Brian William Kramer

Brian William Kramer, 83, passed in the early morning on Sunday, May 25, 2025, in the home he shared with his wife, Mari (Carmean) Kramer at his side. Brian was born in San Diego, CA nineteen days after the attack on Pearl Harbor, HI in 1941, to Col. Willam F. Kramer and Evelyn J. (Hake) Kramer. Brian’s father was a Marine Corp officer that served in the Pacific during WWII. His mother came from a Naval military family. Growing up, the Kramer family lived in thirteen locations from 1941 to 1959 from the west coast to the east coast to Guam to Naples, Italy to Pearl Harbor, HI to Fort Sill, OK. Brian’s life experiences living in all these locations helped form his character. Following graduation from Marion Military Institute in Marion, AL, Brian joined the Navy. Brian trained in Great Lakes, IL, Bainbridge, MD, Vallejo, CA, Idaho Falls, ID, and New London, CT. Brian’s first duty station was on the Island of San Salvador in the Bahamas where he operated and maintained base electrical generating systems, water, and sewer facilities. After completing submarine and nuclear power training, Brian was on the commissioning crew for the U.S.S. James Monroe (SSBN-622) (Blue) from February 1964 to January 1966 out of Charleston, SC, responsible for reactor testing, operation and maintenance. His next assignment was to the USS Chivo (SS-341), a diesel submarine from January to May 1966 followed by the Naval Enlisted Scientific Education Program at the University of Idaho in Moscow, ID. It was while taking part in the NESEP program that a service-connected medical disability was discovered, and he was honorably discharged from the Navy as EN1 (SS) in 1968. Brian met Constance E. Jensen while training at the Idaho Falls training facility. They married on October 16, 1963, in Boise, ID and divorced in January 1991. Following discharge from the Navy, they lived in Blackfoot, ID. In 1968 they adopted son Eric and in 1970 daughter Stephanie. Brian attended Idaho State University and graduated in 1971 with a BS in Civil Engineering. Brian then started his over 25-year career with the U.S. Forest Service. Brian was a licensed professional engineer in Idaho, Washington, and Oregon. Brian worked as a Civil Engineer on the Wallowa-Whitman NF (1971-74), Nez Perce NF (1974-78), Clearwater NF (1978-79), Olympic NF (1979-81), R6 Regional Office in Timber Management (1981-1989). In 1976-1978 Brian attended graduate school at Oregon State University, receiving a Masters in Forest Engineering. The final four years with the Forest Service, through an agreement between the Forest Service and Oregon State University, Brian taught in the College of Forestry, Forest Engineering Department. Following retirement from the Forest Service in 1989, OSU hired Brian as a Senior Instructor. Always learning, Brian received a Master’s degree in Civil Engineering in 1993. He retired from teaching at OSU in 2003. Brian and Mari Carmean met in 1990 and were married in June 1992. They enjoyed and were blessed with almost 33 years of married life. Brian always worked hard to reach his life goals, no matter the obstacles. One of his Navy evaluations said “Kramer is one of the most determined men yet encountered. While he is extremely knowledgeable in rate and performs in an outstanding manner, he continually strives to learn more and, in so doing performs a task in 100% plus fashion.” He truly had a joyful presence, boisterous sense of humor, infectious smile and laugh and a caring generous heart which he freely shared and as numerous life-long friends, colleagues, students and family members can attest to. To honor and remember him, follow his advice: Every day is a good day! Look for the good in every day; and Seize the Day – Carpe Diem! Brian is survived by wife Mari (Carmean) Kramer of Corvallis, OR; Son Eric Kramer of Blackfoot, ID; Daughter Stephanie Noble (Charles) of Milwaukie, OR; and Brother Steven Kramer (Wendy) of Pebble Beach, CA, and two nieces and four nephews. Preceded in death by Father Col. William F. Kramer, Mother Evelyn (Hake) Kramer, Sister Michele (Kramer) Neidermeyer, and former spouse Constance (Jensen) Kramer. Per Brian’s wishes, no services will be held.

Brian William Kramer

December 26, 1941 - May 25, 2025