Bernard Robert Brabant

Bernard R. Brabant, 93, of New Waverly, Texas, passed away January 24, 2020. He was born in Fall River, Massachusetts on October 28, 1926 to Adelbert and Mary Louise Taché Brabant. He was married to Frances Marie Laws Brabant for 68 years.

Affectionately known as “Bernie” to all who knew him, Dad was a WWII veteran, serving in the Navy on a submarine. After leaving the Navy, he began a career in aerospace engineering. He worked for Philco, which later became Ford Aerospace. He was sent to occupied Japan for 18 months to survey sites to install radar. While there, the Korean War broke out. He returned to the USA in April 1951. He and mom were married on April 14, 1951. His career as an engineer took him to upstate New York in 1951, then to Houston in 1965. He worked at NASA as a mission control flight engineer until 1985, when they retired to New Waverly, Texas. They spent their retirement years camping in their van, visiting all 50 states and all the Canadian provinces. In between travels, Dad worked in his workshop, designing and building furniture, toys and other household items. He also enjoyed building and flying model planes and kites. Everything he built was gifted to family and friends. He was a prolific reader and enjoyed doing his word puzzles. In addition, Dad loved fishing and hiking. He was also a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church.

His family was the most important part of his life. “Family comes first” was his motto and is his legacy to his family and friends (who were more like extended family).

He was preceded in death by his parents Adelbert Brabant and Mary Louise Taché Brabant Kuhn, and stepfather Nicholas Kuhn.

Bernie is survived by his loving wife Frances Marie Brabant; children Denise Hines, Christina Davis, Thomas Brabant, Elizabeth Bender, Melissa McCormick, and Kathleen Moore; grandchildren Katie, Whitney, Lauren, Robby, Carley, Julia, Amy, Nicky, and Alex; two great-grandchildren Austin and Taylor; his sister Bernadette Morton; niece Janet; and nephew David.

A Funeral service will begin at 10:30am on Friday, January 31, 2020 at St. Mary Catholic Church, 1612 E. Walker St., League City, Texas 77573. A Rite of Committal will follow at Forest Park East Cemetery, 21620 Gulf Freeway, Webster, Texas 77598.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to St. Jude’s Hospital.