Russell Bruce Prince

Dr. Russell Bruce Prince, 84, of Atlanta, Georgia, passed away March 23, 2023, at Piedmont Hospital surrounded by his family after a battle with a brief illness. He was born in Union, South Carolina, to Russell and Ruth Prince on August 11, 1938. He grew up working on the family farm and loved animals, especially his prize-winning cow, Bessie. He attended Cross Anchor High School (class of 1954), where he acted as class president and was a member of the basketball team.
He attended Presbyterian College in Clinton, South Carolina, where he completed pre-medical studies, the ROTC program, and graduated with honors (class of 1959). A few years later, he married Joyce Stevens Prince, his wife of 62 years (married June 4, 1960). He continued his studies at the Medical University of Charleston, South Carolina (class of 1963), Emory University Medical Internship (1963-1964), Emory University Psychiatric Residence (1966- 1969), and completed his psychoanalytic training at Columbia University (class of 1978).
During the Vietnam War, Bruce served as a Captain Doctor attending to wounded soldiers and civilians (1965-1966). He earned the Bronze Star for his bravery, heroism, and dedication to serving his country. When Bruce returned from war, his heroism did not end on the battlefield. In 1969, he opened his own psychiatric private practice in northeast Atlanta, Georgia and continued serving his patients through 2023. He loved his patients and created a deep personal connection with each and every one. Patients remember Dr. Prince as kind, devoted, thoughtful, and quick-witted.
Bruce was a masterful storyteller and loved sharing his wit and wisdom with family and friends. He took pride in consuming great stories and telling even better ones. Bruce had many heroes himself in literature and music including Winston Churchill, Robert Frost, and Willie Nelson. Bruce was known for his collection of stories and poetry and had the ability to light up the room when he spoke. He saw the beauty in storytelling and the power it had to connect us to one another. In addition to entertaining others with his stories, he also enjoyed playing golf at Cherokee Country Club and Sea Island, where he and his family vacationed for many years.
Bruce was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. He is survived by his loving wife, Joyce Prince; children, Jefferson Prince, and his wife, Jane Prince, of Hamilton, Massachusetts and Benjamin Prince, of Atlanta, Georgia; grandchildren: Jake Prince, and his wife, Tori Prince, Sophie Prince, and her significant other, Phil Kobus, and Jackson McLaughlin; as well as beloved family and dear friends.
Family and friends are welcome to attend a celebration of life, which will be held at a future date. In honor of Bruce’s memory, a donation can be made to the charity of your choice or a poem can be read in tribute to his love of literature and poetry.
Dear Jeff, and Jane,,
Heartfelt condolences to you and your family on your father s passing. An amazing husband,,father, grandfather,, , soldier., physician, ,citizen and humanist. A legacy of love and learning for all who knew him.
Dear Jeff and Jane,
I am so sorry to hear of the passing of your father
Prayer and sympathy to you and your family.
Joyce- So sorry to hear of Dr Prince passing. I remember him as a warm and kind man.
So very sorry to hear of Dr. Prince passing. He was a kind and patient man.
Dr Dave Davis: what a great fellow and swell psychiatrist. Not a bad golfer either. Always loved his attitude
Dr. Prince helped me for many years. I was so fortunate to benefit from his incredible and unique skills and personality.. We always ended with a poem, quote, or something about my dog and laughter.
I miss Dr. Prince.
My deepest sympathy to his family.
Rest. You have helped so many
Dr. Prince had been my doctor for many years after moving here from KY. I found him after being in Atlanta for about six years. I got married had my son and moved to St. Thomas Virgin Islands after I got married and had my son. After four bad years I filed for divorce and moved back to Atlanta with my son that was turning four. I called Dr. Price office to see about an appointment and his receptionist told me he was not talking new patients, and I explained I’m not new but I moved away. Dr Price took me back. I became disabled and was denied disability., but because of Dr, Prince letter he wrote about my condition and position as a project accountant that I would never be able to perform that job again I return home to Kentucky and because of that I got my disability. I owe so much to Dr Prince is 5:46 in the morning and I was thinking about moving back to Atlanta and I thought I want my doctor back was so sad. I figured he had retired after all these years but I was so sad to see that he had just died last year my heart goes out to his family was a wonderful wonderful man and doctor and I know the way he treated me. He helped thousands of people over his lifetime. I know I owe my life to him.