The Brigham City and Utah State University communities are mourning the unexpected passing of Brian Adin Droubay, 43, who died on December 3, 2025. His loss has left a void that those who loved him say can never truly be filled. Brian was born on July 9, 1982, in Brigham City, Utah, to Wendell Paul and Kathleen Nielsen Droubay. From the very beginning, he lived with a spirit of adventure, curiosity, and joy that would shape the life he built and the people he touched.
Brian often spoke fondly of his childhood, describing it as nothing short of epic. He loved to recall days spent roaming the neighborhood from sunup to sundown with his closest friends, moving from house to house, stirring up mischief, and creating memories that remained some of his most cherished. Those carefree days—filled with scraped knees, bikes, games, and imaginative adventures—helped shape the openness, humor, and warmth that defined him throughout his life.
On April 11, 2002, Brian married his high school sweetheart and best friend, Heather Marchant, in the Manti Utah Temple. For the next 23 years, they built a life anchored in love, laughter, and shared dreams. Together they raised four children—Meg, Adin, Grace, and Jane—each of whom brought him immeasurable joy and purpose. His family was the center of his world, the place where he felt most at peace and most himself.
Professionally, Brian devoted his life to helping others. He served as a professor of social work at Utah State University, where he was admired as a diligent researcher, gifted instructor, and an empathetic mentor. Outside the classroom, he operated a private mental health practice, where he brought compassion, insight, and dedication to every client he served. Brian’s heart was always tuned to those on the margins—children in need, incarcerated individuals, people without housing, or anyone facing hardship. Those close to him say he was born with a social worker’s soul and lived his professional life with purpose, integrity, and humility. Many students credit him with shaping their careers, not only through his teaching but through his example of service, advocacy, and genuine care.
Brian’s passions stretched far beyond his academic and professional accomplishments. He had a deep love for space and delighted in showing the stars to his family through his telescope or by sharing the meteorite samples he collected over the years. Music, however, may have been the love that ran closest to his core. A talented musician with a rich singing voice, he listened to nearly every genre and bonded with his children over concerts, playlists, and long car rides filled with shared favorites. He was famously opinionated about what constituted “elite” music, a claim his children affectionately supported. His playlists included everything from Radiohead and The Arctic Monkeys to The Strokes and Fontaines D.C., though jazz—his beloved Bill Evans, John Coltrane, and Miles Davis—always remained closest to his heart. He often said he felt jazz “in his bones,” and live jazz clubs were among his happiest places.
Brian also loved big cities, with New York City holding a special place in his heart. The noise, the energy, the culture—every part of it invigorated him. It fed something in his soul that nowhere else could. Yet for all his appreciation of the world’s bustle, he was equally fulfilled by the quiet comforts of home. An introvert at heart, Brian treasured evenings spent in his recliner with a heated blanket, a bowl of cereal, and his beloved cat, Priscilla, who rarely left his side. Their bond was unmistakable, and she has been deeply affected by his absence.
Above all, Brian adored his family. He planned unforgettable vacations—especially the family-favorite Disneyland trips—where he carefully mapped out every detail, including the “off days” he took pride in perfecting. He cherished movie nights, board games, teasing his kids, and his playful reminders not to be a “donglewonger.” Home was his refuge, his joy, and the place where his loss is felt most profoundly.
Brian is survived by his wife, Heather, and their four children; his parents, Wendell and Kathy Droubay; and his siblings Greg (Kim), Jeff (Amy), Kimber (Mike), Mike (Melaniel), and Chris (Jenifer). He also leaves behind many nieces and nephews to whom he was deeply connected.
A Celebration of Life will be held Tuesday, December 9, 2025, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Utah State University–Brigham City building. Friends and family are invited to gather, share stories, and honor the life of a man whose kindness, humor, brilliance, and devotion will forever be remembered.