Craig Ritchie Brougher

Craig was a man of deep conviction whose life was firmly rooted in his love of God and his lifelong pursuit of truth. His faith was not simply something he professed; it shaped the way he lived, worked, raised his family, and understood his responsibilities to others. He was a devoted student of Scripture throughout his life and sought earnestly to live according to what he believed God had revealed through His Word.

Gifted with an extraordinary mind and the hands of a master craftsman, Craig combined his background in electrical engineering with a lifelong love of music, pianos, and mechanical instruments. He became highly respected for his work in piano restoration, intricate wood case repair and refinishing, and particularly for his expertise with pneumatic instruments and orchestrions. His crowning work, The Spirit of Independence (SOFI), brought together a lifetime of engineering, music, invention, composition, and craftsmanship.

Craig believed that anything worth doing was worth doing right. He carried that principle into his work, his faith, his friendships, and especially his family. Though not a particularly sentimental man, his love was unmistakably demonstrated through loyalty, provision, instruction, sacrifice, and the investment of his time and knowledge in those entrusted to him.

Craig is survived by his wife, Ellen Brougher; his children, Aric Brougher, John Brougher, and Carla Barber; Ellen’s children, Melinda Claycamp, Kirk Spradling, and Cheryl Teams; his sisters, Sara and D’Anne; 13 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

He leaves his family not only the remarkable things he built with his hands, but the greater legacy of a life spent seeking truth, practicing his faith, pursuing excellence in his craft, and accepting responsibility for those he loved.

Above all, Craig loved the Lord and lived with confidence in His promises. His family takes comfort in the same hope that guided him throughout his life.