Obituaries

Brian was born on March 8^th, 1937 in Batavia, Illinois. He passed away on December 10^th, 2018 at Tower Hill Healthcare Center at age 81 after a prolonged period of declining health. Brian grew up near Mooseheart and graduated valedictorian of his senior class from Mooseheart High School. Brian was a 2-way starter for the Mooseheart Red Raiders football team, playing center and linebacker for the 1950’s powerhouse. The team that would ride trains cross-country to find worthy opponents, was so good, they were featured in one of the earliest editions of Sports Illustrated magazine. After high school, Brian started college at the University of Colorado Boulder, then transferred to Art Center school in Pasadena, California to study the emerging field of Industrial Design. After college, he married Susan Patricia Detry in 1960, and they built their home together in St. Charles, IL. They lived in their home for 50 years before moving to Greenfields of Geneva. After college, Brian worked for several small design firms before landing at Motorola for 15 years, and then Jensen International for 10 more years before retiring. Brian primarily designed stereos, speakers, CB radios and other electronics, but he also freelanced, designing everything from speedboats to Pepsi cola packaging. One particularly well-designed and profitable product was the Point Master joystick that worked with the Atari game console. Brian received several patents for his designs. Brian served honorably in the Marine Corps reserves for 6 years with his cousin and life-long friend, Bruce Ostdick. Brian enjoyed traveling, some of his best trips were to Ireland, Germany, Scotland and domestically, to Colorado. Brian loved his family, especially his 5 children: Michael, Molly, Patrick, Matthew, and Mark. He once even said, “I should have had 10 kids”, to which his children said, “You’re crazy.”. Like his wife Susan, a teacher, Brian valued education. With his children it was never, “Are you going to college?”, it was always, “Where are you going to college?”. With Brian and Susan’s help, all five children would graduate from college. Brian was gregarious and outgoing with a great sense of humor. He was also a faithful Catholic and member of St. Patrick Church in St. Charles, IL. Brian enjoyed watching war movies and reading biographies. He also enjoyed reading Popular Science and Popular Mechanics magazines. Brian is missed by all who knew and loved him. He is survived by his children and eight grandchildren and was survived by his wife of 58 years. Upon his death, Brian donated his body for scientific study.

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