Shawn William Brimley

Shawn William Douglas Brimley, of Washington, DC, died January 9, 2018, after a battle with colon cancer at age 40. He was an adoring and devoted husband and father who lived for his family more than anything else. He was also passionate about his work. One of the country’s most respected defense intellectuals, Shawn was a brilliant analyst who added much to our understanding of the most pressing international challenges facing the United States, while serving as a role model and mentor for the next generation of national security professionals. He was beloved and universally admired by colleagues and friends for his intellect, integrity, and good humor. A serious observer of world affairs who never took himself too seriously, Shawn was the life of the party, frequently sharing embarrassing tales and self-deprecating jokes. He loved music, playing guitar, exploring the outdoors, and was a recent convert to CrossFit. Shawn brought warmth and laughter to all who knew him and he always gave more to others than he asked in return.

Born June 27, 1977 in Mississauga, Ontario, to parents Sheryll and Bill Brimley, Shawn enjoyed his childhood with sisters Sarah-Jane and Suzanne. He attended John Fraser Secondary School in Mississauga. From 1996 to 2001 he served in the Canadian Army Militia as a 2nd Lieutenant. He went on to earn his BA in history from Queen’s University in 2001 and his MA in security policy from George Washington University in 2007.

While teaching English in Japan in 2001 through the Japanese Exchange and Training Programme, he met his wife Marjorie Clark. The couple married July 3, 2004. On March 31, 2009, they became parents with the birth of their daughter Claire Violet Brimley. Their first son, Austin William Brimley, was born May 3, 2011, and on February 22, 2014, Shawn delivered their third child, son Tommy Xavier Brimley during an unexpected home birth. Shawn’s love for and commitment to his wife and children were boundless.

A self-described “think tank nerd,” Shawn excelled as both a thought leader and an entrepreneur. He began his professional career at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). He left CSIS in 2007 to help found the Center for a New American Security (CNAS), a nonpartisan Washington, DC-based think tank. He was the inaugural recipient of the 1Lt. Andrew Bacevich Jr. Memorial Fellowship at CNAS (2007-2009), and eventually rose to be the Center’s Executive Vice President and Director of Studies (2012-2018). Shawn helped establish CNAS as one of the country’s premier research institutions on defense policy and national security, and as part of the CNAS leadership team, he helped the Center grow and reach new heights in influence. Shortly before his death, Shawn also helped found WestExec, DC’s newest strategic advisory firm, where he was an equity partner.

Shawn was passionate about the importance of public service. From 2009 to 2011, he served as Special Advisor to the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy at the Pentagon, where he was awarded the Secretary of Defense Medal for Exceptional Public Service. From 2011 to 2012 he served at the White House as Director for Strategic Planning on the National Security Council staff.

Shawn’s research and writing focused on U.S. defense policy, the military implications of rapid technological change, and national security strategy. He was widely published, including articles in Foreign Affairs, Foreign Policy, The New York Times, War on the Rocks, and other outlets, and was the author or co-author of more than a dozen CNAS reports and policy papers. He testified on numerous occasions before the House and Senate Armed Services Committees, and was a term member of the Council on Foreign Relations.

Shawn is survived by his wife Marjorie Clark Brimley, and their three children, Claire, Austin and Tommy; his parents Sheryll and Bill Brimley; sister Sarah-Jane and her husband Clayton Greenway and their children Adelaide, Ivy and Jack; and sister Suzanne and her husband Chris Judge.

A memorial service will be held at St. Columba’s Episcopal Church in Washington, DC at 11:00AM on January 13, 2018. Memorial donations may be made to the Brimley Children Educational Fund: https://www.youcaring.com/marjoriebrimleyandchildren-1064593.