Remembering Gary Brown

We are sad to say that we have lost an important and respected member of the PEC family with the recent passing of Gary R. Brown, who served on PEC’s Board of Directors for over 20 years and chaired the Finance Committee. While Gary contributed greatly to our work and success during that time, his board service is only one piece of the legacy he leaves as an engineer, business leader, and citizen.

In 1988 Gary founded RT Environmental Services, an environmental consulting and remediation firm, which remains one of PEC’s valued partners and supporters to this day. Justin Lauterbach, his colleague and successor at RT, shared the news along with some reflections on Gary’s life and career:

It is with a heavy heart and great sadness that we inform you of the passing of RT’s founder, Gary R. Brown. Gary was recently diagnosed with cancer and passed away quickly and peacefully amidst the treatment process.

Gary was a highly respected engineer and entrepreneur who possessed a great depth of knowledge and expertise in the fields of environmental science and engineering. His contributions to the industry and his clients are incalculable. His energy and drive for his work was second to none, and he possessed an ability to connect with all those with whom he worked. Anyone who met Gary can attest to his professionalism, sincerity and caring nature. He always had the best of intentions for everyone and an unmatched excitement for his work. He supported his clients and colleagues completely and unfailingly with a type of fervor unique to only him. Many of his clients and colleagues considered him a great friend, and he has had a profound impact on all those around him.

Gary graduated from Syracuse University in 1973 with a degree in Environmental Engineering. He was a licensed professional engineer in more than 25 states and testified as an expert witness in numerous federal court cases that have received national media attention. Gary founded RT in 1988 and was the centerpiece of the organization he built for more than 30 years. He mentored many and nurtured the career growth of numerous employees over the years, many of whom still remain at RT to this day.

Our thoughts and prayers are with Gary’s family. They have advised that services will be private and have asked that donations be made to a charity of the donor’s choice in Gary’s memory.

We at RT are deeply grateful for his friendship and mentorship and are committed to continuing Gary’s legacy. RT is currently considering ways to appropriately honor Gary’s professional legacy, and additional details will follow.

PEC joins RT and countless others who have known and worked with Gary over the years in expressing our deepest condolences to his family and friends, as well as our gratitude and admiration for a life well-lived.