George M. Brenner, PhD

Dr. George Marvin Brenner, 74, died on May 11, 2018 in Richmond, VA surrounded by loving family after an extended illness. He will be remembered for his devotion to family, steadiness and wisdom, and taking on life’s challenges with energy and hard work.

George was born September 19, 1943, in Ottawa, KS. He grew up on the family farm near Princeton, KS where he was active in 4-H. He enrolled at the University of Kansas and received a B.S. degree in Pharmacy in 1966. George received the first Ph.D. degree awarded in Pharmacology and Toxicology at K.U. in 1971.

George met Mary Ann Robinson while they were attending summer school at KU and doing research in the School of Pharmacy. They were married on August 21, 1966. In 1976, the Brenner family moved to Tulsa, OK where George was promoted to Professor at the Center for Health Sciences of Oklahoma State University. He served as Chair of the Department of Pharmacology and Physiology for fourteen years. During his tenure, George received numerous teaching awards, and authored a pharmacology textbook. The 5th edition, Brenner and Stevens’ Pharmacology, was published in 2018.

George and Mary Ann returned to Lawrence, KS in 2005 and enjoyed twelve wonderful years there where they were active in several organizations. George was a member of the Lawrence Central Rotary Club. He was active in their community service Projects and served as club treasurer.

In 2017, they moved to Richmond, VA to be closer to their daughter and grandsons. George and Mary Ann traveled frequently to see children and grandchildren, and enjoyed travel together to Mexico, Central America, and Europe.

Enjoying and preserving the natural world was George’s life-long passion, and he was proud to support numerous environmental organizations. While in Tulsa, George served as Chair of the Green Country Sierra Club and was a leader in the Inner-city Outings program for disadvantaged youth. He backpacked in Colorado and the Grand Canyon, and visited numerous state and national parks across the United States. George also enjoyed performing and listening to music throughout his life. He played trumpet in the Princeton school band, University of Kansas band, and local bands in Tulsa and Lawrence.

George is survived by his wife Mary Ann, daughter Sharon Brenner and grandsons Ciaran Jones and Braith Jones, of Richmond, VA, son John Brenner and his wife Dannielle and granddaughters Lexi and Sophia Brenner of San Antonio, TX, as well as his brother James Brenner of Los Angeles, CA, sister Brenda Grasmick of Helena, MT, and many extended family members.