Bertram Carlisle Brewer was a designer, mathematician, artist, inventor, and supporter of the arts. He was affectionately known as Bert and "Grandpa" and rarely met a stranger over the course of his life.
Bert was born in his grandmother's Cleveland, Ohio home to Mary Bradford Brewer and Bertram Carlisle Brewer on August 6, 1936. He attended Cleveland public schools and participated in extracurricular arts classes at the Cleveland Institute of Art as well as studied violin in his young life. In the late 1950s, Bert studied design engineering at Case Western and Purdue Universities. Just before completing his degree course work, he accepted a position as an aerospace design engineer at North American Rockwell in Los Angeles, California.
During the 1960s at North American Rockwell, Bert worked on a number of Apollo space missions. For a brief period during the late 1960s, he worked at Lockheed as a designer on military fighter jets. He returned to Rockwell in the early 1970s to begin work on a "new" project, a reusable spacecraft to be called the Space Shuttle. He continued designing for the Space Shuttle program through the end of his professional design career.
Throughout his work career, Bert was always engaged in one or more creative projects – painting, ceramics, building clocks, etc., which he attended to evenings after coming home from work. The home garage was his pseudo studio and laboratory. He produced many beautiful objects over the course of his life. Bert was also an avid card player and participated in my card clubs through his adult life.
Shortly after his retirement in the late 1990s, Bert moved from Carson, California to Marietta, Georgia. After settling in Marietta, Bert embarked on a major project – an online retail art gallery. After acquiring a host of technological skills at Rockwell during his engineering career, Bert decided to create an online retail outlet to sell artwork created by African American artists. Many people dismissed his proposal, but that just gave Bert more incentive to pursue his idea. He passed the idea by his grandchildren and asked them what he should call the new business. Their response was "Grandpa's Art". Thus Grandpasart.com was born and became one of the top online retailers of visual art produced by African American through the 2000s. Bert continued to work his business through the final weeks of his life.
Bert was a Christian and deeply spiritual person. He held strong convictions about his belief system and his role in the world. Bert died peacefully in his sleep in his Marietta home in the early morning hours of Friday, November 15.
Bert was married twice and both marriages ended in divorce. His is survived by his sister, Eugenia Brewer of Atlanta, Georgia; his children from his first marriage, Camille A. Brewer of Chicago, Illinois, David B. Brewer of McDonough, Georgia, and Michael Brewer of Marietta, Georgia; and his grandchildren, Jazelle Bellavance Irons of Chicago, Illinois, Brittany M. Brewer of North Miami, Florida, Brandon D. Brewer of Los Angeles, California, and E'lexis A. Brewer of Powder Springs, Georgia. He is also survived by his niece and nephews, Althea Artis, Mark Artis, and Tony L. Martin, Jr.; in-laws Monique A. Brewer and Jarrett Irons; loving cousins in Cleveland, Ohio; and dear friends he adopted as family members over the years.
Funeral services will be held Monday November 18 at 1 PM in the chapel of Winkenhofer Pine Ridge Funeral Home with Minister Harley Griffin officiating. Interment will follow at Kennesaw Memorial Park in Marietta. The family will receive friends between the hours of 11 AM and 1 PM Monday at the funeral home.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
November 21, 2013
Larry Poncho Brown
A one of a kind jewel. Thank you for always knowing what to say through difficult times. Thank you for supporting me, and my art....for ordering that extra print just to make your order a round even number:)A giant man in a small package. R.I.P.
November 21, 2013
Paula George
So sorry to hear about his passing. I was honored to meet "Grandpa" once in Georgia during the Art on Tour festival right after 9/11. What a gracious man! Rest in peace, and condolences to your family!
November 20, 2013
Alice Adams
I thank God for the many wonderful times my cousin and I shared... We both loved the Lord and were always happy when we could read and discuss so many wonderful things about our Lord and Savior... My prayer is that our family at-large will get together and let the love for each other grow on for the next generation to share... Bert will truly be missed however, he left us to carry on till we meet again on that "Great Day"...
November 20, 2013
Anthony Armstrong
Bert You will so greatly missed. You were a inspiration to me and helped me through some difficult times in my life. You patronized my art and everytime we spoke, your laughter help to uplift my day. My condolences to your family and friends. Sincerely,
Anthony Armstrong
November 19, 2013
Kani Ayubu
Rest in Peace "Grandpa". Heard a lot about you but unfortunately I never had the opportunity to meet you. We will all try to carry on your legacy and keep your family in our hearts and prayers.
November 19, 2013
Charles Bibbs
We are sadden that you had to leave us. But we are so happy that you lived and played an important part of so many other lives. You were and will continue to be a giant amongst the millions of artists and art lovers of the world. I for one, Charles Bibbs will never forget you, I solute you as a man of all seasons, and because your deeds will be perceived as legendary.
Charles A. Bibbs
November 19, 2013
Elaine Bibbs
I'm gonna miss my buddy,and the fun and laughter we shared on the phone. His wit, sweet-spirit, and the impact he made in the art community will always be remembered.
Blessings to the Brewer Family.
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Winkenhofer Pine Ridge Funeral Home2950 North Cobb Pkwy, Kennesaw, GA 30152
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