Final Salute

George Brian Estes
DECEMBER 6, 1941 – JANUARY 26, 2022

IN THE CARE OF
Nelsen Williamsburg

Brian Estes of Williamsburg died on January 26 after experiencing a beautiful 80-year life. Brian was born in upstate New York to Virgil and Dora Estes. When he was a year old, Brian’s family moved northeast to Maine, where he remained through his undergraduate work in civil engineering at the University of Maine. Upon graduation with a Bachelor of Science from the University of Maine, he married Roberta Montgomery and joined the United States Navy.

Brian served for over 30 years in the Navy Civil Engineer Corps. In his early years, Brian served at Great Lakes, Illinois, at the Washington Navy Yard, and with Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 9, at Port Hueneme, California. He deployed with the Seabees to Vietnam in 1968. In 1969, Brian attended the University of Illinois where he earned a Master of Science in Civil Engineering. He became a Registered Professional Engineer in Illinois in 1970. Thereafter, Brian served at a communications station in Puerto Rico; in Guam for two separate tours of duty; in Madrid, Spain where his area of responsibility included the European military theater; and in continental United States in an exchange program with the United States Air Force, at the Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay, Georgia, and at the Civil Engineer Corps headquarters in the Washington, DC area. Brian served his last tour of duty in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, where his responsibilities encompassed the Pacific military theater.

After retiring from active-duty military service, Brian applied his know-how at the Hanford Nuclear Project site in Richland, Washington; he served on the National Research Council of the National Science Foundation; and remained active in several community service organizations, including the Rotary Club, Kiwanis, and Habitat for Humanity. After a second retirement, Brian and Roberta moved to Williamsburg, Virginia to build their dream home. Brian continued his participation in community groups, including service as an Elder at the Williamsburg Community Chapel, helping build the nature trail at Ford’s Colony, and performing the duties of secretary of the Capital Club of Williamsburg.

Brian is survived by Roberta, his wife of 59 years; a son, a daughter, six grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

A service will be held at Nelsen Funeral Home, 3785 Strawberry Plains Road, Williamsburg, Virginia 23188 on Wednesday, February 23 at 1 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Lackey Clinic at https://lackeyclinic.org/.