Brian Joseph Herbert (1974 – 2021) departed this earth on January 26th, 2021, and is now singing with the angels, but not before sharing his amazing smile, kind heart, and zest for life with everyone he knew.
Brian made this world a better place. He was incredibly loved, and he felt this until the end. He loved to line dance, play poker, sing karaoke, play fantasy football, he was a sports nut, and was a sucker for sunsets. He adored music of all genres, going to see live music, and making Spotify playlists to share with everyone. He was an avid cruiser, and loved to book, research, give advice and mostly take cruises. He was bitten by the travel bug early in life, and took so much pride in sharing his knowledge and experiences with others. I often told him he should be a travel agent. His favorite ports were Curacao, St. Thomas, Grand Cayman and Aruba. He especially loved to soak up the sun, and visit the best beaches the Caribbean has to offer.
Brian’s pride and joy was being the eight-time belly flop champion on Royal Caribbean, and he has the medals to prove it. He was also once named Potbelly customer of the month.
To say he was a friend to many is an understatement. He had poker friends, football friends, school friends, friends from work, drinking friends, friends from chemo, boating friends, and pretty much friends from everything he has done in his life. His friends meant the whole world to him.
In addition to his wife, Michelle, left to celebrate Brian’s extraordinary life are his father Greg Herbert, brother Mike and sister-in-law Debbie, his beloved nieces and nephews: Justin, Zack, Kailey, Michael, Jake, Paige, Claire, Liam, Mallory, Darrian and Luke. Brian also leaves behind many aunts, uncles, cousins, beloved in-law family members, and so many friends from around the country. We often joked that we could not go anywhere without him running into someone he knew, and that included the hospital when he was being treated.
The Herbert family has been deeply touched by the tributes, kind words, encouragement and the many people who have shared how much Brian impacted their lives. He was truly
one-of-a-kind and will be missed tremendously. We find great comfort in knowing that Brian’s bright smile will shine forever in our hearts. He would want everyone to continue to live life to the fullest.
You only have one life to live. Take the trip, eat the cake, buy the shoes.
Rest in paradise, sweet Brian.
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I love you my son. Say hi to Mom for me and enjoy her cooking. I remember Mom and I picking your name, Brian = an addition, and Joseph = the strong one. We were lucky to be your parents.
I'm sorry for the family's loss, Brian was, and still is an inspiration to so many people, he was always there to lift others up and jump to help those in need.
Brian was selfless. Brian was one of a kind. He helped me fall in love with Bloodys! Michelle once told me that someday I will find “my Brian.” Everyone deserves a Brian in their life. Everyone who was blessed to know him will have a hole in their lives. His memory will live on in all those he touched. Love to his family and amazing wife!
My condolences to Brian’s family. He had a way of making everyone laugh and smile. He truly was one of a kind.
Although Brian and I were never close, I remember all of the fun he had growing up on Bangs Lake. His FB tributes only show how he will be missed.
Oh Brian there are really no words in the world that will accurately describe the wonderful guy you were. My life was forever changed for the better when I met you and Michelle. Two of the most selfless loving humans ever and I feel truly blessed to call you guys friends. Although time with you here was cut WAY to short, I will cherish the memories we did make. Charity events, color runs when it’s pouring rain out, and dinners that some how turned into hours of laughing and story telling. Whenever I eat a donut or use Bitmojis I’ll think of you. I am very happy that the last time I saw you was when you were happy and healthy enough to be driving around your new jeep (thank you for the driveway visit) I am happy you aren’t in pain anymore. I just keep telling heather that wherever our souls end up has to be a great place because it has so many amazing people there. When you find Haley try not to play to many jokes but I love signs from you guys. I will deeply miss you forever Herbert. I love you with all my butt!
Reading the tributes here or online made me cry and smile. Everyone is describing the guy I knew. I'm learning more & more about this incredible man and the imprint that he left on these people and on this earth. He sure was a good one and will be missed.
He was truly one of a kind. We met on a boat way back when. A chance meeting at a dinner table with his group and mine led to a friendship from a far for gosh 18 years or so. To see all the goodness he spread in those years amazed us all. He will be missed for sure by so many. Prayers are with you Michelle and all the family and friends.
Brian taught me an important lesson... Never play poker with anyone whose first or last name is Herbert. What an amazing, inspiring and wonderful person!
Brian was a wonderful part of my high school life. It was great to connect again as adults and see the wonderful work he and Michelle were doing with CKMC. He was always such a positive, fun, happy guy. The world was a better place because of him and he will be missed.
I have so much to say, but Michelle, Greg, Debbie, Mike, Justin, Zack, and the rest of the family, not a day gots by that I haven’t thought of Brian and all of you. In the almost 21 years that I have known Brian I never once heard or saw him be crabby. And if he was he certainly didn’t show it. Some of you know how much I hate fantasy football, but I know next season I will truly miss the phone calls between Adam and Brian. Brian, we will love and miss you! Please take good care of your mom and Abby :)
To the entire family from Bill Rumachiks mom. I am so sorry for your loss. Brian was always so kind and quiet. I know that he was in so much pain and now is pain free. Again we send condolences from Debbie Schreiber and the Rumachik family.
Brian-you really are someone that I could never forget and I feel so very blessed to have known you and Michelle. There was just something about your character and personality that reached others and made them feel special and for that I thank you. The world is at a loss without you and I’m so sad for those that lost you, but more for those that didn’t get the chance yet. You stood out in a crowd and found connections with everyone. While I continue to cry over your loss, I will use your profound loss to better myself and try to appreciate more and do better. Life will not be the same-I love you sweet friend and I’ll miss you forever. Xoxoxo
Absolutely gone too soon, countless lives touched. The angels clearly needed Brian with them as he is a support warrior and will continue to shine his love of life down to the rest of us. Our sympathies and heartfelt healing wishes to Michelle, his entire family, and closest friends. I know the list is long, he was one of a kind and will be greatly missed.
I will miss his sly wit and snarky comments at the draft. I will miss the merciless fun made of people( usually me ) after a bonehead trade or roster move. I will miss you Brian Tim
Most of my memories of Brian are through Michelle's conversations about him. He was the Best Husband Ever. Kind, funny, supportive and always open for a new adventure. Rest well, Brian. You made the world a better place.
My deepest condolences and love to Michelle and the family. Brian and Michelle were an amazing couple to be around. As I've said before Brian was one of the most incredible, caring, giving men I've ever known. His devotion and generosity towards other people was truly amazing. I was a better person for knowing him. There are not enough words to desribe how much he will be missed.
Brian was truly an amazing human being. I first met him in grade school when we first moved to the area. He was nice to me since I was the new kid in class. After HS I would run into him at various concerts, festivals and bars. I will always remind him having a big heart and full of life. My condolences to his wife, family and friends. May the light he glowed shine on in your hearts.
I never saw Brian without a smile. Always fun to hang out with. He was an inspirational cousin; always willing to help out those others in need. Brian cheerfully volunteered his own time helping to make the world a better place. We are all lucky to have someone like him as part of our lives
To Brian's wife family, family and friends, especially Joe and Cinnamon Kettner, I send my deepest condolences. I HOPE that all of your wonderful memories help you conquer each day ahead. There are good ships and there are wood ships, the ships that sail the sea. But the best ships, are friendships, and may they always be. Godspeed, Brian.
Brian is truly one of my oldest friends. I will miss his birthday notes, his funny posts but mostly the example he’s set for so many people to be a better human. He made the world a better place!
I didn’t see Brian too often these last several years but when I did, I was quickly reminded how sweet a person he was. Just a great guy to talk with, always seemed happy and good natured. My thoughts are with Greg, Mike and the rest of the family. Gone way too soon. Tony
Brian's great sense of humor, smile, laughter, and kindness, to just name a few of his great qualities, are already missed. The world has lost such a great man. May we all step up to do more, show more love and be kinder in Brian's name. ❤ My sincere condolences to Michelle and all of Brian's family and friends. love "crash"
Brian will be missed. He was always was the funniest guy in the room. I have not seen him for years, but he still went out of his way to send a message of hope when I was fighting breast cancer. You can see how many lives he has impacted through the memories and messages.
I haven’t seen Brian for sometime other than following on FB. He was definitely one of a kind. His memory will live on, he left a major void in everyone’s heart that knew him. Sad to see you left this world at such a young age but happy you are no longer suffering & in a better even happier place.
My sincere condolences to the whole family. Brian was a sweetheart.
Grief is an unending journey; Karla and I wish you all well as you move forward. Blessings.
I hardly knew Brian but it didn’t take long to know what a great person he was. Best wishes to his family and friends.
I only knew Brian through e-mail (he was my contact through work), but he was one of a kind. It's not often you find someone who shares your love of obscure punk bands and can introduce you to new ones, and I will genuinely miss our conversations. My deepest sympathies to all who knew and loved him, and may his memory bring you joy and comfort in the years to come.