In Memoriam: Bruce Carmichael, Shaped Different Parts of Campus in Administrative Posts

Bruce F. Carmichael, the deputy dean for academic administration in the School of Engineering & Applied Science (SEAS), died suddenly on Feb. 1. He was 63 years old.

Carmichael had served in his current post since 2008. He had previously served for five years as associate provost for science and technology.

A graduate of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, where he earned Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Architecture degrees, Carmichael earned his master’s degree in architecture from the University of Michigan. He worked for several firms and was a founding partner in Atelier Associates in Cheshire, Connecticut. His interest in health facilities led him to learn more intimately what was involved in patient care, and he completed an M.S.N. degree at Yale in 1982. He was the head nurse on the ­cardiothoracic/ear, nose and throat unit at Yale-New Haven Hospital (Y-NHH).

Carmichael later joined Y-NHH’s Facilities Planning Department and then took a position in Facilities Planning and Operations at the School of Medicine, becoming the executive director of the department. Among other assignments, he led the staff and consultant team for The Anlyan Research Center through the planning and design phases.

During this time, he continued his formal education, earning a master’s degree in public administration and a science doctorate — focusing on management of complex organizations — at the University of New Haven. He later became the deputy dean for administration at the School of Nursing before joining the Provost’s Office, first as assistant provost and then as associate provost.

“Bruce Carmichael has touched and influenced so many different parts of the University, raising each one to operate at a higher level, in all respects,” says T. Kyle Vanderlick, SEAS dean. “He enjoyed ‘building organizations,’ and although he worked in Engineering for only one short year, his designs will set the course for our school for many years to come.”

Carmichael has also taught introductory anatomy and physiology seminars and graduate business strategy courses, and lectured on organizational behavior and change. He served on many Yale committees, including those concerned with the University budget, biological safety, labor negotiation, capital projects renewal and business services. He was a fellow at Berkeley College.

Interested in his Scottish heritage, Carmichael played in the Upper Guernseytown Pipe Band. He was also an avid sailor. He was a 32nd degree Scottish Rite Mason and member of the New Haven Hiram #1 lodge. He served on the board of directors of Masonicare.

Carmichael is survived by his wife, Linda Degutis, associate professor of emergency medicine and public health and director of the Yale Center for Public Health Preparedness; his son, Ryan B. Carmichael, and his wife Mari, of Cliffside Park, New Jersey; his mother, Betty Porzenheim Cary of Avon, Connecticut; his sister, Sandi Car­michael, and her husband John Faulise of Westerly, Rhode Island; his brother Todd Carmichael of Evanston, Illinois, and nephews Ian and David Carmichael. He was predeceased by his father, Thomas Car­michael, and his mother’s former husband, Dr. James Cary.

Contributions in Carmichael’s memory can be made to Yale in care of Harley Pretty, Yale School of Engineering and Applied Science, P.O. Box 208267, New Haven, CT 06520-8267l; or to the Masonic Charity Foundation (Masonicare Annual Appeal), care of the Masonic Charity Foundation of Connecticut, P.O. Box 70, Wallingford, CT 06492.