RIP - Marshall Brain - Manna, Doomsday Book - Author

OBITUARY
Marshall David Brain II
May 17, 1961 – November 20, 2024
Obituary of Marshall David Brain II
IN THE CARE OF
Brown-Wynne Funeral Home

Marshall David Brain II, renowned author, educator, and founder of
 HowStuffWorks.com, passed away on November 20, 2024, at the age of 63.

Born on May 17, 1961, in Santa Monica, California, Marshall’s childhood was
 profoundly influenced by his father’s work designing components for NASA's
lunar lander and later in the development of Atlanta’s MARTA transit system.
A lifelong learner, Marshall earned a Bachelor of Science in Electrical
Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and a Master of Science in
Computer Science from North Carolina State University (NC State).

Marshall began his teaching career in NC State’s Computer Science Department,
 where he taught from 1986 to 1992. His passion for education led him to create
Emphasis on Teaching, a grassroots newsletter aimed at enhancing the learning
experience for students. His dedication earned him a place in NC State's
prestigious Academy of Outstanding Teachers.

NC State always held a special place in Marshall’s heart. His connection
 began with a high school summer program at NC State that left such an
impression, he wanted to return. It is where he met his wife, many life long
friends, and later saw three of his children proudly follow in his footsteps as
students.

In 1998, Marshall founded HowStuffWorks.com as a hobby, with the mission of
 making complex topics accessible to everyone. The website quickly became a
global phenomenon, eventually being acquired by Discovery Communications in
2007.

Beyond HowStuffWorks, Marshall expanded his influence through writing and
 television. He authored several notable books, including The Engineering Book,
The Teenager's Guide to the Real World, and The Doomsday Book: The Science
Behind Humanity’s Greatest Threats. Among his favorites was Manna: Two
Visions of Humanity's Future, a thought-provoking science fiction story about a
future shaped by robots. On television, Marshall hosted Factory Floor with
Marshall Brain and Who Knew? With Marshall Brain on the National Geographic
Channel, exploring the intricacies of product design and manufacturing. He also
appeared on prominent programs like The Oprah Winfrey Show, Good Morning
America, The Dr. Oz Show, and Modern Marvels.

Marshall also contributed significantly to the entrepreneurial spirit of the
 Research Triangle Park community through his role as Director of NC State’s
Engineering Entrepreneurs Program, mentoring aspiring innovators and fostering
creativity. He never said no to anyone who asked for help.

Marshall is survived by his wife, Leigh Ann, their four children—David,
 Irena, Johnny, and Ian—and the family dog, Summer. He would do anything for
his family, including building a duck pond with an excavator because his future
wife said she wanted ducks, or jumping in the car to drive hours to deliver a
set of keys to his daughter who had left them at home.

Marshall had a lifelong passion for writing, constantly jotting down ideas,
 organizing his thoughts, and reflecting through words. He found joy in simple
pleasures like taking family walks, bike riding, and tinkering with technology,
whether it was his motorcycle, his RING camera system, or his iWatch. He loved
to make people laugh and had a lighthearted goal to travel the cruise circuit,
performing comedy shows. He had a “helicopter fund” for his dream to one
day build his own helicopter and often spoke of walking the Appalachian trail.

Through his work, teaching, and boundless curiosity, Marshall touched countless
 lives, inspiring others to explore, learn, and better understand the world
around them. He will be greatly missed but will live on in the hearts and minds
of all who knew him.

The family kindly requests that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Big
 Brothers Big Sisters, an organization that was especially meaningful to
Marshall, as it provided him with support after the loss of his own father at a
young age.
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