Brian Browning
August 15, 2015
Brian Browning, 58, passed away August 15, 2015. Services will be held Thursday, August 20, 2015 at 6:00 p.m. at First Unitarian Church, 1800 Bell Avenue in Des Moines, IA with visitation prior from 4 - 6 p.m.
Brian was born on October 18, 1956 to Everett and Laurel Browning in Manhattan, KS. He spent his childhood in Las Cruces, NM and later in Peru, NE where he graduated from Auburn Senior High School. In 1979 he graduated from the University of Nebraska with a major in Anthropology and minors in History and English. Brian had a broad and interesting career path. He worked as a field archeologist, finish carpenter, cabinet-maker, stone mason, and worked with a variety of historical organizations. He moved to Iowa City in 1981 where he met his wife Mary Kay Reser. They moved to Des Moines in 1990. In 2006 he earned his MBA from Iowa State University. Brian was the Historic Preservation Tech at Terrace Hill during the Branstad and Vilsack administrations, and the Administrator during the Culver administration. He taught history classes at Simpson College and also served as the Assistant Director of the Iowa History Center at Simpson.
Above all, Brian was a great Dad. He was very involved with his children’s activities from the Roosevelt Theatre Department to supporting his son’s original card game. Brian was a thoughtful, perceptive intellect with a great curiosity and a unique sense of humor; he loved to talk but was never boring. Brian particularly liked pirates, parrots and puns - but never alliteration.
He will be greatly missed by his wife of 28 years, Mary Kay Reser; children, Amelia, Lillian, Sam and Madeline; his parents, Everett and Laurel Browning; his brother, Gene (Shiang) and their children Warren and Pajia; and the extended Reser family.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the family for distribution to Monsoon, among other charities. Condolences may be expressed online at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.
Carla Herling
08/18/2015
I feel so lucky to have had the pleasure of working with Brian at Terrace Hill. He was an amazing co-worker, boss and friend and a true mensch. My condolences. May his memory be a blessing.
Mary Kundrat
08/18/2015
Mary Kay, you have my caring thoughts and prayers for you and your family.
Michael O. Smith
08/18/2015
I was so sad to hear of Brian's passing. My condolenceses and sympathy to his family. I worked with Brian and always found him enthusiastic and knowledgeable. I shall miss the puns.
Becky Sue Johnson
08/18/2015
I was so sad to hear of Brian's passing. He was such a good and sage soul. So wise, compassionate, and kind. I saw him often at Uptown and always when walking my dog. I will miss our banter. I know he will be missed in our community.
John Zickefoose and Elvin McDonald
08/18/2015
We are deeply saddened to hear about Brian, and will always remember working with him through the years at Terrace Hill . Our thoughts and prayers are especially with you now.
Earl Short
08/18/2015
So sorry to hear of Brian's passing,,,He and his interest in Des Moines History will be missed by so many...
Earl Short
Des Moines Streetcar Friends
Kathy and Dave Dorff
08/18/2015
Mary Kay, our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Brian was one of the most personable and interesting persons we've ever had the pleasure to meet, and his dedication to his family, friends, and community was well-known. His passing is very sad indeed.
Steve Chatelain
08/18/2015
My heart goes out to Brian's family, to Gene, and to Laurel and Everett. While we've not been in close contact in recent years, I'll always treasure my friendship with Brian. We enjoyed some memorable times during our high school years ... band and speech trips, watching the early, classic years of Saturday Night Live at McKercher's, imitating (poorly) Monty Python sketches, and hiking the mountains of Philmont. Those were great times. Our high school class is getting together for our 40th reunion in a few weeks. I was hoping to reconnect with Brian there. While that won't happen now, be assured that those who gather will fondly reminisce about a friend and classmate we all looked up to for his intelligence, wit and gentleness. We'll miss him.
Teri Thinnes
08/18/2015
Prayers to you and your family. Bill and I so admired Brian. What a great person! So witty, funny, intelligent..... He was so proud of his family and the wonderful life he shared with all of you. We were blessed to be his friend. RIP
John Grinstead
08/18/2015
I always looked forward to catching up with Brian at UU coffee hour. He was so funny, interesting and so genuine. He will be greatly missed. Our most sincere condolences.
Kay Hamann Steiner
08/18/2015
My thoughts and prayers are with you. Brian was a wonderful guy. He will be missed by all of us. I was looking forward to catching up with him and everyone else at our class reunion. Forever in our memories. God bless.
Pete Sixbey
08/17/2015
Brian and I took numerous trips to Chicago with paintings to be conserved by Barry Bauman over the last 10 years. We all became very good friends over dinner at usually a good Indian restaurant. I will greatly miss my good friend Brian. Prayers to his family.
Gordon Huls
08/17/2015
We will miss your unique views and humor from high school. God's blessings to your family, you will be missed
Shannon Payne
08/17/2015
I am so sorry for your loss. Your family is in my thoughts and prayers during this time. My sympathies to you Mary Kay and your children.
Greg and Kim Berger
08/17/2015
Our heartfelt sympathies to all of Brian's family. Even though we hadn't seen Brian in many years, we will miss him. He was a great high school friend.