Don Brewer

Don Brewer, an electrical engineer who had a lifelong love of trains, died in Petaluma on Oct. 1, 2009. He was 84.

Born in Madison, Wis., Mr. Brewer graduated from the University of Wisconsin as an electrical engineer in 1947 and immediately started to work at General Electric in Schenectady, N.Y. as a test engineer and instructor in diesel electric locomotives.

This started a lifelong interest in, and love of, trains — both diesel and steam. After 11 years at G.E., he moved on to other electrical engineering fields, especially that of electric controls for plant automation. His work in dairy and food plants, industrial machinery plants, wastewater management and geothermal facilities sent him to every state in the union, including Alaska and Hawaii and France, Japan and Iceland.

After living in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and Janesville, Wis., for 10 years, Mr. Brewer and his wife, Lois, moved to Petaluma in 1974. He worked for various engineering firms in San Francisco, Emeryville, Oakland and San Jose before he retired in 1996.

Mr. Brewer was a member of the Instrument Society of America and a member and past president of the Northwestern Pacific Railroad Historical Society. In retirement he enjoyed working on the restoration of the railroad society’s caboose.

He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Lois Brewer of Petaluma; three children, David Brewer of Kyle, Texas, Roberta Lotter of Rosamond, Calif. and Randall Brewer Bennington, Neb; and four grandchildren.

A private celebration of life will be held at a later date. The family was assisted by Parent-Sorensen Mortuary & Crematory.