The entire Disney community has lost a man who shined the light not only on the magic of the Disney Theme Parks, but on the talents of the Disney Imagineers.

I remember hearing how Disney let Bruce go around 2005.  It was certainly a loss for Imagineering.  However, Bruce still wrote the books on the Disney theme parks.  Now we have lost him entirely.

I was first "introduced" to Bruce at the online chat sessions he and David Mumford used to do. What a blast those were, and I still can't believe that Disney let these unscripted events take place.

I met Bruce Gordon when I worked over at Corporate.  He truly was someone who loved Disney.  He sat next to Tony Baxter and the two would talk about new creations all the time.  If some folks felt he was gruff, I felt he was a kind and dedicated person who knew what folks wanted and how ideas could come to reality.

Folks like him don't come around often.  He always fought with management and the accountants and knew what would produce for Disney:  a quality product laced with creativity.

He will most definitely be missed.

Truly tragic news. I met with Bruce Gordon, along with Walt's daughter, Diane Disney Miller only last week as we talked about plans for the Walt Disney Family Museum. I looked forward to working with Bruce on this fascinating project.

We have no guarantees in life, I guess. Who would think that we would lose Bruce at such a young age? However, for all of us who shared his love of Walt's magic factory, Bruce Gordon will be remembered for his many contributions to the Disney legacy.

Has the cause been mentioned?  Just curious.  

Last time I saw Bruce was down in the Westside Diner during my lunch break...time period was construction of Pooh at Disneyland...got to join up for a chat during my "30 minute feeding time"...as usual his jovial self at that point...but, that was a few years ago.

As I am seeing 53 this year (a few weeks, in fact) this hits home all that much more.  54 is far, far too young.  

Take care of your health, folks.  I hate hearing about people checking out when they should be holding on.

Bruce, you'll be missed.

I agree with Skipperwest.  Jim, when somebody goes way too young at 54, everyone wants to know what happened.  It seemed like a gap in an otherwise wonderful tribute you wrote.

Sue in Texas

What a terrible shame. I'm sorry to say I never had the opportunity to speak to Bruce so see him outside of a few NFFC and Disney events, but I always looked forward to seeing what he had to say.

Bruce was the person who reminded me that you can't hold on to the Disney park attractions of the past so tightly that you miss out on new opportunities for excitement and adventure (or as he more succicintly put it, "Disneyland is not a museum").  He was the kind of person that could point out that even "cloned" attractions have a uniqueness that make them all worth experiencing. He was careful never to let the cat out of the Imagineering bag (well, okay, he might let it slip out for a second or two when he was pretty sure nobody was looking), but no NDA was going to keep him from letting people know what he thought.

I'm glad he has a legacy of attractions and books to continue to speak for his passion for Disney, and I hope the work that he'd already done for the Walt Disney Family Museum will serve as a good foundation for the final product.  Rest in peace, Bruce.  

I met him once when he was working on Splash Mountain.  He was very kind and took the time to talk to me about what was going on with the ride.  He was just a very nice man.  It's really a very sad thing to lose someone at such an early age.

I never had the honor to meet Mr. Gordon, and it sounds like that was my loss indeed. Thankfully many of us do know him through the numerous marks he left on the parks and his other Disney-related efforts. He will be missed.

My thoughts go with him and his family. God Bless.

Jesus & Walt must have needed him for that park they're building.

I had the privilege to meet Bruce Gordon in 1997 during a visit at WDI. Tony Baxter introduced me to Bruce Gordon, who had his office right next to Mr. Baxter, to show him my portfolio.

I remember Bruce Gordon as a very funny man, he was kind in his words about my portfolio and he talked about his book “The Nickel Tour”, which, being from Germany, I did not know. All of a sudden Mr. Gordon opened a big box and gave me a brand new sealed copy of “The Nickel Tour” with the words that it would be difficult to get overseas anyway. I was so speechless and blown away, I did not think of asking him to sign it for me.

I always thought I would ask him next time...

A very generous man. He will be missed.

My prayers go out to his family.  It is sad to lose someone as great as Bruce Gordon.  

Jim,

Thank you for this wonderful tribute.  I think your words have captured Bruce perfectly.  How he will be missed.

However as I have said on other sites, we can all walk around the Disney Parks with a good feeling in our hearts because we truly knew some of the special magic Bruce created for everyone to enjoy.  

Thanks to sites like this and opportunities to meet the "Makers of the Magic" at NFFC and other events, the Disney Parks are not simply "Theme Parks", but a place built from love, passion and magic, all instilled by Walt Disney.  Thank goodness we still have some folks who remember what Walt wanted in his Park.

I'll just bet Walt, Bruce and David are having some great talks right now!

Bruce, we will miss you, and we all thank you for your wonderful contributions and your passion and love of things Disney.  You will not be forgotten.

I printed out your article and will keep it with one of Bruce's books.

His memory will always be alive through the parks that he helped make so great.

When I was a kid, I wrote him a letter about one of the articles he'd written for "Starlog" magazine discussing the time-travel logistics of the "Back to the Future" series.  He was nice enough to write back, answering all my questions about time travel and getting a job as an Imagineer.  What a guy.  He'll be missed.

captainhook91, first, it's Bruce. He would never respond to "Mr Gordon". It's too bad that you, and many others who would have enjoyed meeting him, didn't get the chance.

He was an engaging, charismatic and amiable character who was more than happy to chat up anything Disney or Apple.

We have lost a true creative, upbeat and cheerful friend.

Bruce will be missed.  People like him make Disneyland (and the world) a better place for all of us!

"The cause of death has yet to be determined,"  according to the obits that google turned up.

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