Brian Carson Bernwanger of Corpus Christi, Texas, passed away on December 16, 2024.

He was born in El Campo, Texas, on February 15, 1952 to D.C. Bernwanger, MD and Frances Bernwanger, the youngest of their four children. Soon after, he moved with his family to Corpus Christi, Texas. Brian thrived on the Gulf Coast, developing a love for fishing and talent and love for surfing that would shape his life. He was a well-rounded athlete; he also played varsity football for Ray High School, where he made lifelong friends. Brian graduated in 1970.  Football took him to Texas Tech, where he played on the defensive line for the Red Raiders team that won the Gator Bowl in 1973. Landlocked in Lubbock, when the school year ended, Brian loaded up his surfboards and spent the summer chasing swells up and down the west coast.

Brian graduated from Texas Tech in 1974 and considered a life of pro football. After spring training with the Chicago Bears, he decided it wasn't for him, and followed the waves across the globe for a life of travel, adventure, work and surfing. He worked for a while in Venezuela and co-led a gold mining expedition in Costa Rica. He began his oilfield work in south Texas and eventually began working in the oil industry in Indonesia, which not coincidentally has incredible surf. He married Barbara Mosley on May 1, 1982 and brought her to Indonesia with him, where they made a beautiful home and started their family. Brian surfed all over the islands, where he became known to locals as tuan besar--the big man.

After Indonesia, Brian's career took him to Pakistan, India, Australia, Malaysia, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Kurdistan, and Egypt. He always returned to his home of Corpus Christi, eventually retiring there.

Brian loved the ocean. When injuries prevented him from surfing, he paddled out anyway, just to be in the water. And when he stopped surfing, he still had fishing. When the fish weren't biting, his creative use of swimming pool noodles and flippers usually turned the day around. He cooked what he caught himself, and his family and friends will always remember his bountiful fish fries.

Brian's family will never forget his booming voice, his playful and generous spirit, or how to say "watch out! be careful!" in Bahasa Indonesian--which he called out constantly to his children, nieces, and nephews, as they ran wild around the adults.

He is survived by his former wife, Barbara Bernwanger, his daughters, Bree Bernwanger and Britt King (William), his three granddaughters Rylee King, Blake King, and Emmerson King, his sister, Sherry Putman, and brother Mark Bernwanger.

A friend and family gathering will take place on January 25th.