Raymond D. Brochstein

On March 25, 2022, Raymond D. Brochstein, vintage 1932, passed away at the home he designed, built, cherished and meticulously maintained. He was a man of profound loyalty to his family, friends, and Rice University with a deep passion for millwork, architecture and art. While publicly he upheld an image of respectability and stature, his inner child was well known to those close to him through his sense of humor, storytelling and an almost prodigious memory for dirty limericks. No one knew his rascally side better than his adoring and beloved wife, Susan, with whom he was fortunate to have enjoyed 62 exciting and adventurous years. Another pivotal year ending in a two for Raymond was 1962, the year he joined his father, uncle and cousin in the family business, Brochsteins Inc., full time. His younger brother would join them a few years later. Raymond navigated his long career growing from a summer helper, sanding under the watchful eye of his father, to chairman of the board, advising the younger generation on the merits of conversion varnish vs catalyzed lacquer, SOSS vs pivot hinges, and all things related to exotic wood veneer species and matching. He was a mentor to many. He shared his passion for millwork with architects, general contractors and wonderful owners from Baker Botts to the Getty Museum in Los Angeles. It took a worldwide pandemic to end his daily visits to the factory. In more recent years his greatest passion was giving of himself to Rice University, the institution that provided a free education to him and awarded him an Architecture degree in 1956 despite the fact that he occasionally used "quirky" colors on his renderings when his classmates changed the labels on his watercolor paints. Sometimes it takes friends to gently point out your blind spots whether they related to color or other things! He was a very active alum participating on the board of trustees and various committees over the course of many years, including his favorites, Building and Grounds and The Moody Center for the Arts. Sadly, we regret to inform the Public Art Committee that he is unable to attend critical meetings this Spring. Never one to beat around the bush, he was a great advocate for a younger generation who refused to be hidebound. His spirit will live on in the Pavilion on the Rice Campus. He was genuinely well respected and accomplished as proven by the many awards and honors he received which are too numerous to delineate here, but highlights include a Fellowship in the AIA and the Gold Medal Award for service to Rice University. He will be missed by many, especially his son, Benjamin, his daughter, Deborah, and his amazing granddaughter, Rachel. A celebration of his life will be announced at a future date. If you wish to remember Raymond with a donation, please make a gift in his memory to The Moody Center for the Arts or the Rice University School of Architecture. No flowers please.

Raymond D. Brochstein

November 21, 1932 - March 25, 2022