Remembering Richard Bruce McLaughlin, 1940-2024

| Obituaries | West Seattle news

Family and friends are remembering Bruce McLaughlin and sharing this remembrance with his community:

Richard Bruce McLaughlin, known as Bruce, passed away on October 10, 2024, at the age of 83. Born on November 19, 1940, in Seattle, Bruce was a lifelong resident of Seattle, where he died peacefully.

As a child and young man, Bruce spent many summers and weekends at the family home on Manzanita Beach, Vashon.

Bruce attended The University of Washington, where he studied Communications. He worked at and later owned The Junction Feed and Seed in West Seattle.

Bruce enjoyed camping, photography, cooking, and sailing, and could talk with anyone about almost anything.

A longtime volunteer at ArtsWest Theater, Bruce built sets, helped maintain the premises and was active in the acquisition of its current home in the West Seattle Junction.

Bruce is preceded in death by his wife, Carol McLaughlin, and survived by his “little brother” Bart McLaughlin, daughter Kathy McLaughlin, son-in-law Mark Tagge, and grandson Patrick McLaughlin. He will be missed by his family and all who knew him.

We ask that those who wish to make memorial donations to please give to ArtsWest Theater in West Seattle.

Bruce’s tribute wall is on the Emmick Family Funeral Home website, here.

(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries and memorial announcements by request, free of charge. Please email the text, and a photo if available, to westseattleblog@gmail.com)

Sillygoose November 11, 2024 (11:52 am)

It’s heartbreaking to read about so many of West Seattle pillars passing. Bruce was so much fun whenever I would visit the feed store. I loved the smell of the alfalfa and would inhale deeply upon entering. He would laugh and say ” you need to get back on a farm”! RIP Bruce knowing you made a difference.

Kathy McLaughlin November 12, 2024 (7:27 pm)

Thanks for sharing! The Feed Store had a great smell.

ACG November 11, 2024 (11:59 am)

My condolences to Bruce’s family and friends. I’m so sorry for your loss.

Kathy McLaughlin November 12, 2024 (7:28 pm)

Thank you.

Rodger Bloom November 11, 2024 (6:22 pm)

Bruce was a 1958 graduate of West Seattle High School and met regularly at a monthly breakfast with fellow classmates from the class of ’58. A good friend always, he will be missed by all his ” Breakfast Buddies”.

Kathy McLaughlin November 12, 2024 (7:29 pm)

I’m so glad one of Dad’s “Breakfast Buddies” saw this. He really enjoyed getting together with all of you.

Gary A Coy November 12, 2024 (6:16 am)

Bart was a grade ahead of me at Genesee Hill Elementary James Madison Jr High and West Seattle High School. I remember Bart as an outstanding drummer. I send my condolences to him on the passing of his brother 🙏 💔

Kathy McLaughlin November 20, 2024 (10:42 pm)

Thank you for sharing. I’ll pass along your message to Bart in case he doesn’t see this.

Suzanne November 26, 2024 (1:06 am)

Dear Kathy,
I was so sorry to hear about your father’s passing. I met him at Junction Feed and Seed in the 1990’s. At first I stopped in only when I needed millet for my birds but soon would come by just to say hello. I loved hearing his stories about growing up in WS when he was young. He was a fantastic storyteller. He always made me feel welcome and helped me start to get to know some of the recent history of our community. His Feed and Seed store was a favorite gathering place for so many of us.

After a few years your dad told me that your mom had been dealing with an aggressive cancer. He loved her so much. I am so very grateful to have had them here together at our annual summer parties that we host for our favorite neighbors. Bruce continued to come to our parties after losing your mom, and always brought his phenomenal smoked salmon to our vegetarian potlucks. And I, who eat a vegan diet, would load my plate up with his salmon for my once a year heavenly indulgence.

The first year after losing your mom, he came to our party and lingered at the end, waiting for most of the people to leave. He then gave me her exquisite great blue heron necklace, telling me that she had asked him to give it to me because of my 30-year efforts to saving the great blue heron colony in Renton.

It was deeply touching and thoughtful of both of them to give me this gift, which I will always treasure. It hangs in the center of my home.

In September I met Jean M., now 94, who he would sit next to at Arts West. She and I were going to call Bruce to say hello. Both of us were so sad to see this news about your dad, and very grateful for the time we had with both of your parents.

Your parents were the best of the best of our WS community. I know this loss must be very hard for you. Know that your parents will forever be woven into the fabric that makes West Seattle special.
Sincerely, Suzanne K.

Kathy McLaughlin November 27, 2024 (6:30 pm)

Thank you so much for sharing! Dad spoke of the annual gatherings, and of your indulgence in his smoked salmon. I knew he gave you the necklace, and am so happy to hear it was so well received.

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