Brannon Mensing

Norman Brannon Mensing passed away peacefully on June 6, 2017 after a protracted illness. He was surrounded by family, friends, and caregivers who had supported him for months on end. He was 70 years old.

Brannon was born on December 6, 1946 in Birmingham, Alabama, to parents Norman Harvey and Beverly Brannon Mensing. Shortly after he was born, the family moved to West Germany where his father, Norman, was stationed. As a child, he and his sister, “Chip”, both learned German and experienced post-war Europe firsthand. Upon returning to Alabama, they settled in his mother’s hometown of Homewood on the south side of Birmingham. Brannon was active in Scouting, sports, and participated in many science and math clubs. He also became a registered HAM radio operator before graduating from Shades Valley High School in 1964.

After high school, he attended the University of Alabama—Roll Tide(!)—and graduated with a Bachelors of Science in Mineral Engineering in 1969. At university, Brannon met his first wife, Jane Hughes, and they were married in Sheffield, Alabama. After graduation, Brannon worked for Shell Oil, which took him back and forth between Houston and New Orleans. While in New Orleans, in 1974 Brannon and Jane welcomed their first child, David. The following year the family moved to Ramsey, New Jersey, for a new job with Chemical Bank in New York. In 1977, they welcomed their second child, Michael.

Brannon and Jane moved back to Houston in 1978 and made their home on the west side near Dairy Ashford and Memorial Drive. Brannon earned an Executive MBA from the University of Houston in 1983. They were early members of Emmanuel Episcopal Church and attended services at the church’s temporary space at Meadow Wood Elementary School before the sanctuary was built where it stands today. He was active in church life regularly serving as an usher, yeoman, and in the vestry. Brannon was also active in Scouting where he served as a Webelos den leader, Cubmaster, and Troop Committee Chairman. At Chemical Bank and later at Société Générale, he worked as a Project Finance advisor for which he traveled extensively throughout Europe, Asia, and the Americas. He was very passionate about his work and enjoyed immensely the challenges of financing infrastructure projects ranging from bridges, toll roads, dams, refineries, ports, and many others. Working in project finance allowed Brannon the opportunity to utilize both his technical and financial skills, from engineering to financial analysis. In the 1990s, Brannon proudly worked to send both sons to college, with one attending his alma mater, the University of Alabama. In 1997, Brannon’s first wife Jane Hughes passed away.

While not a typical sports fan, Brannon did love watching the Astros and Rockets, but equally enjoyed board games, poker, and cribbage. Throughout his life, Brannon loved playing golf beginning with his father and continuing the tradition with his children and friends. Without question, Brannon’s greatest sports love was watching Alabama every Fall and yelling “Roll Tide”!

In 1999, Brannon found love again and married Kathleen Allen at Emmanuel Episcopal Church. With his marriage to Kathleen, Brannon became stepfather to Donald, Julie, and Chris, which found him helping to raise three more children. Brannon loved having a large, blended family and helped all of them as they attended school, began careers, married, and started families of their own. Brannon was always there for each of them, no matter what, and loved having everyone together at their home in Houston.

With Kathleen, they renovated her family beach house in Galveston, to withstand the occasional Gulf hurricane; and spent many enjoyable weekends on the island fishing, reading, swimming, boating, and entertaining guests. Most of all, the renovation gave him a treasured opportunity that fulfilled one of his personal engineering passions—in that he could be involved with all sorts of technical projects involving tractors, trucks, air conditioners, plumbing, electricity, construction, fencing, and appliances. In Houston, Brannon and Kathleen loved to entertain and socialize with their friends at home, church, and work. An active philanthropist, Brannon gave generously to a number of different causes, including: Cancer Research, PBS, KUHF, Houston Masterworks Chorus, Houston Choral Society, and the Episcopal Church. In particular, Brannon was very proud of his contributions to the Endowment Fund and a scholarship that he founded at Emmanuel Episcopal.

Brannon continued to work at Société Générale before retiring in 2002. At the urging of his colleagues, Brannon returned from retirement twice: first, for Municipal Energy Resources Corp (2004-2008); and second, for Crédit Agricole (2008-2014). Over the years, Brannon was frequently called upon by his colleagues and friends for advice and professional expertise which prolonged his career and rewarded him with ongoing challenging projects. In recognition of Brannon’s project finance expertise, Brannon was requested to speak at numerous professional engagements and industry conferences around the world.

Brannon and Kathleen loved to travel and had many memorable trips to Paris, Russia, and China as well as other journeys to Rome, London, Venice, California, Alaska, Las Vegas, and New York. A patron of the Arts, Brannon and Kathleen attended, contributed, and were members of many of Houston’s cultural icons: including the Symphony, Ballet, Opera, Theater Under the Stars (TUTS), and in particular loved musicals--both in Houston and New York. Additionally, he loved watching Kathleen sing with the Emmanuel choir, the Houston Masterworks Chorus, and with numerous other groups.

Brannon will be remembered as a loving husband, brother, father, grandfather, uncle, and friend to all who knew him as exceptionally kind, thoughtful, loyal, compassionate, and humorous. Although, those closest to him will also remember him as a tireless, selfless caregiver, and fixer who constantly craved a back scratch—for that ITCHY spot he could just never reach. He was always there for everyone in his family, regardless of whether they were tied to him by birth, marriage, or acquaintance. He treated us all preciously and left us with a lifetime of cherished memories for which he will always be our hero, the greatest dad, ever-teasing brother, and sweetest husband ever.

Brannon was preceded in death by his parents, Norman and Beverly; and his wife, Jane.

Brannon is survived by his wife Kathleen Allen Mensing, his sister Beverly “Chip” Gallman, and his children: David Mensing, Michael Mensing, Donald Allen, Juliana Allen Glass, and Christopher Allen. Along with numerous nephews and nieces, Brannon is also survived by 10 grandchildren: Wilson, Addison, Shawn, Ella, Carolina, Dean, Leo, Ian, Samuel, and Colton—all of whom affectionately called him “Pop”.

Love from all his family and friends…

Brannon was the most romantic, kind, generous, and sweetest husband anyone could wish for. He loved to tease and had a wicked sense of humor, but was also a hopeless romantic who would insist on dancing whenever our song would play. He was always happy especially in the morning even when I was not and would have gratefully enjoyed a few more minutes of peaceful sleep. He was my rock, my foundation, and gave me everything. I tried to give him back everything he gave to me, but he could always one up me… His generous spirit reminded me of my grandmother and how she would always give her time, money, and effort without complaint. He loved taking care of others. However, while his love for people was certainly forefront, he also cared deeply (despite verbal protests to the contrary) for his numerous pets such as Red, Opus, Batman, Alfred, Nutty, Lucy, and Henri. I will miss him forever.

Kathleen Mensing

My brother was one of a kind. He was full of ideas on how to fix something or how to make things better, whether it be a project or an act of kindness for another person. He was creative, generous, loving, committed, and compassionate. He was a mover and a shaker in gentle ways. He loved well, and he was loved well. The mischievous twinkle in his eye revealed his delight in a good joke or in seeing something that he had done had brought joy to someone. A family man, a businessman, a traveler, and a churchman begin to describe a life well-lived. He always had my back and I had his. My brave hero was a wonderful brother. The world is a little less bright without him.

Chip Gallman

My father lived a wonderful, rewarding life. It’s impossible to capture with words the immense, selfless love he gave to all during his life. With my mother, he was a constant devoted, caregiver which I never fully recognized or truly appreciated until after she passed away. But that love and devotion was not limited to just her. He continued to give to throughout his life to his parents, aunts, uncles, cousins, children, nieces, nephews, friends, but also especially to my stepmother and stepsiblings. He was such a wonderful part of everyone’s lives and his impact will be felt among us forever.

David Mensing

My Dad had a way of making everyone feel special and truly cared for each of his children in a unique way regardless of whether they were a few minutes away or states away. He was always available to answer a question, solve a problem, or provide advice.

Michael Mensing

I've met very few truly fair men in my life; I've met maybe a handful of truly generous men. Brannon was one of the latter; very few people can open their hearts and arms to people like Brannon did. He was a role model that all good husbands and fathers should strive for. He was a light on this earth, and he will be missed.

Donald Allen

My (all of ours) hero, considerate, loving, kind, loyal, funny, adventurous, world traveler, gave great advice, knowledgeable, friendly to all, generous, caring, thoughtful, ITCHY, greatest Dad ever. And Practically Perfect in Every Way.

Juliana Glass

Honorable, Peacemaker, comforting, and unwaveringly loving, a true leader and teacher.

Christopher Allen