Robert I. Brainard III, previously of Rumson, died instantly Feb. 4, 2024, in a shocking accident at his home in Boulder Creek, California, during the significant storms that evening.
Affectionately known as Bobby or Bob, he graduated from Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High Sschool in 1997 and Goddard College in 2002 and was awarded an honorary degree in sociology after a post-graduate residency at The Dublin House.
Bobby was loved by everyone who met him. A consummate musician with a flair for guitar, he could be found strumming with his buddies down at the Victory Park gazebo for hours in his youth. After his early years on the East Coast, he headed west with hope, energy and opportunity and found a fantastic life surrounded by an incredibly artistic, loving, caring and funny family community. Those East and West coast friendships, along with the deep bonds of his college friends, meant the world to him, of course, in addition to his fur babies.
He loved his job as a lab technician with SC Labs. After many years living in downtown Santa Cruz, California, he migrated up Route 9 into an enchanting home in Boulder Creek, surrounded by the majestic redwood forest.
Bobby was predeceased by his fur baby Sophie, his father Stephen R. Brainard and his mother Carol M. Brainard, this past fall. He was able to see them both before their deaths. When he traveled back East for their funerals, he saw and enjoyed every sibling, nephew, aunt, uncle, cousin and numerous friends. Little did they know it was his glorious “Farewell Tour” (in Grateful Dead fashion).
He is survived by his sisters, Maryann Baret (Scott), Lucy Brainard and Margaret Brainard-Bland (Peter); six nephews, Alex, Max, Nolan, Ryan, Sean and Richard; extended Brainard and McDonough clans; and a loving family of friends both on the West and East coasts. His fur baby, Mrs. Ears, has been adopted by his close friend. Although his shocking death is not readily accepted, his family finds solace in a tribute through his good friend Jonah’s words: “Cheers to you, Bobby! You got taken out by an ancient tree in a historic storm after an incredible life! I’m proud of you, buddy! And thank you for giving us a departure that’s not dark and sinister, which has been so the norm. Instead, an incredible tree that fought as hard as you to follow its own destiny wanted a partner in time for eternity. I will see you in every tree from now on!”
A short ceremony will be held at 11:30 a.m. March 17 at Victory Park, his favorite place on the East Coast, with a celebration of life afterward. Sláinte.
This article originally appeared in the February 29 – March 6, 2024 print edition of The Two River Times.
