Robert Bruce Green

Robert Bruce Green (Bruce), was born in Sallisaw, Oklahoma on January 27, 1934 to J. Fred Green and Beulah May Walters. He died on August 22, 2017 in Muskogee, OK where he lived for 56 years, he was 83. He married Barbara Summers on August 10, 1956 and they had three children; Catherine Green-Sinnard, Gilbert Scott Green (deceased), and Robert Bruce Green, Jr. Bruce graduated from Sallisaw High School in 1952. He attended Northeastern State College in Tahlequah, and then Law School at the University of Oklahoma, where he graduated in 1957. After law school he and Barbara moved to Sallisaw where he practiced law with his father and older brother. Bruce was in the Army Reserves for six years including six months on active duty in 1957. In July 1961, Bruce was appointed Assistant United States Attorney in the Eastern District of Oklahoma. His family moved to Muskogee and he continued in that capacity until 1965 when he was appointed United States Attorney by President Johnson. He continued until 1969, when he went into private practice. While in private practice he served on the Oklahoma Judicial Nominating Committee, the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority, and President of the Muskogee County Bar Association. In 1990 Bruce went back to work in the United States Attorney’s Office and served as an Assistant until 1998 when he was appointed United States Attorney by President Clinton, thus making him both the youngest (age 28), and the oldest (age 66) to have served the country as a U.S. Attorney. He served on the Attorney General’s Committee on Native American Affairs and the Committee on Forfeitures. Bruce retired from the practice of law in 2000. Bruce was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Muskogee, where he served as a Deacon, and an Elder on the Session. He felt God’s love was a source of spiritual nourishment, and studied the bible daily. His favorite quote was, “An exalted view of God brings a clear view of sin and a realistic view of self. A diminished view of God brings a reduced concern for sin and an inflated view of self.” Bruce had a reputation as a great legal mind. He was also a good friend who was always ready to tell a story, bring on a smile, or pull a harmless prank. He was a committed advocate of civil rights, and the intrinsic value of all people. He was a great lover of poetry, and an observer of nature; especially the Oklahoma wildlife refuges. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife Barbara after 56 years of marriage, their first son Gilbert, and his older brother Fred D. “Jack”. He is survived by his children Catherine Green-Sinnard and husband Kirk, and son Robert Bruce Green Jr. He was fortunate to have a large and loving family, nephew Mark Green, nieces Amy Green, and Barbara Ann Lange and their families were always a source of support and strength for him, as was his great uncle Gilbert “Bos” Green and wife Reba. Included in his family was his lifelong brother in friendship (and sometimes mischief) Jack Keeling and wife Virginia. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Muskogee Presbyterian Church, or to the Nature Conservancy District as a memorial/tribute donation (email notification to his family is cagreen1@comcast.net).

Robert Bruce Green

January 27, 1934 - August 22, 2017