Brian Juel Jensen

Recently retired after a 44-year career at NASA Langley Research Center in Hampton, Brian was widely respected as a successful researcher, scientist and inventor. But he was even more respected as a devoted husband, father, son, brother, and friend to all that knew him.

Brian and Amy married on Valentine’s Day, 1987, and moved into their Williamsburg home, where they built a life together that would revolve around their girls. When Chelsea and Colby were young, Brian could be found on the sidelines of a field hockey game or behind the starting blocks at a swim meet, cheering them on. As they grew up, he steadfastly supported them as they both earned engineering and MBA degrees, continued their athletic endeavors, started successful careers and established their own families. He was extremely proud of them.

Brian was also a devoted son and gave his time generously to help his parents, especially in their later years. He loved boating, watersports and golfing -- particularly with his brother Steve, with whom he played often. He loved his Powhatan Shores neighborhood and neighbors and served several times as president of the Homeowners Association. He was always the first to volunteer for neighborhood projects.

Born on August 14, 1958, Brian grew up in Newport News, Virginia, and graduated from Ferguson High School in 1976. He went on to earn a B.S. in Chemistry from Randolph-Macon College, M.A. in Chemistry from The College of William & Mary and Ph.D. in Chemistry, specializing in Organic and Polymer Chemistry, from Virginia Commonwealth University.

Brian began his remarkable career at NASA Langley Research Center in 1980. He served as the Senior Researcher for Advanced Materials and Deputy Technical Fellow for the NASA Engineering and Safety Center Materials Technical Discipline Team. He had more than 200 publications and technical presentations, secured more than 30 patents and owned over 50 commercial licenses. He received the NASA Exceptional Achievement Medal, two NASA Commercial Inventions of the Year – 1998, 2008, and Honorable Mention 2018, an R&D 100 Award, and the NASA Exceptional Service Medal. He is also a member of the NASA Inventor’s Hall of Fame.

Brian is survived by his wife Amy and daughters, Chelsea Jensen Damm, her husband Mike and grandson Wyatt, of Scottsdale, Arizona, and Colby Jensen Carlin and her husband Chuck, of Houston, Texas, who are expecting a son soon. He is also survived by a sister, Gale Jensen McCartney and husband Doug of North Chesterfield, brother, Steven Jensen and wife Patty of Yorktown, Amy’s sister Paula and husband Paul, and 7 nieces and nephews. Brian is preceded in death by his parents, Julius and Barbara Jensen.

A funeral service will be held at St. Bede Catholic Church in Williamsburg on Tuesday, February 6, 2024 at 11:00 AM. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Brian’s honor to the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation, in support of research that he cared for deeply.