Gregory N. Brand, 62, of Durango, CO, formerly of Racine, Wisconsin passed away at Seasons Hospice-Ignite, in Oak Creek, WI on Sunday, January 24, 2021. Greg was born in Racine on June 7, 1958, the son of George W. and Grace (nee: Kmiecik) Brand.
Greg was educated in the Racine Unified School District. Greg graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Engineering. After graduating from the University Greg spent some time in Alaska before moving to Colorado. It was there that he met his wife Staci 24 years ago. He was offered a great promotion four months after they met. They married, under the Blue Moon at the Tamarron Lodge, on May 30, 1999. They moved to Durango to live and raise their children. Greg fought hard against the Stage IV cancer that took him, he beat it for 3 years and 8 months. That time was valuable to him and his family.
Greg was the District Engineer in charge of Water Quality for the State of Colorado. He also owned and operated Brand Engineering LLC. He was a lifelong supporter of the Kiwanis Club in honor of his father, George W. Brand who was a longtime Kiwanian.
Greg enjoyed many of his work colleagues so much that he considered many not only friends but family. He protected our waterways in many counties in the Southwest and in the City of Durango. He earned commendations from 2 Colorado governors for his work on the front range. In Durango, as the Head of the Environmental Health Division at the San Juan Basin Health Department, he took care of more localized waterways up until the time of the Gold King Mine Spill. The Board of Health acknowledged his generosity of having given $100,000 worth of his Engineering work and time to complete the Columbine Building's construction project so that San Juan Basin Health could own its home. Greg owned and operated Brand Engineering, LLC, on Main until he became disabled.
Greg also very much valued the Durango community that helped him and Staci raise their children here. The teachers, principals (Mr. Harter), aides, directors, and coaches that mentored their children are forever appreciated.
Greg loved the beauty of the mountains and he enjoyed camping with his great friends.
Greg was a proud owner and fan of the Green Bay Packers.
Surviving are his wife of 21 years, Staci; their children, Madeline Sophia "Mady" Brand (20 years old), and Isabella "Billie" Sabrina Brand (17 years old); the family dogs, Buster, L.D. (L'il Dude), and Lucy; all of Durango, CO; mother, Grace Brand, of Racine; sister, Gail (Victor) Bartik, of Aspen, CO; brothers, Geoff (Halleh Seyson) Brand, of Washington, D.C.; and Garry (Kim) Brand, of Craig, AK; niece, Holly Brand; and nephew, Will Brand; aunt, Priscilla; uncle, Pete Weissenfluh, and their daughter Claire, of Milwaukee; and uncle, Dr. Joseph Kmiecik, of Columbus, GA; mother-in-law, Bonnie Gibson, of Denver, CO, and Las Vegas, NV; father-in-law, Melvin Gibson, of Phoenix, AZ; brother-in-law, Jon Houston Gibson, and his daughter Amanda, both of Denver; cousins; other relatives, and friends.
He was preceded in death by his children, Hope April, Faith Louise, James "Jake" Wyatt, and Christy Samantha, and his father, George W. Brand; aunt, Amy Kmiecek, aunt and uncle Florence and Jack Breckenridge; his mother-in-law, Betti Gibson; and dogs, Nikima, Tasha, and Bailey.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Merely Players of Durango, CO,
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, the Association for Frontotemporal Lobe Dementia, Animas High School of Durango, CO. Greg was a longtime supporter of the Police, their fraternities, families, and causes.