Mr. Motter was a great principal. He always looked out for me. I am so sorry for your loss. I am praying for the family. He is in heaven now.  where he belongs. I can’t explain how good he was to me in school. At Hilbert and Redford Union. I love this man. Just a really good person. 
Jeffrey Wickowski

He was indeed an amazing man. I am one of the many students whose lives that he touched. I happened have the good fortune of meeting him when he worked in Detroit as an educator to my brothers. Then he was principal of my junior high in Redford and then went on to be my principal in high school at Redford Union. He really cared and made his students feel special. My condolences to his family.

Mr Motter was an amazing educator. He was the principal at Redford Union when I attended in the 90s. I was having a rough time in life and he seen it. He always made me smile and made me feel like less of a burden in life. At the time my mom was given just weeks to live and was diagnosed with many tumors covering her brain. My dad never told the school what was going on in my life, He was so wrapped up with what was going on with my mom. And her potential loss that my school or me was the last thing on his mind. 

Mr. Motter noticed that I was in trouble. He nicknamed me sunshine, I use it in one of my email handles to this day. And I never forget to smile because I don’t know what another person may be going through. He touched so many lives as an educator. He will be missed by so many.

My last conversation w/ Mr. Motter.😔👐🤟🫶

I’m happy that things in your life are VERY GOOD & HAPPY as well sir.  I remember things back to the Hilbert JH days.  But my favorite was when Mrs. Shelly was smacking me next to the lockers about 15 feet for Mr.  Mattingly’’s class.  We then were in your office and you asked if I wanted to press/file charges against her???   It took a few moments until I said “no sir, not necessary.”  The time between you asking the question and my answer was me doing everything (like bitting my tongue which it actually bleed and at the same time, I was pinching the side of my  right leg) because if I was going to answer right away, well it would have been straight laughter.  I was walking to class with Mr. Mike Feroroiti, and that’s when Mrs. Shelly pulled me aside.  Mike walked into the classroom and noticed I wasn’t with him. Came back out of the classroom and just started out saying “Twink, just go down, seriously go done and cover you head”.   He was also using his hands top to bottom trying to get me to hit the floor!!!   I’ll never forgot that day as like I said, I was doing everything not to just burst out in laughter as I couldn’t believe I didn’t lose it with laughing and Mike F. Plus you trying to hold it in as we left your office.  I’m laughing so hard right now as what “Priceless” TRULY MEANS.😂🤣

Dear Laverne, Judy and I were saddened to hear of your husband Brian's passing. You and your family are in our heartfelt prayers. Much Love. Judy & Walt

To His family and his friends. I knew Mr. Mother when I went to Redford Union High School. He was an amazing principal and a wonderful person we like him very much and always took care of us kids he knew my family well. We send our deepest sympathy and our deepest prayers and our condolences to his family and his friends and many many more rest in peace sir and thank you for being so kind and caring when you were our principal at the schools.

Mr. Motter Otter as I so lovingly called him was an amazing man. Elena and I used to refer to him as the yellow m&m from the commercials, due to similarities; however, he truly  was the yellow m&m. He was sweet, a little nutty, gentle, and loved by all. He will always be fondly remember for making everyone smile and laugh, he treated you like his own kid. We will miss you dearly sir. My heart goes out to Lavern, Elena, and the rest of his friends and family during this challenging transition. Much love,
Stephanie Ladd (Ladd-Bad)

R.i.P Mr. Motter, Thank you for never giving up on a troubled kid from the 90s

Wow, as one of my U of D High buddies wrote last year, too many leaving us too soon. Remember how Brian and his team mates mangled our HS Basketball team too often,

RIP

My condolences to the Motter family. I had Mr Motter for a principal for a short time in 7th grade then again 9-12th grade at R U. He really got to know each kid there. He was a terrific educator. Rip Mr Motter
Sarah Robbins Prada

Dear Mr.Motter,
  Thank you for always having a smile on your face and a sense to make  people feel welcomed. You were  more than a principle, you were a friend to a lot of us! I was lucky to have had you for six years from Hilbert to R.U.  Thank you for coming to all the soccer games!! You will always be remembered and loved! GO R.U.!!

 Leslie Pokorny '95

Brian, will surely be missed. Brian was always kind, and was a wonderful Principal.He was always in the halls and the students loved him.  Brian, gave  me my start as a new teacher at Hilbert. I was then transferred to RUHS. I loved RU. When Brian became Superintendent, he gave me another chance at Administration. I will always be grateful for him and the role he played in my life. Rest in peace, Brian.

Mr. Mother will be missed. He always had our back at Hilbert Rip Mr. Motter

Brian Motter was the best of men.  He told me that he always needed to get his "kid fix."  He loved all of the students in his building.  He was the best principal I've ever seen.  Heartfelt condolences to his family.

I was lucky enough to have Mr. Motter as my principal through both Junior High and High school. He always took the time to talk and know me. I’m sure I gave him a few more gray hairs throughout those years and he never treated me any differently. RIP Mr. Motter. Love, Moe.

Reading the condolences, its  clear that I wasn’t the only student he made feel SEEN. His smile was infectious and made it impossible for me to not smile when encouraged to do so by him. Never to be forgotten. Forever in his students hearts. ❤️

Mr. Motter was one of a kind. When I first started school at Hilbert, he was the first person I met with and knew my story and what had brought me there. He checked on me on a regular basis, asking me how I was and if I was coping ok. He then became the principal at RU and every time he saw me he would smile and ask how I was and let me know that he was always there if I needed anything. He had a way of making you feel safe and that everything would be ok. His kindness towards me during my darkest times has resonated with me throughout my entire life. He touched so many lives during his time here on Earth. Heaven gained one of the best I've ever known.

I have so many great memories working with Brian. He was a mentor and a fun leader who always did what was best for kids. He was passionate  as principal and superintendent at Redford Union Schools. I’m forever grateful for his support of me in my journey of my career. He always talked about how much he loved his family. Such an honorable man I am blessed to have known him. Rest in peace Brian. You will be missed!

Mr. Motter was an incredible educator and man who genuinely cared for and supported his students. He was a dear friend to my family and will be missed terribly. 
Rest in peace Mr Motter.

I’m sending love and prayers for your family.

Brian hired me in 1989 as a teacher at Hilbert Junior High School. He was an amazing leader. He knew every student’s name as well as details of all our lives! I remember his long lanky walk down the hallways and his contagious laugh. He touched so many lives! 
May he rest in peace. 
Sending my heartfelt condolences! 
❤️

I was fortunate enough to have Mr. Mother as my principal in junior high and high school. He was an amazing influence during my teen years, and alway had a smile and a hug when I returned to RUHS for various events after graduation. All my sympathy and prayers to his family in remembering an incredible man.

Mr Motter was a friend to all. This world, and
 all of the students he crossed paths with in his many years as an educator are better people because of him. I can’t remember a time in my years at Hilbert or at RU in which he didn’t have a smile on his face. 

Sending peace and comfort to his family. Rest in peace, sir. You’ll be missed. 

Class of 1997

He had a calm about him. He always smiled. I can’t imagine being in the positions he was in professionally but, he was made for it. He had a profound impact on many, many lives. He will definitely never be forgotten. I was very lucky to have had him in a point in my life that was so important.

He was such A great man always nice and greeted you with a big smile he was my middle school and high school principal he was  A friend to me I will miss him dearly

Mr. Motter was the best principal. He had the most welcoming demeanor and smile. You knew he cared for every single student when he would take the time to greet and get to really know you and others in the hallways of RUHS. More than kind.. he was an exceptional human. My condolences to his friends and family. May he rest in God's eternal peace. -Mindy Buss(Strong) 2001 RUHS grad

To the Motter family,
My daughters attended Hilbert Middle School and Redford Union High School while Mr Motter was the assistant Principal  and Principal.  He was a wonderful mentor to all the children .  My girls really loved him.  He was caring to all the children. I thank you for sharing him with all the students.  
Prayers and hugs to you all.
Ruth Love

This saddens me so much! Mr. Motter was an amazing principle at Hilbert and then I was lucky enough to have him again at RU. He took the time to really get to know his students on a personal level and showed he truly cared. He even knew how I ate my pizza and joke about it every time he seen me lol. He was an all around great human and will never be forgotten.

Mr Motter was simply the best.  I was fortunate to have Mr Motter as a principal for 6 years at both Hilbert Jr High and Redford Union High School.   He knew everyone by name and always made everyone feel welcomed at school.  I’m sorry to hear of his passing and send his family my deepest condolences.

Mr Motter was a great man. I will never forget how he helped me during my Moms Cancer. May he rest in peace.

By far the best principal I ever had! He would always take the time to sit with the students at lunch and chat with them. My favorite was when he dyed his hair blue for a pep rally. He was always in good spirits and pleasant. He got on the kids level to talk to them. He was incredibly funny. He used to go behind my brother and poke him in the sides just to make him laugh. Even when he’d became superintendent he’d hugged every student when they graduated. He will absolutely be missed. Fly high Mr. Motter! ❤️

Prayers & hugs for his family. He was such a great guy. He was my principal for 6 years as he came with us from Jr high to high school. Years after I graduated I seen him at big boy & he still remembered my name. I probably wouldn't of made it through high school without him. He truly cared. Enjoy Heaven. You will be missed down here.

I am so saddened to hear of Mr.Motter’s passing. He was an amazing principal and made sure to connect with every student. One of my fondest memories is when he called me and asked me to come to his office, I had graduated and he was superintendent at the time. He had heard I was struggling with a breakup and encouraged me and  talked to me like I was one of his daughters. I will never forget how he thought of me and reached out even though I had graduated.  His words were supportive, understanding and encouraging. I will always treasure that moment and admire the man he was.  God bless you Mr. Motter and RIP. Thoughts and prayers to his family. 💔

Mr Motter was simply the best. I have incredibly fond and important adolescent memories of Mr Motter. He made a difference. - Amanda Lippe, 2001 RUHS graduate

I’m so sorry to hear of Brian’s passing… As a former student and later employee at RU, I always felt welcomed and appreciated. He always had great words of advice and jokes. May his memory be eternal. Sending prayers of comfort to his family and friends. He made a difference!

Mr. Motter was one of the best principals. He also loved his students as if they were his own kids. He will be missed for sure.

Mr. Motter was one of the best memories I have from school. He was such a great principal and really cared for all his students like they were his own. He was such a compassionate loving man and we were lucky to have him in our lives. My condolences to all his family he will be missed

worked with Brian for awhile at Allstate Insurance Co.  It was a pleasure to know and work with him.  May he rest in peace.

Ed Szarzyński

LaVerne 
I am so sorry about the passing of Brian. He was wonderful in every way & loved by so many.  Right up to the very end he had a sense of humor & was a joy to hear him & Craig laugh.
I always had fond memories & great-full for the time he flew out to California for the birth of Christi & stayed to take care of us. Unheard  of!!
Even though the boys dropped me off at the hospital & went golfing😃
My heart goes out to you & Elena, he loved you so. Love you always, Cindy

OBITUARY

Brian Motter

9 June, 1943 – 7 March, 2024

Harry J Will Funeral Homes

Show your support

Add a Memory

Share Obituary

Get Reminders

Services