Robert Brownell

Robert (Rob) Burton Brownell Jr., 62, left this earthly plane on February 22, 2025 after bravely battling ALS for almost eight years (although he would deny bravery). He is survived by his devoted wife Helen Maher Brownell of Decatur, GA and two children, Conor Brewer Brownell of San Francisco, CA and Bridget Maher Brownell of New York, NY. He is the son of Robert Burton Brownell Sr. and Claudia Strite Brownell. He has two sisters, Susan Elaine Brownell of St. Louis, MO and Lynda (Lyn) Brownell Brus of The Woodlands, TX.

Rob grew up in Lexington, VA and attended the University of Virginia (UVA), earning a 1983 BS and 1985 MS, both in mechanical engineering. He began his 35-year product design career in Boston, before moving to California and ultimately becoming a Vice President at Function Engineering. He is named on many patents ranging from toys to medical devices.

Rob met Helen, a fellow UVA alum, at a July 4th barbeque while living in the San Francisco Bay Area. They married in 1994 at the UVA chapel. Rob was always very close with his family. Symbolic of Rob's relationship with his sisters, his older sister, Susan, served as his Best Person in his wedding, and he walked his younger sister, Lyn, down the aisle when she married.

From their beginning, Rob and Helen loved to travel and attend concerts together, including many Grateful Dead shows. In 1999, Rob, Helen, and Conor moved to Decatur, GA, where Bridget was born one year later. Rob then opened and led Function Engineering's first satellite office, where his legacy endures in the many engineers he mentored throughout his 25 years at the company.

Rob was a creative force and his interests often became hobbies. He built his first of many banjos at age 16 so he could teach himself to play clawhammer style, a passion he continued throughout life. While at UVA, he began studying Uechi Ryu karate, eventually earning 2 black belts and amazing his children with cool tricks. He learned to windsurf while living in Boston, and later designed and built windsurfing boards for himself and friends. He spent many afternoons and weekends on the San Francisco Bay, a renowned windsurfing destination.

Rob was forever a Renaissance man, finding joy in learning new pursuits including (but certainly not limited to) woodworking, cooking, home renovations, photography, and beer brewing. Perhaps his greatest legacy is as a father. His unwavering involvement in Conor and Bridget's lives instilled a strong sense of curiosity that will continue to guide them through life.

Following his 2017 ALS diagnosis, Rob pursued his life-long interest in writing. He self-published two books: Invention Is a Mother and Care Give or Take. The novels' comic absurdity captures his relentless wit and ability to find humor in difficult situations. He found much joy in writing and spending time with family in his final years.

In Rob's honor, please consider a donation to Team Gleason, a foundation focused on empowering people with ALS to live full lives, at https://teamgleason.app.neoncrm.com/forms/donate