Roger E. Brannian

Roger Brannian of Ankeny, IA, died of Multiple System Atrophy 2/3/17, surrounded by his family, at Iowa Methodist Hospital in Des Moines. He was born 3/13/47 in Grinnell, IA. Roger grew up on his family’s farm in Brooklyn and graduated from BGM High School. He received his doctorate in veterinary medicine at Iowa State University, as well as a master’s degree in Zoological and Wildlife Medicine at the University of Minnesota. He maintained a board certification from the American College of Zoological Medicine.

Roger worked at several small animal practices in Minneapolis/ St. Paul before taking a job as the head veterinarian at the Kansas City Zoo, where he met his wife, Deborah Faddis. He was in that position for 12 years and developed a love of exotic plants and animals that lasted a lifetime. Most recently Roger became trained as a veterinary pathologist and was Veterinary Medical Officer for the USDA in Ames, IA.

Besides his family, Roger’s great love was the natural world, both plants and animals. He took several trips to the Amazon, Costa Rica, and Africa to observe and photograph the wildlife. He has owned many reptiles over the years, a dog named Murphy, and has been the special human for one of the family cats, Halley. He has also been a proud member of the Central Iowa Orchid Society and the Mid-Iowa Cactus & Succulent Society. Roger loved books about nature and was a lifelong scholar of natural science. He also loved music, and played piano and guitar.

Roger was preceded in death by his parents, Maynard and Hazel Brannian. He is survived by his wife of over 30 years, Deborah, his son, Austin, brother John (Anita Kealey-Brannian) of Sioux Falls, SD, sister Laurel Brannian Seely of Moberly, MO, nephews Ben and Tom Brannian of Kansas City, and their mother, Janet Brannian Day. Roger also leaves a host of friends, former co-workers and extended family from across the country.

A Memorial Celebration is scheduled for 11:30 a.m., February 18, at the Des Moines Botanical Garden, 909 Robert D. Ray Drive, Des Moines, Iowa.

In lieu of flowers, Roger’s family would recommend donations to the Animal Rescue League of Des Moines.

Condolences may be expressed at:
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com

Print