Brendan Michael O'Connor

Brendan O’Connor, devoted father and spouse, a dear friend to many, passed away on September 27, 2020 after a courageous struggle with lung cancer. Brendan lived each of his sixty years with an extraordinary energy, dedication, and love, giving his whole self to those personal and professional relationships that defined him and those around him.

Brendan was born in Hartford, Connecticut on December 8, 1959 to Mary and John O’Connor, both of County Clare, Ireland. He grew up in a lively household with his sisters Anne Marie and Irene and brother John. Brendan attended Northwest Catholic High School in West Hartford, and received his bachelor’s degree in chemistry at New College of Florida in Sarasota. Coming to The University of Texas at Austin to pursue a graduate career, Brendan joined the research group of Michael J. S. Dewar, the world-renowned chemist. In that group, as in all of his professional, educational and social environments, Brendan forged friendships that were to last a lifetime. While he quickly completed a master’s in theoretical chemistry, Brendan soon migrated to his true calling in aerospace engineering. He earned his second master’s under the mentorship of Wallace T. Fowler, and began the career that would most define his professional life and success. These achievements, as impressive as they are, do not fully capture the character of the man who achieved them. Once a friend of Brendan, always a friend of Brendan, and many years after he his well-deserved success, Brendan was still supporting, materially and intellectually, those he had encountered on the way.

Brendan was passionate about all things related to flight, aviation and space. He worked as a principal engineer at McDonnell Douglas Space Systems, The Boeing Company, and most recently as Vice President and Chief Technical Officer at Emergent Space Technologies, developing flight and ground control software systems for satellites. He also worked for seven years as the executive VP and CTO of Multimedia Games, Inc. In tandem with this success, Brendan continually sought to share his benefit with those who had crossed his path. Brendan earned his pilot’s license and used this skill both to take friends out on adventures in the sky, and for acts of service, delivering emergency supplies after Hurricane Harvey.

Brendan was also an avid athlete, a cross country and marathon runner, swimmer, cyclist and rower. In this, as in all things, Brendan married ability to humanity, cementing relationships that were to transcend the activity. Though exceptionally driven, Brendan was also exceptional in his kindness, generosity and fun-loving spirit. Continually bringing people together for meals and gatherings, he would be the life of the party entertaining company with stories and anecdotes. He adored Austin, Texas Longhorns football, dips in Barton Springs and Deep Eddy, margaritas at Chuy’s and Trudy’s, tubing on the Frio River, and the Hyde Park neighborhood where he lived off and on for over thirty years. Brendan also returned frequently to his childhood home in Connecticut to maintain his connections there.

A deep commitment to family most defined Brendan. He lived to care for others: his wife, sons, mother, siblings, nieces, nephews, and cousins. Volunteering as an Assistant Scoutmaster with the Boy Scouts of America, Brendan proudly ushered his sons, Sean and Liam, to the rank of Eagle Scout.

To his family, as well as to his friends, he leaves a legacy etched in our minds, and in the stories we will share about him. “His life was gentle; and the elements, so mixed in him, that Nature might stand up and say to all the world, THIS WAS A MAN!”

Brendan is survived by his wife Maureen, his sons, Ryan, Sean and Liam, his mother Mary, and siblings Anne Marie, John and Irene.

Those wishing to honor Brendan’s memory are encouraged to make donations to: The Boy Scouts of America and The University of Texas at Austin’s Cockrell School of Engineering Women in Aerospace Engineering Scholarship.

Farewell to Thee! But not farewell

To all our fondest thoughts of Thee;

Within our hearts they still shall dwell

And they shall cheer and comfort me.

Life seems more sweet that Thou didst live

And men more true that Thou wert one;

Nothing is lost that Thou didst give,

Nothing destroyed that Thou hast done