R. Brian O’Donnell
February 15, 1945-May 31, 2011

On May 31, 2011 after a long and very difficult 25 year struggle with Multiple Sclerosis, Brian O’Donnell died peacefully at Marin Convalescent and Rehabilitation Hospital in Tiburon, California. Brian was in the company of his family during his last days.

Brian was born on February 15, 1945 in Washington, D.C. to Patrick E. O’Donnell and Martha Brothers O’Donnell. He grew up with his brother, Owen, and his sister, Karen, in Arlington, Virginia. He was an outstanding athlete in high school with one state championship as a wrestler and the winner of two national championships as an oarsman for the Potomac Boat Club in an eight-oared shell; he considered 5 seat in the ‘engine room’ home. He also rowed at the Royal Henley Regatta in Henley, England in the summer of 1962. Brian rowed for the legendary Coach Charlie Butt whom he greatly respected and admired. Brian’s fond memories of his time with W&L Crew remained a big part of his life and of those around him, as he never missed a chance to share his memories, numerous triumphs, hard work, and the tremendous camaraderie he enjoyed with his coach and teammates. There is no doubt that his rowing memories were some of his most treasured. Brian continued his athletic career by running in several marathons while living in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Brian served two years in the U.S. Marine Corps in the mid-1960’s. He completed his undergraduate education at Georgetown University and obtained a MBA degree from the Haas School of Business, University of California at Berkeley in 1973. He started his business career as a stockbroker in San Francisco before becoming a bank regulator and bank examiner.

Brian married Mary P. Wilson, who he had met in 1964 in Arlington, Virginia, on
August 21, 1971 and they had two daughters, Shannon Kathleen and Shawn Kelly. Brian and Mary lived first in Berkeley, California and then moved to Danville, California where his two daughters were raised. Brian and Mary divorced in 1990, and Brian lived at various times in San Francisco, Lafayette, Walnut Creek, and finally in Tiburon.

Brian had a wonderful sense of humor, a wry smile and a very compelling personality that intrigued almost everyone he met. He was an avid fly fisherman, who loved Northern California trout streams.

Brian was a devoted father to his two daughters, Shannon and Shawn. As a father he loved to make pancakes on Saturday mornings for his girls. He rarely missed a soccer game or a track meet in supporting his daughters’ athletic endeavors.
He was predeceased by his father Patrick E. O’Donnell and his mother, Martha Brothers O’Donnell along with numerous aunts and uncles and his grandparents on both sides of his family. He is survived by his two daughters, Shannon O’Donnell of Las Vegas, Nevada and Shawn O’Donnell currently in Cairo, Egypt, his brother, Owen, of San Francisco, California and his sister, Karen, of Richmond, Massachusetts.

Please join family and friends for a memorial service at 11:30 a.m. on July 30, 2011 at the Cal Boathouse, 2909 Glascock St., Oakland, CA. Donations in Brian's name may be made to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society at 773 Third Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10017.