April 11, 2007
I have known Brian for the past 8 years training in Hakkoryu Jujutsu. He was my Sensei, mentor and friend. Sensei Workman was an amazing man; gentle, compassionate and kind. I will miss him dearly and will always cherish our fond and fun memories of training. His spirit will live forever in my heart. Our prayers are with Susan and Jan.
Lillian Nigo
April 06, 2007
It was an honor to have known such a kind person. Thank you Brian for all your wisdom you gave freely. You will be missed. Love, Hope Elliott, CNA
Hope Elliott
March 29, 2007
Brian Workman, my close personal friend of 39 years, was as perfect as a human being could possibly be. His graciousness was unmatched. He would purposefully duplicate another’s clumsiness to allow them to save face. The thoroughness that he applied to everything he undertook could hardly be equalled. His personal charm and humor made him a joy to be around. I recall an occasion, after he and Susan had visited us, finding in our garden our decorative ceramic duck apparently consuming a bottle of beer and our garden Buddha wearing a turban!
From my observation, a more loving husband and father could not be found. How lucky are all of us who have had the opportunity to be touched by Brian’s prescence. A man among men and an absolute joy to be around, he stands out as the type of person we would all like to be. Lovely Susan completed Brian’s life and made it perfect! A happy man who lived a very satisfying life, and I know he considered it so.
Susan and Jan, wonderfully successful individuals in their own right, have to know how greatly they contributed to Brian’s success and happiness. Brian continues to live through the legacy of his influence upon all of us who were privileged to know him.
Phil Keene
March 26, 2007
I met Brian 25 years ago when he became my Teacher, Mentor and Friend. He was Kind, honest, and talented, and is among the greatest men I have ever met. I will miss him.
My prayers go out to Susan and Jan.
Steven Glaser
March 26, 2007
My heart goes out to Susie and Jan for their loss.
I worked with both Susie and Brian at US Bank International Banking and later with Brian at US World Trade Corp. Brian always had a smile and kind word and was a delightful person to work with. His keen sense of humour brightened up many a workday.
I am glad to have known such an exceptionally kind and gifted gentleman. The world was briefly a better place for his being in it.
Kathleen (Kat) Hartley
March 26, 2007
To The Family of Brian Workman:
Offering only condolences to the family of Brian Workman seems far too inadequate for someone who has given so much to me, our family as well as to everyone he met, taught and befriended.
Brian Workman epitomized the true essence of a traditional Samurai. His sincerity, frugality, loyalty to his family and to Hakkoryu Jujutsu, along with his unwavering integrity and a deep sense of honor all convey what a truly special person he was.
For nearly 19 years, I had the honor of training Hakkoryu Jujutsu with Brian, although, admittedly, apprehensively on occasion. Brian’s proficiency in Hakkoryu is renowned worldwide. His talent for recalling – in infinite detail, the exact technique, the history surrounding the technique, it’s origin, applications and affect the technique may have on your bodily system was enlightening to say the least. On more than one occasion, there were techniques applied with such precision that I swore to have found Nirvana through the sincerity of the pain he was applying, but I, like many others, always returned for more of his teachings.
Having received his Kaiden Shihan Sandaikichu Ranking (The highest rank given by the Head Master of Hakkoryu) at such a young age, Sensei (teacher) Workman strived to provide the continued support and instruction of Hakkoryu. For over 35 years, Sensei Workman provided countless hours of support with the patenting of Hakkoryu in the United States and worldwide as well as providing advice, both legally and advisory, to ensure that the original direction and tradition of Hakkoryu continued for eternity – All without any hesitation.
In the teachings of Hakkoryu, Sensei Workman and others learned to live life to its fullest potential and approach life without hesitation, apprehension or fear. Sensei Workman applied these teachings to and with everything he did. To exemplify this, he took up skydiving. Of course, many thought of this as a crazed, life changing, midlife crisis event, but this, to me, was just another step in the direction of making oneself more proficient in Hakkoryu as well as in life. This exemplified, to me that Brian continued to live his life as a Samurai – without hesitation or fear and putting the concerns of others ahead of his own.
Sensei Workman will continue to live through his memories within us. He lives happily in my mind and body through the scars and sprains that I gladly accepted from him. He will continue to live within us and through us by our actions as I, among others, strive to be as much a man, a gentleman and father as he was.
If I could return only a portion of what he has given to me, it would require a lifetime which I would gladly give.
Gordon Kiyokawa and Family
March 25, 2007
My heartfelt condolences to Susan and Jan and Brian’s family over this tragic accident. He gave so much to others especially through his martial arts where he instilled confidence in so many young men and women which carried over to other parts of their lives. I only met Susan a few times but it was obvious that she brought so much happiness to him. It is a privilege to have known him and been part of his life if only for a short time.
Sally Workman
March 25, 2007
To the Workman family: I’d like to express my heartfelt sympathy for the loss of Brian in such a tragic accident. I came to know this wonderful family while working for the Doernbecher Foundation in the mid-80’s. Your family’s closness, strength of character, and love and support of one another will sustain you in this difficult time. I truly understand your pain as I lost my mother in an automobile accident two years ago. The shock of losing someone so quickly, without the opportunity for good-byes, is devastating. May time ease your pain and your wonderful memories sustain you until you see Brain again in Heaven.
God Bless you all,
Fondly, Sally Evans
March 24, 2007
I knew Brian over the course of several years. He was a joy to know, full of life and humor and saw life sometimes as a child would experience life. He delighted in providing stories and humorous tales to his nieces and nephews. On one occasion, he via his father-in law coaxed me into presenting packages of marshmellows on bushes and a package of these at the front door for the mail service to pickup and then drove these unsuspecting young ones by my home and told them that I grew marshmellows! And I think they believed him. I know that all my neighbors who knew the story were in stitches. He had such a way with life and simple pleasures,,,,joy, humor and love! Leola Bowerman
Leola Bowerman
March 23, 2007
I would like my deepest condolences to be known to Brians side of the family. Susie has been a dear friend of mine since we were kids and I am obviously standing by her side and her families side to help them through this tragety. But to Brian’s family I am so very sorry for your loss. Brian made such a difference to so many lives and you all should be proud of the roll you have played in making him the kind of man he was. Brians memeory will forever live on in all of our hearts.
Debbie Williams
March 23, 2007
Brian was always the most kind man with the most loving eyes for his wife, my dear friend Susan (Susie to all of her old gang!). He was so pleasant to talk to as he made you feel important and he engaged fully with you. Susan and Brian were an example of true love, affection, compassion and respect in a relationship. My heart goes out to all who will miss him.
Janet Covey
March 22, 2007
I hadn’t seen Brian in many years (perhaps 15), but he used to be my brother-in-law — married to my sister, Sally Workman, from 1976-1986. He was a special person and a delightful brother-in-law, always there when needed and fun to conspire with about family pranks and plans. Sally remained in contact with him after their divorce and occasionally mentioned to me haven spoken with him. I was happy to know that he’d moved on and was enjoying life, and I was horrified to hear about the tragic accident that claimed his life. I haven’t met Susan, but if Brian loved her she must be wonderful, and I hope that she’ll recover fully from the injuries she sustained in the accident and that she’ll find a way to move on without Brian. My deepest sympathies to her, the rest of Brian’s family, and everyone else who knew him and will miss him.
Laurie Yadon
March 22, 2007
Brian was such a special person in our family, born the day after our daughter, the son of dear friends, and the connection has remained.
My husband admired him greatly. We were so happy when he found Susan After my husband died, he was always the friendly, thoughtful, outgoing person that every one loves to know.
My grief for his family is huge; I wish there were some time to celebrate what he has brought into all our lives. I’ve been watching for a date.
I wish there were a better way to share my compassion with his family.
Mary Huisman
March 21, 2007
Our thoughts and prayers are with all the family members and close friends. We will say a special prayer at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday the 22nd.
Remember that your
loss is shared
by many friends who care
and that you’re in our
thoughts and hearts
and in our every prayerMay you find the courage
to face tomorrow
in the love that surrounds
you today.May the love of friends and family
be a source of comfort to you
at this timeAt this time of sorrow
may these truths sustain you..
…your loved one will always be
as close as a memory
and the God of all comfort
is always as close as a prayer.It will be the little things
that you will remember
the quiet moments, the smiles,
the laughter.
And although it may
seem hard right now,
it will be the memory
of these little things
that help to push away the pain
and bring the smiles back again.Love Always- Karen & Ellice
March 20, 2007
Norma Crowley Reynolds, Brian’s mother-in-law, spoke of Brian in such loving terms that I feel as if I had known him. A person who made the world a better place just by being in it.
Helen Crowley
March 20, 2007
I only knew Brian through Susan at our Walking Coffee Group. She had wonderful things to say about him and we are all praying for her recovery.
Ann Usher
March 20, 2007
We will miss one of the most wonderful persons we have ever known. A person of character, strength and humility, he was one about whom you could truly say put his wife, son, family, friends, community and country before himself.
Joan and Bill Schaub