Robert Roy Brand

Robert Roy “Butch” Brand passed away peacefully on May 15, 2025, with family at his side. He was 88. A life-long resident of Bellingham, Rob was born on January 25, 1937 to James Robert Brand and Clara Elizabeth Brand (Tweit).

Rob’s childhood was spent on Mason Street and he delighted in sharing the stories of neighborhood baseball games. He attended Campus Elementary School on the grounds of then-Western Washington State College, Fairhaven Junior High, and graduated with the class of 1955 from Bellingham High School. After two years as a proud Sigma-Nu fraternity member at the UW, he finished his degree (and later a Master of Education) at Western. A career teacher, educator, and administrator, he started his elementary teaching career in Oak Harbor for four years, then returned to Bellingham where he retired after nearly 30 years in the school district. First teaching at Carl Cozier and Silver Beach, he was then a principal at (the old) Roosevelt, Parkview, Sunnyland, (the new) Roosevelt, and finished at Lowell.

In 1960, Rob married Karen Gray of Bellingham, and their kids had a wonderful childhood being raised on Williams Street in Bellingham. These were the fun days of the 60’s and 70’s, spent coaching youth baseball, family trips to Orcas Island, and spending holidays with the Grays, Tweits, and Phibbs.

In 1992, Rob married Charlotte Owens (Jansen) of Bellingham, and they were married until she preceded him in death in 2018. These days were marked by fun retirement travel with dear friends, and being the best Grandpa/Papa.

In retirement, Rob continued his commitment to education as an adjunct professor at Western in the Woodring College of Education, helping and mentoring aspiring students studying to be elementary teachers. He loved his work and stopped only when his health forced him to – at age 83. His dedication and commitment to the Western students was so strong that Western created and named a scholarship for students in his honor – the ‘Rob Brand Elementary Education Scholarship’.

Rob was a life-long sports fan, and particularly of the Seattle teams. His favorite sport to watch was high school basketball, and he could be seen for years watching the local games. His memory was legendary, not only of the minute details of key sporting events, but of randomly meeting adults in public and instantly remembering that they were a 3rd grade student of his 30 years prior (and he could name the school, what type of student he/she was, and their parents names).

He is survived by children Lynda Roy (Ted) and Greg Brand from his first marriage, and step-children Nicole Cook (Bruce & Olivia), Michael Owens, and John Owens from his second marriage; and grandchildren Teddy Roy (Meghan), Will Roy, Carly Brand, Brynn Montezeri (Ryan), Kodie Talley (Jeff), Grace Talley, Michael Owens Jr, Mia Owens, and Adelle Owens. He was preceded in death by his sister Andra Lee Phibbs.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the above-mentioned ‘Rob Brand Elementary Education Scholarship’ at https://alumniq.wwu.edu/giving/to/RobBrandScholarship to help continue to honor his legacy of preparing our new teachers for the next generation; or to the Whatcom Hospice House at https://whatcomhospice.org/donate-online/.

The family would like to send a very special thanks to the wonderful and caring people and teams at the Whatcom Hospice House, Summit Assisted Living, Mt Baker Care Center, The Willows Retirement Living, and PeaceHealth. Their care and concern for our dad made the end of his long journey easier.

We would also like to sincerely thank Dad’s dear friends Rodger and Carolyn Teig, and Chuck Ayers. We are grateful for their many years of support and love to Dad.

A service of remembrance will be held later this summer in Bellingham, with details to be announced soon.

Rest in Peace Dad/Butch/Grandpa/Papa. Thank you for a life well lived of educating, teaching, and mentoring.