Rich_Brett_23 June 1921
Brett Rich passed away on June 13, 2009 in Dallas, Texas with his family by his side. Brett was born on June 23, 1921 in Nashville, Tennessee and would have just celebrated his 88 birthday. He was winning a four year battle against renal cell cancer when he fell and broke his hip on June 1, 2009. He recovered well from his hip replacement surgery and was outshining the younger patients in the rehabilitation facility. Sadly, some unexpected complications resulted in the sudden loss of a strong, gracious and much-loved husband, father and grandfather.
Brett attended Vanderbilt University before serving in the United States Army Air Corps during World War 11 as an aerial navigator, bombardier and radar observer. He returned to Vanderbilt University after the war to earn his degree in Chemical Engineering. Brett enjoyed a diverse and successful career including positions as Director of Research for Purex Corporation and President of Borg-Warner Pipe Division, as well as senior management roles with Oneida General American Bubble, and most recently the Department of Defense.
In 1971, Brett and his wife, Donna, moved their family to Malad, Idaho. He deeply enjoyed his more than 30 years in Malad, where he was active in the American Legion and the community, and took every opportunity to enjoy the outdoors in the beautiful Malad Valley. With years of hard work and dedication behind him, Brett embraced retirement in 1995.
His insatiable appetite for adventure, travel and excitement led Brett to travel extensively with a compass and map always in hand, including memorable trips to Europe, Mexico and Africa. He never stopped learning or trying something new, even bungee jumping and hang-gliding in his 70’s and forever honing his Spanish skills. He always looked for adventure, whether earning top honors as a skier in NASTAR races, volunteering at Yellowstone National Park, or exploring new places and experiencing every mode of local transportation.
With an empty nest, and a desire to be closer to family, Brett and Donna moved to Dallas, Texas in 2002. There, they enthusiastically embraced the challenge of helping with their twin grandchildren, and enjoyed frequent visits with all their grandchildren. These years were among the most joyful of Brett’s life.
His family and friends will dearly miss Brett’s sense of humor, his endless stories, his laugh, his quest to live life to the fullest and most importantly, his love. Brett’s family was blessed with many happy, healthy and memorable years with a truly great man.
Brett is survived by his wife of 42 years, Donna Jean Rich; brother, James William Rich of Tulsa, Oklahoma; daughter, Lynda Kathryn Jones of Laguna Niguel, California; son, James Brett Rich of Glen Carbon, Illinois; son, Jason Alexander (Kimberly) Rich, of Dallas, Texas; step-son, Richard Laurie (Kimberly) Mertz, Jr. of Pfluggerville, Texas; step-daughter, Diane Marie Adalo of Lansing, Michigan; step-son, David Michael Adado of Zephyr Hills, Florida; ten grandchildren; Tara Lynn Jones, Shirlee Kay Jones, Lisa Jennine Mertz, Michael Cameron Mertz, Lauren Marie Mertz, Elizabeth Renee Rich, Caroline Anne Rich, Andrew Brett Rich, Benjamin Paul Rich, and Nicole Dee (Troy) Hoose, and one great-granddaughter, Kylie Lee Hoose.
A memorial service was held at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, June 22 at the Wildwood Chapel at Restlawn Cemetery in Dallas, Texas. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Brett to the Mary Crowley Cancer Research Centers at www.marycrowley.org or via telephone at (214) 658-1954