John Bremer

John (Johann) Bremer was born in Marburg, Germany on June 2, 1957 to German parents, Hans Hartwig Bremer and Lore Rommeis Bremer. During John’s childhood, his father’s career as a microbiology researcher and professor placed the family in Cologne, Germany, and then in Berkeley, California, and finally in Richardson, Texas, where John grew up and lived for the rest of his life. He graduated from Richardson High School in 1975 and the University of Texas-Austin with a degree in Architectural Engineering in 1979. He later earned a business degree from Southern Methodist University. He became a US citizen in 1982.

John began his career as an architectural and structural engineer at Datum Engineering in Dallas, Texas, and continued at JQ Engineering, also in Dallas, with an interlude at Bechtel Engineering in Thailand. He left his mark on numerous distinctive building and infrastructure projects throughout Texas and the US. He retired in April, 2023.

His life’s passions included aviation including certification as a sailplane pilot, worldwide travel including his native Germany, and philanthropy. Throughout his life he maintained a special fondness for his father’s hometown of Ahrensburg, north of Hamburg, Germany. Not being married, he delighted in many close and sincere friendships with diverse people from all walks of life.

John is remembered as a highly competent and meticulous engineer. However, the most enduring memories of John focus on his kindness and generosity, providing encouragement, mentorship, and support for education to many friends and colleagues. He passed away at his home in Richardson on June 7, 2023, after a brief but challenging struggle with cancer. He is preceded in death by his brother, Niclas (1980); mother, Lore (2005); and father, Hans (2022). He is survived by his brother, Thomas Bremer (wife, Cindy; nephews, Christopher and Stephan); and sister, Anne Bremer Branham (husband, Ken; nephews, Ryan and Matthew).

The family wishes to thank his many friends and supporters who surrounded him with love and prayer, and especially Shelley Hardell who modelled Christ’s love in her caregiving and emotional support for John during his illness.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society.