Brian Francis Bottorff, 66, died peacefully Thursday, March 4, 2021, following a courageous battle with lung cancer. Brian was born on Nov. 25, 1954, to the late Henry “Loyd” and Lucille A. Bottorff in Buffalo, N.Y., and grew up in Marietta, Ohio, and Morgantown. Brian graduated from Saint Francis High School in Morgantown, received a Bachelor of Science in electrical engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, earned a master’s in electrical engineering from the University of Southern California, and was a member of the Delta Phi Fraternity. Brian spent his entire career as a systems engineer in the defense electronics industry in the Los Angeles area, working for Hughes Aircraft Corporation, which later merged with Raytheon.
Brian retired in Albuquerque, N.M., and spent his golden years exploring the west and pursuing his passions for hiking, nature, bird watching and photography. Brian was an accomplished hiker and trekked extensively throughout the western United States. Brian also was an avid book reader. Brian was a very likable, down to earth and outgoing fellow who would strike up friendly conversations with anyone he crossed paths with. Though Brian’s life was cut short by illness, Brian’s life was a life well lived as it was filled with colleagues, friends and family who loved him. He will be dearly missed.
Brian is survived by his brother, Dean Loyd Bottorff (Barbara), of Moon Township, Pa.; niece, Andrea Bottorff Branson (Chris) and grandnephews, Kenneth and Malcolm, of Wexford, Pa.; and nephew, Eric James Bottorff (Nikki), of Moon Township, Pa.
Memorial donations may be made in honor of Brian to your local hospice or The American Cancer Society.
