Geneseo: April 11, 2016, at age 78 years, after a brief illness. Survived by his wife of 51 years Sandra F. Brennan and daughter Christine E. Brennan (Craig S. Feder) of Glen Ridge, NJ. Grandchildren; Liam Feder and Aurora Feder; sister, Gladys (Walter) Riechmann of MN; nieces, Barb (Tom) Pederson and Deb Riechmann. Also survived by many friends and former students.
Dr. Brennan passed away from complications following a brief relapse of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, which he had successfully overcome more than eight years ago. Bill joined the Geological Sciences Department at SUNY Geneseo in 1968. His training was in the fields of engineering geology, paleomagnetism, and geophysics, but he had wide-ranging experience in many related subdisciplines. He participated in the NASA-funded Apollo Research project early in his Geneseo career and he studied volcanic rocks during his mapping experiences in Colorado and Arizona. He taught Structural Geology, Tectonics, and implemented the Geophysics degree program in the Geological Sciences Department until his retirement. Bill consulted with private and governmental agencies in his areas of expertise, including seismology, groundwater, and solution mining. He also worked briefly for the U.S. Geological Survey while completing his Ph.D. at the University of Colorado at Boulder. He was elected to a term as chair of the SUNY Geneseo Faculty Senate. Bill was a major contributor to the Geological Sciences Department degree program and to its reputation for producing well trained graduates in their pursuit of advanced degrees at major universities. His loyal students will all fondly remember his Structural Geology fieldtrips to areas in NY and New England.
Following his retirement in 2003, Bill continued to pursue outside interests including backpacking with friends, hunting, both bow and gun and volunteering for community related organizations. He served as a hearing officer for many years with the Livingston County Health Department and he was a long-time advocate of promoting hunter safety in the region.
A Celebration of Life gathering will be held on Saturday, June 25th, at 2pm at the A-On-Do-Wa-Nuh Sportsman Club, 4716 River Road, Leicester, NY 14481. Memorial contributions may be made to The Geneseo Foundation, SUNY Geneseo Annual Giving, 1 College Circle, Geneseo, NY 14454. Arrangements entrusted to the Kevin W. Dougherty Funeral Home Inc., Livonia- Honeoye. To send a condolence please visit: www.doughertyfuneralhomes.com
Bill’s passing was a shock to us fellow University of Colorado geology alumni in Colorado and the West. We had enjoyed such great adventures – both physical and intellectual – with Bill during our adventure trips throughout the West over the years. His breadth and depth of knowledge were impressive, and his devotion to family obvious. We’ll definitely miss and remember him.
Dear Sandy and family,
Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers. (While working at the College) I fondly remember our younger days in College Senate, then later I could always rely on Bill’s memories of his students and the campus organizations he interacted with. He was always helpful, passionate and compassionate. In retirement we loved seeing him around town and most often at Wegmans. We will miss him.
Kathy and Hop
Sandy,
I am so sorry for your loss. I had the pleasure of meeting Bill many times and his passion for hunter safety was very clear. He always offered to assist any instructors that needed help. He was a great gentleman, I regret not having the chance to spend more time with him.
Captain Michael Van Durme, NYSDEC Police, retired.
Sandy & Christine,
You are in my thoughts and prayers today and in the days to come. I saw Bill at Wegmans not too long ago and he came right up to me smiling and talking away about you, Sandy letting me know how you were doing. He was always such a pleasure to see and talk to. My heart aches for you both.
Jill
Dear Sandy, I met Bill our 1st day at Hanley Jr. High, Sept 1950. We became close, and Bill asked me to work together on our 1st science fair project. We constructed a working telegraph system.
We played football together, and in summer we played Indian ball. Much later, I had to take a difficult physics course at Wash U before I could be admitted to med school. I did not have the background for it,
so Bill coached me through it. I made a D, and was adm to Mizzou for med school, but had i flunked, I never would have been admitted.
Bill and i had some deep conversations, and we had a similar world view. He was a good friend, and i miss him already.
Harvey
To the Family of Dr. Brennan: My condolences to you at this very difficult time. May you find comfort in your loving memories and God’s wonderful promise for the future (Revelation 21:4,5). I am sorry for your loss.
Sandy,
I’m at the age where I look at the obituaries every day to see if there are any familiar names, and all too often there are. I was sad to see Bill had passed away. I only met him a few times but that was enough to get a sense of what a good man he was. Please accept my heart-felt condolences. Jack Watson