Richard Brolliar passed away early in the morning on August 2, 2022, from injuries sustained years ago in a circus accident attempting his signature triple Lindy leap on the flying trapeze. Knowing Dad’s sense of humor, that is probably how he would start his obituary if he were writing it himself. In fact, the above is a narrative from his first freshman English assignment at the University of Colorado describing the summer he spent with the circus. While he may have taken some artistic liberties about his death, he did “run away and join the circus” (with his mother’s permission), but he did so as an accomplished juggler and gymnast using the skills he honed while growing up in Dallas, Texas.
Richard’s sense of humor was cultivated over his lifetime with family and friends, and started with humble beginnings with his birth in Fort Collins, CO. He spent his childhood years in Dallas, Texas, and after graduating from Highland Park High School, he moved back to Colorado with his mother and sister.
While earning his Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Colorado, he met the love of his life, Judith Ann Bowen. They wed in the summer of 1957 and started a family shortly thereafter. In 1963 their journey took them to Huntsville, Alabama. While working with NASA, Richard helped design and ensure the structural integrity of the rockets that took mankind to the Moon and beyond; however, the source of his greatest pride came from his family.
Together with Judy, they raised three children in Huntsville, giving the kids the space to grow and develop their unique gifts and talents. Their love of travel took the family from coast to coast in the US and most of the states in between. These trips to numerous sites, such as Yellowstone, Niagara Falls, and Williamsburg, formed many fond memories for the whole family and set a high bar for the generations that follow.
After a long career at NASA and seeing all his children graduate college, Dick retired. In retirement, they purchased a sailboat, joined the Browns Creek Sailing Association, and enjoyed racing and sailing the waters of Lake Guntersville. When not on the lake, they enjoyed watching their family grow, as grandkids and great grandkids were added to the mix.
Richard was preceded in death by his mother, Velma Brolliar; his father, Maynard Brolliar; his brothers and sister, Sonny (Bonnie) Brolliar, Bill Brollier, and Terry (Bill) Shinkle; and his daughter, Robin Mangham. He is survived by his wife Judy; sister-in-law, Lynn Brollier; sons, Steve (Brenda) Brolliar, Lon (Anella) Brolliar; grandchildren, David (Heather) Brolliar, Breanna (Phillip) Smith, Stephanie (Daniel) Deloney, Seth Brolliar, Lucas (Amanda) Mangham, Emma Brolliar, Holden Brolliar, and Sarah Grace Brolliar; along with 11 great-grandchildren; 8 nieces and nephews; and countless friends.
Visitation will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 7, 2022, at Laughlin Service Funeral Home, followed by a funeral service at 2:00 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorials in Richard’s honor may be made to the Redstone Village Benevolent Fund at 12000 Turnmeyer Dr. SE, Huntsville, AL 35803, or your favorite charity.
