Montague , MA – Bruce Aune professor emeritus of philosophy at UMass Amherst left our family unexpectedly on January 22, 2026. His philosophical work was as wide ranging as were his many interests and passions. He was devoted to his family, friends, and students. He loved the quiet life of a professor, and in retirement he enjoyed his country home in Montague, building more bookshelves for his always growing library, spending many hours in his comfortable study, making wine, cooking, and developing his gardens.
All lives begin somewhere…Bruce was born in 1933 to Doris and Arthur Aune at the height of the Great Depression in Minneapolis MN. He was the eldest of 5 children (siblings Ronald, Patricia, Marion and David). Life was difficult, so he learned early on the necessity for self-control and self-discipline which served him well throughout his life. He received his M.A. and his Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota. He held positions at Oberlin and the University of Pittsburgh before coming to the University of Massachusetts Amherst in 1966 as Head of the Philosophy Department at the age of 32. Although he had visiting appointments at other institutions, he remained at UMass until his retirement in 2001. A prolific scholar, Bruce authored many articles in various aspects of philosophical thought and many respected books on metaphysics, epistemology, and ethics, and was the recipient of a Guggenheim Fellowship and the University Chancellor’s Medal. He leaves behind many students whom he mentored over the years. They treasure his kindness, caring, gentleness, generosity, and intellect. He applied the philosophy he studied to his own life as well, always questioning and reasoning, using ethics as a guide to his own moral code. He was invariably kind and thoughtful.
Beyond philosophy, Bruce was an athlete. In high school he was a highly ranked breaststroke champion, having developed a new more efficient technique for the stroke. He was also an omnivorous reader, grammar maven, devoted student of ancient Greek, competent carpenter, decent winemaker, excellent cook, and enthusiastic Master Gardener well known for his Hosta which numbered over 150 cultivars.
Bruce leaves behind his wife Anne, his three daughters Alison (husband Jon Hinkel, children Leif, Kjell, and Linnea), Patty, and Kirsten (children Forestasia and Sky), one great grandchild Rowan (Leif and Nikki Collette) and his brother David Aune. He was preceded in death by his first wife Ilene (Carlson) Aune, parents Doris and Art Aune, brother Ronald Aune, and sisters Patricia Bonander and Marion Conroy.
The complete obituary can be found at www.douglassfuneral.com
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