Marshall David Brain II

Born on May 17, 1961, in Santa Monica, California, Marshall’s childhood was profoundly influenced by his father’s work designing components for NASA's lunar lander and later in the development of Atlanta’s MARTA transit system. A lifelong learner, Marshall earned a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and a Master of Science in Computer Science from North Carolina State University (NC State).

Marshall began his teaching career in NC State’s Computer Science Department, where he taught from 1986 to 1992. His passion for education led him to create Emphasis on Teaching, a grassroots newsletter aimed at enhancing the learning experience for students. His dedication earned him a place in NC State's prestigious Academy of Outstanding Teachers.

In 1998, Marshall founded HowStuffWorks.com as a hobby, with the mission of making complex topics accessible to everyone. The website quickly became a global phenomenon, eventually being acquired by Discovery Communications in 2007.

Beyond HowStuffWorks, Marshall expanded his influence through writing and television. He authored several notable books, including The Engineering Book, The Teenager's Guide to the Real World, and The Doomsday Book: The Science Behind Humanity’s Greatest Threats. Among his favorites was Manna: Two Visions of Humanity's Future, a thought-provoking science fiction story about a future shaped by robots. On television, Marshall hosted Factory Floor with Marshall Brain and Who Knew? With Marshall Brain on the National Geographic Channel, exploring the intricacies of product design and manufacturing. He also appeared on prominent programs like The Oprah Winfrey Show, Good Morning America, The Dr. Oz Show, and Modern Marvels.

Marshall also contributed significantly to the entrepreneurial spirit of the Research Triangle Park community through his role as Director of NC State’s Engineering Entrepreneurs Program, mentoring aspiring innovators and fostering creativity. He never said no to anyone who asked for help.

Marshall is survived by his wife, Leigh Ann, their four children—David, Irena, Johnny, and Ian—and the family dog, Summer. He would do anything for his family, including building a duck pond with an excavator because his future wife said she wanted ducks, or jumping in the car to drive hours to deliver a set of keys to his daughter who had left them at home. Marshall, beloved husband and father, you will remain in our hearts forever.

Marshall had a lifelong passion for writing, constantly jotting down ideas, organizing his thoughts, and reflecting through words. He found joy in simple pleasures like taking family walks, bike riding, making big family dinners, traveling, and tinkering with technology, whether it was his motorcycle, his RING camera system, or his iWatch. He loved to make people laugh and had a lighthearted goal to travel the cruise circuit, performing comedy shows. He was always putting bits of money into his “helicopter fund” with a dream of one day building his own helicopter and often spoke of walking the Appalachian trail.

Through his work, teaching, and boundless curiosity, Marshall touched countless lives, inspiring others to explore, learn, and better understand the world around them. He will be greatly missed but will live on in the memories of all who knew him.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, December 8, 2024, the family will receive friends at 2:00 PM at Brown-Wynne Funeral Home, 200 SE Maynard Rd, Cary, NC 27511. Beginning at 3:00 PM the family would like to have a time of reflection with shared memories of Marshall.

The family kindly requests that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Big Brothers Big Sisters, an organization that was especially meaningful to Marshall, as it provided him with support after the loss of his own father at a young age.

The Celebration of Life is also live streamed via Zoom:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83914708206?pwd=5DNkLezvyQ70gzjaufbu7qzDJb6bIq.1

Meeting ID: 839 1470 8206

Passcode: Teacher