Brian Frederick Wycoff

Brian Frederick Wycoff passed from this life on to his eternal home on October 23, 2017 in Frisco, Texas with his family at his side. Brian was born on November 21, 1961 to his parents, Ann Catherine Herberger Wycoff and Roger Edward Wycoff in East Patchogue, New York. Brian was the oldest of four children sharing his childhood with brother, Roger Edward Wycoff (2nd), and his sisters, Ann Marie Wycoff Bagshaw (3rd), and Lisel Margaret Gates (4th) growing up on Long Island, NY. Being the eldest, Brian was nicknamed “Brian the Lion”.

Family and friends recall Brian as being protective, stubborn, an over achiever, gregarious, affectionate, passionate about life, faithful, loving, sincere, genuine, kind, committed, focused, gentle giant and athletic. And above all, was the embodiment of “Duty, Honor, and Country”.

Brian, Ann Marie, Maryam and Lisel were at Fort Monmouth playing on a see-saw. Brian and Lisel were on one end while Ann Marie and Maryam were on the other side. Brian slid off the back of the see saw and tried to catch it. His end launched upward. When the opposite side rocketed up and came to a sudden stop, Lisel was launched into the air and got a compound fracture upon landing.

The Herberger Family came to the house for Christmas. The boys slept in the same room. William and Roger had the twin beds on either side of the room. Brian was on the floor in the middle. As they two boys threw a stuffed monkey over the top of Brian, he became aggravated (boys giggling, shadow crossing over the top while he attempted to sleep), Brian wrestled the monkey away to bring peace and sleep to the room.

Our father, Roger Wycoff, playing reveille at five in the morning when Brian came home to visit from West Point on his first weekend pass.

When Brian was young, our next door neighbor Laura got in trouble with her father. She ran down and hid in the dog kennel with our full grown Doberman pinscher. When Laura’s dad tried to get her out of the pen, Lorelei would not allow him or our father to remove her from the pen. Brian had to go in the pen and get Laura to leave the pen to go home. During that time, her father had time to calm down and appreciate the protective nature of the dog.

Brian and Lorelei would go to Hopatcong to visit our grandparents. When they would go to Tante Minnie’s house, our father would open the door and give Brian a head start to the docks. Before Brian could reach the docks, Lorelei would launch herself by him to reach the water first.

When Lorelei had her first litter of puppies (eyes closed – newborn), my parents gave her a special area. They realized they couldn’t find Brian. They worried about him going by the dog as she would be protective. Brian was switching the puppies from teat to teat to make sure every puppy was fed and full.

Brian was admired and looked up to by all his siblings. Anything Brian did, you could guarantee – we all wanted to do and we wanted to be as good as him. He is deeply beloved and while his physical presence will be missed, his spirit, love and example lives on forever in our hearts.

Brian graduated in 1978 from Stony Brook Preparatory on Long Island, New York. Brian’s heart was set on attending West Point. He needed one year to prepare himself, so he attended Stony Brook University for the first year. The subsequent year, he went to The United States Military Academy at West Point, New York. He graduated from USMA in May of 1984.

Brian served in the military for four years in the Armored Cavalry. Brian served in the military from graduation in May of 1984 until the Fall of 1988. He served just over four years in the Armored Cavalry out of Fort Bliss, Texas. Brian earned the respect of his soldiers. Once he got out of the military, he worked in the electronic circuit board industry as a quality assurance engineer. Brian moved through the industry and until 10/11/17 worked at Creation Technology as Quality Assurance Director. Brian worked in the electronic manufacturing industry for 29 years.

On weekends, Brian dearly loved to play golf with his wife Christina. Myriad pictures graced our phones with pictures of them enjoying the beautiful golf courses like Pebble Beach, Bethpage, and Torrey Pines. Brian’s most recent birthday gift from Christina was a golf cart with his USMA, Best of the Corps ’84 and USMA golf cart emblem emblazoned on the front and sides of the cart. Brian also dearly loved to swim, shoot weapons, travel, or go downhill skiing. He also loved watching football (Army, Washington College, Green Bay Packers, and Seattle Sea Hawks for Christina). He also enjoyed watching basketball (Boston Celtics), hockey (Montreal Canadians), and baseball (Dodgers).

When asked, Brian who say his favorite place to be was in their domicile was wrapped around Christina anywhere in the house with their cats. Brian had the house custom built- tailored with his wife in mind. The rooms are spacious creating an open feel allowing both their cultures to entwine and express their unity as a couple. Brian’s kitchen (he does all the cooking) is gourmet chef worthy and big enough to welcome all and sundry who decide to pop in for a delicious meal. They loved to sit outside and look at their backyard and lake behind the house.

Brian truly enjoyed taking trips:

• Germany – Brian loved to visit family and relatives in Germany. He grew up hearing stories of his ancestors – of places in Germany where history happened and our family participated. He loved the people, the culture, and exploring ancestral vineyards, bakeries, and houses that have been in our family for centuries.

• Green Bay Packer Bar in Texas. Christina and Brian would go to the Packer Bar in Dallas in Texas. Every time the Packers scored Christina would run up and down the bar giving everyone a high five. Brian’s face would light up with enjoyment so deep and profound that those that love him can envision.

• Traveling to Golf Courses for PGA Tournaments: Brian’s bucket list was to go to five major golf tournaments: U.S. Open (2008-Edward), The Masters (Augusta–2011– Christina and Edward), British Open, Ryder’s Cup, and PGA Championship. Brian’s dream was to someday play on the senior PGA tour.

Brian was an avid reader. Some of his favorite books included: Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, John Grisham, Web Griffin, Left Behind Series, and Winds of War. Favorite movies and television shows included Star Wars and Lord of the Rings.

Brian was raised Roman Catholic and remained Catholic his entire life. Since moving to Dallas, Brian and Christina were looking for a church to attend and become members. Brian and Christina both taught Sunday school and firmly believe that Christ is the center of their life. The morning Brian passed away, Lisel-Brian and Christina prayed and asked that God’s will be done, not theirs (although they would like to be consulted now and then😊). Brian and Christina always opened their home to friends and family with open arms and hospitality as depicted clearly in the Christian faith.

Outside of work, Brian participated in The Colony Community Patrol Academy, Manna’s Martial Arts, San Diego (10+ years), Torrey Pines Golf Men’s Association, American Swim Coach Association (Swim Coach), Local Animal Rescues Volunteer, Association of Graduates (West Point), United States Golf Association Member. Brian also enjoyed attending Renaissance Festivals, Oktoberfest and Weinachts Fest in Germany.

The Lu and Wycoff family joined Brian and Christina to celebrate their marriage on November 26, 2011 on Rancho Benardo Country Club (literally in their backyard). As they peered over the 18th green, they said their vows and determined to spend their lives together with the support of both family and cultural traditions.

Brian’s nieces and nephews were quite beloved. Brian could be counted on to take any of his nieces and nephews on long trips from New York to Florida or even to the local park. He adored his nieces and nephews and treated them as if they were his own.

Brian had his own favorite sayings: “Be patient, Sweetie. “

“The sun rises in the East and sets in the West, so follow the sun, sweetie and you won’t get lost.”

“I love you, Mama Lu.”

Brian was always waiting to greet people at his house: “Come on inside.”

Special memories/Stories (Christina and Brian):

The first time Brian and Christina actually met for a date, Christina arrived with a back up -escape plan in case the date didn’t go well Instead, not only did they have lunch, they shared dinner, movie, grocery shopping and Christina brought Brian home to meet the cats. They were inseparable since that moment.

Every Saturday, Brian would cook breakfast for Christina. He dearly loved to make various meals for Christina (homemade waffles, grilled cheese sandwiches, and potato hash are some examples). Brian truly enjoyed spoiling Christina and sharing his love by making her delicious meals.

Brian and Christina went to Taiwan to celebrate Papa Lu’s 80th birthday. Brian was so smart that he used his ability to learn Mandarin and communicate, that Christina’s entire family was extremely impressed. Brian embraced the culture and customs to include funky food. He even had $45 hair treatments on his bald head.

Brian was preceded in death and has joined his parents, Roger and Ann Wycoff; his grandparents, Frederick and Marguerite Herberger, and Edouard and Hilda Wycoff; his aunt and uncle, Allan and Doris Wycoff, and our beloved godmother (whom all the children collectively enjoyed) Marion Menielly; and grandpa and grandma Lu and his four legged babies.

Brian’s legacy will live on through Christina Lu-Wycoff – wife, Roger Edward Wycoff – brother, Ann Marie Wycoff Bagshaw-sister, Bill Bagshaw – brother, Lisel Margaret Gates – sister, Robert Gates – brother, Ken and Sherry Herberger – Uncle and Aunt, Charles and Sue Lu – Father and Mother-in-Law, Janet and Po Liu – Sister and Brother-in-Law, Tim and Anne Lu – Brother and Sister-in-Law, Brianna Bagshaw – niece, Lucas Gates – nephew, Syerra Wycoff Bagshaw-niece, Alex Gates-Nephew, Kelsey Liu – niece, Kyle Liu - nephew.

Brian would dearly love the following people to be recognized for their significant roles/impact in his life: John Cho and Ray Shellman – his roommates from West Point who are as dear to him as his own brothers. Brian Manna, from his martial arts studio in San Diego where Brian earned his third degree black belt and trained with him for ten years (mentor), Mama and Dad Lu – who are as close to Brian as if they were his biological parents. Uncle Ken – who is the male leader/role model in the Wycoff family who shares his Christian values and morals with all of his family.

Brian and Christina four legged babies: Lorelei, Skye (13 years), Fergus (7years), Sweet Pea (15 years), Pumpkin (actively going on 13 years), Tulip (actively going on 6 years – adopted on the day they met), Adam (daddy’s boy -actively going on 6 years).

Brian was loved while he was here with us on earth, and we will continue to love him through time and all eternity. He will be missed.

List Pallbearers:

Roger Wycoff

William Bagshaw

Robert Gates

Tim Lu

William Herberger

Ray Shellman