Franz "Jo" Josef Brueck

Dr. Franz Josef “Jo” Brueck, Ph.D., 69, passed away peacefully at his Dog River home in Theodore, Alabama, on June 20, 2026, surrounded by his loving wife, children, grandchildren, and caregivers after a courageous 20-year battle with Parkinson’s disease.

A husband, father, grandfather, uncle, brother, engineer, and friend, Jo lived a life defined by faith, perseverance, and family. Nothing brought him greater pride than the family he built with Sonja and later on their grandchildren.

Born on August 28, 1956, in Düren, Germany, Jo was the youngest of three children born to Karl Heinz Brück and Gertrud Katarina Brück. He spent the first 35 years of his life in Germany before relocating with his family to Mobile, Alabama, in 1992.

While Jo remained proud of his German heritage and maintained close ties abroad, he fully embraced life in the American South. Over the years, he became a proud Alabamian who developed a deep love for Alabama football, country music, and the community he called home. Though his accent never disappeared, Alabama became home in every sense of the word.

Jo earned both a Master's degree and Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from RWTH Aachen University and later completed a Master's degree in Project Management from George Washington University, reflecting his lifelong commitment to learning.

During his 36-year career with Evonik, Jo earned the respect of colleagues for his technical expertise and leadership. He ultimately served as Director of Engineering for Evonik’s Mobile operations, where he oversaw and supported engineering projects around the world. His ability to combine technical expertise with thoughtful leadership left a lasting impact on the organization and the many professionals he mentored throughout his career.

Life on Dog River brought Jo great happiness and unforgettable memories with his family and friends. The family home was far more than a house—it was one of his proudest accomplishments and a lasting expression of his love for his family. When he wasn’t working at Evonik, he was often working on the house, always planning the next improvement or tackling a project. Through the years, he poured countless hours and trips to Lowe’s into creating a home where family and friends could gather and make memories together.

The house became especially cherished as the setting for annual Fourth of July celebrations filled with laughter, good food, fireworks, and family. For his children and grandchildren, Dog River will forever be associated with Opi’s warmth and hospitality.

Jo was also a passionate traveler who believed some of life’s greatest joys came from exploring the world. He created cherished memories with his family through adventures around the world.

An avid athlete throughout much of his life, Jo embraced physical challenges. Prior to his Parkinson’s diagnosis, he was an enthusiastic runner, skier, tennis player, and cyclist. Whether training for a race, spending time on the slopes, competing on the tennis court, or enjoying a long bike ride, he approached every endeavor with discipline, determination, and an adventurous spirit.

For more than 20 years, Jo faced Parkinson’s disease with remarkable strength and resilience. Refusing to let the disease define him, he continued to seek out challenges. While completing a marathon had been among his proud accomplishments before his diagnosis, some of his most remarkable accomplishments came afterward. Together with his son, Alexander, he backpacked through the Appalachian Mountains, hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon, climbed Uncompahgre Peak in Colorado, and, in his later years when those physical challenges were no longer possible, drove across the country from Denver to Mobile, making memories along the way, including a stop at the Gateway Arch in St. Louis. Each of these journeys pushed him to his limits. They were often demanding for both father and son, but they became some of their most treasured memories together and reflected the determination and perseverance that defined his life.

Jo was also a proud member of the “Bad Dudes” boxing group through Rock Steady Boxing at Saad Healthcare, where he found camaraderie, encouragement, and the determination to keep fighting.

Faith was a cornerstone of Jo’s life. He and Sonja were devoted members of St. Ignatius Catholic Church, where they found a supportive community throughout life’s joys and challenges.

Jo will be remembered for his intelligence and unique perspective on life. While often serious by nature, he had a way of making people laugh through unexpected observations, unusual conclusions, and comments that were entirely his own. Many cherished family stories began with something Jo said that no one else would have thought to say.

Jo’s devotion to Alabama football was well known. His love for the Crimson Tide became family folklore when, during the construction of the family swimming pool, he seriously proposed placing a large Alabama logo on the bottom. Fortunately, Sonja was able to talk him out of it.

He also delighted in life’s simple pleasures. He had a well-known sweet tooth and a fondness for licorice, Haribo gummies, and ice cream. Among his many firmly held beliefs was one that became legendary within the family: that a Big Mac was a cure for any sort of upset stomach. It was just one of the many quirks that made him so memorable and beloved.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Gerda Brück and Karl Heinz Brück. He is survived by his wife, Sonja Gisela Brueck of Mobile, Alabama; his daughter, Anne Brueck Franzen, and her husband, Corey Gerald Franzen, of Cumming, Georgia, and their children, Allie Elizabeth Franzen, Henry Luke Franzen, and Luke William Franzen; his daughter, Kerstin Brueck of Fairhope, Alabama; his son, Alexander Brueck, and his wife, Emily Alexander Brueck, of Golden, Colorado, and their children, Robert Franz Josef Brueck and Meredith Alexander Brueck; and his sisters, Gisela Goebbels and Brigitte Brück, both of Germany.

The family would also like to express their heartfelt gratitude to his devoted caregivers, Liz Ramey, Rhea Donovan, Dana Marston, and Jana Pringle, who became like members of the family and provided compassionate care, comfort, and companionship throughout his journey.

Those who knew Jo will remember his sharp intellect, resilience, and unmistakable way of seeing the world. Whether cheering on Alabama football, enjoying life on Dog River, traveling with family, or offering one of his observations, he brought warmth and authenticity to those around him.

His life was defined by faith, perseverance, a strong work ethic, and family. While he will be deeply missed, the lessons he taught, the memories he created, and the example he set will continue to live on through all who knew and loved him.

May he rest in peace.

The family will receive friends from 5:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M. on Wednesday, July 1, 2026 at Ascension Funeral Home with the Rosary at 7:00 P.M. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 A.M. on Thursday, July 2, 2026 at St. Ignatius Catholic Church. Interment will be in Mobile Memorial Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to the Parkinson’s Foundation or St. Ignatius Catholic Church.

Arrangements are by Ascension Funeral Home, 1016 Hillcrest Road, Mobile, Alabama 36695.