About Brian

On the afternoon of November 14, 2008 Brian, along with two of his colleague were shot and killed at their workplace.  Needless to say that moment has changed the lives of Brian's family and friends forever.  And while this event has created overwhelming sadness and grief, we also know that Brian was a genuinely good person, filled with a great love of his family, endless generosity and a deep faith in God.

Please feel free to leave your personal story of Brian here or leave a note for the kids about their dad on the Memory Book Page.

Here is his story . . .

Born March 16, 1961 in San Bernadino, CA. He lived in several places while growing up, moving with his family to San Jose, CA in 1974. As a jr. high schooler, Brian tutored elementary kids in math and science before heading off to his afternoon session of school. In addition to being a straight A student, Brian was an extremely active member of the drama department at Gunderson High School. Brian did lights and sound, stage managed and produced shows while often playing one of the lead roles. Brian loved musicals. His favorite role was playing Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof. Brian also joined Almaden Hills United Methodist Church in the 1970s and was active in its youth group while in high school. Brian was a boy scout from cub scouts all the way through high school and loved camping, hiking and the outdoors. This love was later translated to his support of environmental causes.

Brian got his Bachelor of Science degree from UC Berkeley, where he graduated with a double major in Physics and Computer Science. He was one of those people who appreciated the beauty of physics. Brian was instrumental in starting the Berkeley chapter of Sigma Pi Sigma, the national physics honor society and served as its first president. After graduation he went to work for Watkins-Johnson and while there also worked for and received his Master of Science degree in Applied Physics from Stanford University. Despite the fact that he attended both Cal and Stanford, Brian always sat on the Blue and Gold side at the Big Game and was a faithful Cal Bears fan. Brian remained an active member of Almaden Hills UMC, serving on the Church Council. Around this time, Brian also joined the Chamber Singers at Foothill College, a group through which he expressed his love of singing and of music for many years.

Professionally Brian continued to work his way up in the tech industry, holding increasingly higher positions at Samsung in Northern California and moving to San Diego where he worked with Silicon Wave and Quorum. Brian's leadership in the industry was recognized by ARFTG, the IEEE associated measurements expertise society, where he served various roles including conference chair and president. While in San Diego, Brian sang with several choirs, including Schola Pacifica and the La Jolla Symphony Chorus.

The most important chapter of Brian's life began when he met Carol Coe. They married a year and a day after their first encounter and began their life together in San Diego. In time they were blessed with both Nicholas and Christina. The happiest days in Brian's life were the days his children were born; he truly loved being a Dad. Family was important to Brian, and was a major part of his and Carol's decision to move back to Northern California to be closer to both Pughs and Coes.

No one word can define Brian. He was gentle and loving, a faithful servant of Christ Jesus. He was a brilliant scientist and an incredibly hard worker. He was an avid musician and a skilled tenor. He loved hiking and the outdoors. He volunteered for and supported many organizations where he was on the front lines of helping those most in need in our society. He was a loving family man, and an enthusiastically devoted father and husband. His loss will be felt keenly by a great many people who loved him and were touched by his gentle spirit.

Comments

[Rick Shrum]

I am still in shock as I write this.
I was feeling nostalgic, and so I was looking up places I had worked, and people I had worked with.
When I saw the tragic news about Brian, I was crestfallen.

I worked with Brian back in the 80's at Watkins-Johnson. I always knew Brian as a sweet, friendly guy with a 1st class mind. This was the time when home computers were just starting to rev up, and I was always asking (bugging?) him with questions.

I see that another co-worker of mine, Wei Wei Yeung also left her heart-felt feelings about Brian. I hope that it is OK with the Pugh family if I pass along a "hello" and "thanks for being a friend" to her as well.
Tragedies such as this makes one reflect on those people we once knew who left a positive impact on our lives.

Again, to the Pugh family, friends, and co-workers - while we have all felt a loss, we all gained a lot for having known Brian.

[Gina Tomasi Diamante]

I only heard about this awful tragedy today. Brian was one of the dearest people in the world to me, in high school and beyond.

My very first memory of Brian is him standing on the top of the scaffolding in the Gunderson HS theatre. He invited me to come on up, but I declined, scared to death. Eventually I did brave that scaffloding but I never did like it!

I knew Brian as "Papa." And like a dad, he always supported me and encouraged me...sometimes in directions I wouldn't have expected. He egged me into taking geometry in high school because it was then a UC admissions requirement. Never mind that I knew I wasn't going to a UC. I did it because he told me it would be good for me. (Not so good for my GPA as it turned out, but I did eventually find a use for some of that advanced algebra.)

We stayed in touch through college. Then I moved away after graduating, and we lost track of each other. The last time we saw each other was when I was in San Diego, before he met his wife. He spent a New Year's Eve with me and my soon-to-be husband, playing Trivial Pursuit.

He was such a force in my life, and my world seems a little less bright to know what happened to him.

[Mindy Carse Franke]

Like so many others, I knew Brian in high school, where he was brilliant and funny and engaging. He had a way of making people feel like they mattered, like they were worth something. I've always wondered what happened to him after he left Gunderson; I knew he had gone onto college and I'd heard that he'd done really well, but we never moved in the same circles again, so we lost touch. I'm so glad to see that he had such a full and rich and happy life, though it was cut way too short. I can only think that our Good Lord wanted Brian's lovely tenor in His own choir and simply couldn't wait any longer. My deepest condolences to Brian's family; I only just was made aware of Brian's passing this morning - the world seems a lesser place now, knowing that he's not here.

[Lee Monticone]

Dear Joan, I am so sorry to hear of the tradegy of your son's passing. When I saw his picture in the Mercury, I had to read it and found your name. I did not have the opportunity of knowing him, but you must have been very proud of his accomplishments. My sympathy and prayers are with you and your family.

[Wei Wei Yeung]

I am deeply shocked and saddened to hear about Brian’s passing in this terrible tragedy. Brian and I were co-workers for more than a decade at WJ, and I knew him as an intelligent, sincere, and kindhearted man who was passionate about everything he did, from work to backpacking, music, church, and volunteering. His caring nature was evident in our work-related interactions, where he was always eager and willing to help others, but it also shone out beyond, as he was a trained paramedic and I remember being very moved and proud of him when he came back after a plane trip and told me that he had helped save a fellow passenger’s life.

Over the years, Brian and I shared many wonderful conversations, and I always thought he would someday be a terrific husband and father. Even when he was a single man, he often asked after my young children and showed great kindness to them. I was so happy for him when he met Carol and told me how happy he was with her, and my family and I cherished celebrating his wedding and hearing about his growing family.

Carol and family, your loss is unimaginable. Our greatest sympathy and thoughts are with you, and we’ll always remember Brian with fond memories.

[Gail Birdsong]

I was Brian's choir director and voice teacher for 8 years at Foothill College. Brian was very loyal and hardworking. He was always there to encourage everyone else. I just remember he always had the huge smile and warm personality. We traveled alot with that group, so we all got very close. He was the core of a very close knit choir. I can't image the pain his family must be having over his loss. I wish I could have been at the memorial to honor Brian along with the choir, but I live in Idaho and I couldn't leave that day. But I am sure Brian was singing right along with the tenors. Heaven now has another wonderful tenor for the angel choir.

Thanks Brian for everything!

Gail Birdsong

[Lorna Maynard (Zuckswerth)]

Brian was my best friend in high school. He had many best friends, but I had him. We were in drama together, starting with the now famous "Fiddler". I was the student" costume mistress", and carted around a box of black yarmulke parts to sew for the male members of our cast. I had many to make, and it seemed they were always jumping out of the box. Brian called them my "fleas". Those of you who have known him for many years knew he carried that "flea" around in his back pocket for much longer than it's simple felt was meant to last.
We were in leadership class together, and were in AP classes together.
The Maverick comment today, at the service, made me laugh. He and I used to argue about it's color (was it baby blue, or white?), and it made him so vivid in my mind to hear about that car.
I lost touch with him, after he parted for Berkeley, and I parted for Cal Poly (SLO). Today, I learned that his life was very full, after our own very full high school days. I met with him once, about 17 years ago (when I discovered he still carried the "flea"), and am immensely sorry to catch up on his life this very horrible way.
To Carol: thank you for falling in love with him, a worthy man. (I was not permitted that feeling, as he had a girlfriend in high school....we went on several dates, the three of us, since Brian wanted his friend to be happy, too- Arlene, I fear, didn't like me very well!) His big, big heart had no boundaries.
To Amy Johnson: Thank you for picking up where I left off, as his bestest friend of the female kind. Coincidentally, I am the woman who is also "Styled by Chemo", although I did not know who you were at that moment. He really made a wonderful friend, did he not?
To Nicholas and Christina: May you both grow to love your da, through the eyes of all the friends and family he moved, in his so very Brian way. He was better than most, but humble about all he was.
To Brian: I have always treasured you, and will always miss you, and will always wish I could have shared more of your life, but am glad you found true happiness in your marriage, in your work and forever in our Lord.

[Joe Eaton]

I also had the good fortune of knowing Brian back in High School, during the "Fiddler On The Roof" days......................those were such wonderful times...............
One of my memories of Brian is that, when I met him........you could just tell right off that he was a "Pure-Hearted" person. Some people just draw that emotional response from you, and he was one of those people.
You'll be in my prayers Brian....!

[Rev. Carole L. Vincnet]

Our church family at Almaden Hills United Methodist Church in San Jose is shocked and deeply saddened by this loss. Brian is fondly remembered for his participation in the young adult group and his enthusiastic support of the confirmation youth and outreach ministries. Every year on Christmas Eve, Brian and friends continued to provided the outdoor luminaries for our worship services, and as we light candles this year, we will be remembering Brian and all that he meant to us. God bless you and keep you.

[Tim and Heatherly Takeuchi]

Brian was a good friend we met in the Young Adults group at Almaden Hills UMC.

He had a great sense of humor, was always optimistic and could make any chore fun. Whether we were debating Bible verses, hiking in Yosemite, or selling food at rummage sales, Brian was a kind and considerate soul. He would get up before dawn on a cold spring morning to participate in Easter sunrise services, share the last banana with you at a retreat, and smile when the rest of us sang off-key during Christmas caroling.

Anyone who knew Brian became a friend. We lost track of Brian while he lived in San Diego and happy when he returned to San Jose with his family. It was enjoyable to reconnect a couple months ago with Brian and meet Carol, Nicholas and Christina.

We miss our friend Brian very much and will keep him and his family in our prayers.

[Mark Echeagaray]

I worked for Brian back in 1995 at Samsung Microwave. We always got along. I am not sure what I am feeling, just a undefinable sadness that is hard to put into words. I extend my best wishes to his family.

[David Navarro]

I had the good fortune of working with Brian in the play “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” and the musical “Fiddler on the Roof” during my senior year at Gunderson High School. He was a warm, kind, and humorous soul who befriended everyone and kept us in stitches on stage and behind the scenes. Though we parted ways after high school, in reading the stories about him, it’s clear that he lived a full life, rich with friends, family, and love. He will be deeply missed. My prayers go out to his family.

L’chaim, Tevye

[Michael Dennis]

I helped hire Brian back in the early days at Silicon Wave in San Diego. It was interesting in that I was interviewing someone who would be my boss! That's a small company for you! Anyway, I liked him right away and fervently endorsed his recruitment. Thereafter I never regretted that decision. Brian was a hard worker and very dedicated and extremely intelligent and gifted in the type of work he did. More importantly, however, he was a great human being! He always treated those under him with respect and kindness even when the situation got difficult - that's a major plus for a manager! I recall that I often heard his signature laugh in the halls and always felt that was a comforting sound! I grieve tremendously over this great loss! My heart goes out to his family!! We all lost a fine human being in this tragic incident!

[Lance Bye]

I was another classmate of Brian's at Gunderson HS and was priveleged to know him during those three years. I was in the orchestra for Fiddler On The Roof, and we all spent many hours working together to create this memorable production. For the band and drama classes to come together was a first for us, but Brian was one of those people who easily crossed the lines of social circles at the school with his warm personality, intelligence, and unrelenting sense of humor. Anyone who had the good fortune of knowing Brian at any time during his life is blessed.

[Ana (Vail) Williams]

I also performed with Brian, many years ago, in "Fiddler on the Roof." It was a joint production by our two schools ... he was from Gunderson, and I was from Pioneer along with several other talented folks from both schools. I still hear in my head him saying "I have fiiiive daughters!!" My greatest memory from the show was the two of us in duet singing "Sunrise, Sunset." To this day that is one of my mother's favorite songs, and her love of it started back then in 1978, in no small part due to Brian's beautiful tenor, and me hanging in there with the Alto harmony. Sunrise, sunset. It all passes too quickly. Carol, I never met you, but you and your family have weighed heavy on my heart since I heard. I also pray that God will comfort and sustain you, and surround you with wonderful people who will continue to keep Brian alive in your hearts. May we all strive to live up to Brian's passion for life and for doing good in this world.

[Sherry (Maddams) Gardner]

Brian's name is one that has only rolled through my head maybe four of five times in the last 28-29 years. He was someone I knew in high school and we were not more than acquaintances and cast mates in a high school play. Other than drama we didn't run in the same social circles and, to be honest, I couldn't tell you if he'd have recognized my name after all these years.

But I recognized his name last night reading the article explaining the tragedy. And the same impression of him stayed with me last night as it has the few and far between times over the last almost three decades.

One: "That guy was so very, very, smart." I got really good grades in school, but I remember that Brian's smarts were beyond grades, it was an intelligence that only came, I thought, from an old mature soul who knew what he wanted and knew the worth, value, and imperativeness of pursuing it.

Two: "That guy had such a sweet, goofy smile." There was an endearing quality with that smile that I really do remember.

Three: "Sincerity." There was always a helpful and sincere vibe with Brian.

I never ran into the same circles as Brian again since high school, but I am so glad to know that, despite this tragedy that has befallen him and his co-workers, he lived a life that was brilliant, full, and happy in which he was cherished by so many, and so many benefited from knowing him. I like knowing that his life after high school was successful of many goals and accomplishments, and fulfilled with a multi-dimensional quality to it.

I would hope that his happy, successful, multi-dimensional life, regardless of how brief it became, is one that continues to benefit all those he loved and touched for many, many years to come. And I know that, in spite of his passing, I know when I recall the innocent years of high school, Brian Pugh will continue to be on that list of players.

[Jeff Trabucco]

I also sang with Brian in the Foothill College Chamber singers. He was always supportive and encouraging... and had a great sense of humor.

[Paul Brunemeier]

Carol and family, we cannot imagine your pain. My family and I pray that the Lord's spirit would comfort you in this awful time.

I remember hiking in Yosemite with a large group that included Brian. A few of us made the steep haul up the backside of Half Dome at a time when only cables were available to assist us. Brian went up too, enjoying the beautiful weather of a late afternoon in Spring. We assembled later below to prepare camp and get ready for dinner, but we were missing someone--Brian.

A little anxious, I reclimbed the knob to find out what happened to my W-J colleague, and the answer was nothing. Brian had lingered above to breathe the pure air and savor the awesome view. We descended to camp together.

We hope it will bring you some peace to know that now Brian enjoys a greater splendor in the presence of our Lord.

[Nancy Soule]

Brian had an enormous influence on the whole congregation at Almaden Hills United Methodist Church. He guided the youth in many ways and was a mentor to our son. His beautiful tenor voice was enjoyed by us all. He had such a generous and warm spirit. Our love to the entire family.

[Susan and John Baird]

Our entire family remembers Brian as a cohost at the Plum Pudding Festival at Almaden Hills United Methodist Church. Brian put his many talents and phenomenal energy into his role. We also remember his devotion to missions, the homeless and even asking for contributions to those causes as a wedding gift. Our prayers and sympathy go to Carol and Brian's family.

[Lynn Huidekoper]

I have just gone through photos I had taken of the Foothill College Chamber singers where I first met Brian. We went on many tours to Eastern Europe, Canada, Disneyland/Southern California, Napa, etc. I am so glad that I took them as it brought back so many wonderful memories. Brian is smiling in every one of them.
Brian was scheduled to sing tenor at one of our Rent-A-Carol gigs in Palo Alto on Dec. 7. We dress in Dicken's Costumes and it's a fun yearly reunion of our singers. I was so looking forward to seeing him as I hadn't seen him in a few years. He was one of my favorite people for his cheerfulness and humanitarian spirit. He was an EMT and I am a nurse so we always talked about medical issues. We ministered to one of our fellow singers on a tour to the wine country when his car crashed and flipped on Rte. 29 behind our bus. Brian and I ran to check his status as he was sitting dazed on the side of the road. Fortunately the singer was able to continue on with us and sing at the next winery. Seeing Brian's photo on this site made me cry. I will miss him and send love to his whole family.

[Frank Klotz]

There are no words adequate to express the grief and horror of such a tragedy. Yet we must try to find words anyway, inadequate though they are. Brian was a very special person; he will be sorely missed by all who knew him.

[John Barnes]

I sang with Brian at Foothills College like many of the previous writers. I was new to the group and nowhere near as talented, but Brian took me under his wing; shielding me fom some of the more outspoken memebers and therefore helped me to gain some sort of competency. Brian put a small group together to celebrate Joy's and my wedding, 10+ years ago now. He was a warm, very talented, patient man and will be sorely missed.
My condolences to Carol and the two children.

[Alberto Salcedo]

I was hired by Brian at SiliconWave back in 1999. I still remember the day he walked into my office to tell me that his wife Carol was pregnant with their son Nicholas. That was with no doubt one of the happiest moments of his life. My thoughts and prayers are with his entire family.

[stephanie drexler]

Brian was the first person i met when i joined the Foothill Singers. He greeted me with the big Brian smile and i knew i had just made a friend. He was always supportive, caring, funny(in a Brian humor way) and just a wonderful friend. I am honored to call Brian and Carol my friends. I will remember all the good times at the Renaissance festivals, concerts and just hanging around with the gang. He will be missed and always rememebered. Love and prayers to the family.

[Dave Lyon]

Brian was a fine man; energetic, bright, and very straightforward. He will be missed by all the people that he touched in his life. My prayers go out to his family, who he held so dear.

[Dale Ashby]

Brian was a great friend whom I had the privilege of knowing from our days together in the Young Adults group at Almaden Hills United Methodist Church in San Jose. Brian was a man of deep faith with a wry sense of humor and a beautiful tenor voice. I have so many memories of adventures we shared together. There was the time we went back packing with a group up in Tuolumne Meadows above Yosemite. We made camp very late the first night and had quite a time finding a good place to hang our food bags in the dark. We no sooner climbed into sleeping bags when we heard bears outside our camp. We spent most of the rest of the night chasing bears out into the woods and trying to salvage as much of our food as we could after the bears outsmarted us and circled around to get into the bags.
Then there was our mission trip to Bolivia. Toward the end of our trip we were staying at the American Institute school in La Paz. Brian and I decided we wanted to go see a movie, so we wandered down town to see what was playing. We missed the early show so we grabbed a bite to eat and caught the late show - Silence of the Lambs. The movie got out around 11 pm and we walked back to the school a little apprehensive in the dark in a foreign city after watching a scary movie. We arrived at the school to discover they lock the gates at 10 pm and we had no way in. Apprehension turned to panic. There we were, two Americans late at night in a foreign country banging on the gate and yelling at the top of our lungs for someone to let us in and jumping at every shadow. Someone inside the compound finally came and let us in, much to our relief.
I will never forget the special person Brian was. Carol, my prayers and my deepest sympathy go out to you and your kids for your terrible loss. May God comfort you and hold you in his care in this difficult time.

[Donna DeBenedetto Barwald]

I remember Brian fondly as a good-natured brilliant guy who had too many things in his pockets and too much on his plate. Brian and I were the leads in our high school plays. In "Fiddler on the Roof" I was Yente when he played Tevye (which people still talk about today). The following year, I played Dolly to his Horace Vandergelder in "The Matchmaker".

He was in his senior year at Gunderson with more than a 4.0 gpa and had to rush off to a NASA program after school which made him miss many rehearsals. Consequently, he could never remember his lines, and I was quite frustrated because it would upset the timing of the comedy (and lose the laughs, which I lived for).

During the dress rehearsal with an invited audience, he missed a cue during the Harmonia Gardens scene and left me hanging on stage waiting for him to say his line. He blanked and continued to stuff his mouth with food so it was up to me to recover. After what seemed like forever, my grandmother said in her loud Bronx accent, "What is she waiting for? Say something already!" I was mortified and ended up just jabbering away in character until Brian finally said something from the script to get us back on track. He must have stayed up all night memorizing his lines because the rest of the run went smoothly and we got standing ovations every show.

May we be blessed with the memory of Brian's amazing talent and generous spirit, his warm smile and beautiful voice, and his heart of pure gold. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.

[wprestong]

I met Brian in the Foothill Chamber Singers around 1991; we were both tenors. We went on a lot of tours together. Many of us sang at his wedding.

He was such a great guy. Somebody in one of the other letters mentioned something about Brian grumbling about work, but I don't remember him ever grumbling about anything. (In the tenor section, grumbling was my job.)

It seems wrong to be writing this in the past tense. I still cannot believe what happened.

[Steve Whitney]

I was so sorry to hear about Brian. I sang with him in the Foothill College Chamber Singers for 3-4 years in the 90's. Brian had a way of grumbling about work (but not really seeming concerned about anything) and then following it up with a wonderfully geeky joke. Hey, I was writing operating system code in the Valley at that time so it was right on target for me.

I really enjoyed his company. And even though I haven't seen him in years, seeing his picture on this site takes me back and makes this all too real.

I will keep your family in my prayers, and we'll add you to the prayer list at our church too. (I know Bruce has several thousand Presbyterian churches praying for you.)

May God go with you and bring you comfort in your grief.

[Lorrie Magee-Schnittker]

Carol,
I'll keep you and the kids in our prayers. Every time I drive by Crest Avenue in Walnut Creek I think of you. I only met Brian a handful of times but he seemed like such a gentle soul and a perfect match for you. I'm so so sorry honey. Love Ya Lorrie

[Sirisha Gopisetty]

I met Brian and his family 3 times in these past few months as we are 4 houses away from each other. Last time was on Oct 31, 2008 on Halloween night, with his two beautiful kids, a princess and a super hero along with Carol. He had a camera on his shoulder and a big smile!! I thought, how sweet and enthusiastic trick-or-treat dad that Brian was...
Our prayers are with Carol, Nicholas & Christina.

[Sanjay Bapat]

I worked alongside Brian for several years at Silicon Wave in San Diego. He was one of the most practial, caring and dedicated engineer I knew. We had both left Silicon Wave about 3 years back. Earlier this year, I met him on a Southwest flight to San Jose, we chatted the entire flight and had great time catching up, we talked about growing families and his decision to move to bay area. I still remember that conversation vividly...

I am still on shock over this horrific tragedy. My prayers to Carol and his wonderful kids, may god give them strength and understanding to overcome this huge loss...

[Andy Estrada]

I worked with Brian in the early days of Silicon Wave in San Diego. He was one of the nicest people I've ever worked with. Even under difficult circumstances, I never heard him utter a harsh or unkind word. My thoughts and prayers go out to the family during this tragic ordeal.

[Jason Cockroft]

I had the pleasure of meeting Brian one evening as he attended a Dad's YMCA Adventure Guide gathering. Brian's purpose at the meeting was to evaluate what group of fathers would be most suitable for his son. I came away thinking 'How many other Dads do i know would go to this extent for his son?' As we shared dinner that evening, I could see he was a very personable, down-to-earth, and thoughtful human being.

I can't imagine this tragedy. My prayers are with Brian and the Pugh family.

[Sandi Conniff]

We have known Brian for more than 30 years through our affiliation with Almaden Hills United Methodist Church. The shock of this horrific tragedy brings to mind what a wonderful Christian and human being Brian was.

[Jennifer Burns Lewis]

Praying that you are surrounded with love and support at this dreadful time. Our congregation will be in prayer for all of you as well.