
He is survived by Risa; his children, Caitlin (Christian), Myles (Laurel), and James (Ashley-Renée); and their children, Ollie (17), Fenton (13), Ezra (11), Sam (10), Asher (7), and Violet (6); sisters, Bonnie Schoch and Clare (Shappee) Dygert; and brother, Chris. In his honor, please consider donating to the Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration, or Rotary Club of Oakland #3.
Published by San Francisco Chronicle on Jun. 14, 2025.
A very good man. I have fond memories of MOBN going back to about 2010. The group has done a lot of good in this town.
MOBIN In bed with the city
Abandoned any sence of fiscal responsibility
Bruce Nye was the epitome of a good public citizen. I enjoyed speaking with him and debating Oakland’s challenges with him. Would that Oakland had a 1000 like him, the City would be a much better place.
Condolences from all of us in the Russo family. Rest in Peace, Bruce.