Hugh H. Brewer Jr.

Hugh H. Brewer Jr., passed away peacefully on Monday, April 22, 2019, at the age of 82. He was born on June 10, 1936, in Fort Smith, Ark., the beloved son of Hugh H. Brewer Sr. and Christine Stalter Brewer. He was preceded in death by his parents and his older sisters, Mollie Brewer Crockett and Anne Brewer Stewart. He is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Martha Rice Brewer; his sons, Hugh Rice Brewer Sr., and Arthur Payne Brewer; his daughter, Dr. Martha (Marti) Brewer Sharkey; their spouses, Tina Jones Brewer (Payne) and Craig T. Sharkey (Marti); his six grandchildren, Andrew Payne Brewer (wife Jayne), Blake Morrow Brewer, Hugh Rice Brewer, Jr. (wife Liz), Leigh Taylor Allison Stidham (husband Tim), Caroline Brewer Sharkey, and Martha Christine Sharkey; and his four great grandchildren: Micah James Brewer, Noah Payne Brewer, Emery Taylor Stidham, and Anna Margaret Stidham. Hugh worked his way through college beginning at Arkansas Tech University before graduating from the University of Arkansas with the degree of Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering. He was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. Following graduation in 1959, he served in the Army as a 1st Lt. and Battery Commander of a Nike missile site on Lake Michigan in Chicago. He and Martha subsequently returned to Fayetteville, and he earned registration as a Professional Electrical Engineer in 1966. He worked as a Distribution Engineer for SWEPCO, as a Consulting Engineer with McClelland Consulting Engineers, and as President and CEO of Upchurch Electrical Supply. Upon retirement, he proudly earned his Private Pilots license. Hugh was an active leader in the community and served as President or Chairman of multiple organizations over the years including the Fayetteville Downtown Rotary Club, the Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce, the Arkansas Air Museum, the Fayetteville Civil Service Commission, the Fayetteville Country Club, and the Arkansas Academy of Electrical Engineering. In addition, he was Treasurer of the Arkansas Alumni Association for several years. He was a member of the Board of Governors of Washington Regional Medical Center, a member of the Board of Directors of First National Bank, and a founding member of the boards of both Abilities Unlimited and Fayetteville Creative School. Hugh was an active member of First United Presbyterian Church where he was an Ordained Elder and chaired many committees over the years. Hugh received multiple honors and awards from the University of Arkansas and the Department of Engineering for his years of service and leadership. In 2014, Hugh was honored with the Arkansas Alumni Community Service Award. In 2015, he was again honored with the Arkansas Electrical Engineering Distinguished Alumni Award. In addition, he was awarded the highest honor from the College of Engineering by being inducted into the Engineering Hall of Fame. A visitation with the family will be held from 4 o'clock to 6 o'clock on Wednesday, April 24th at Nelson-Berna Funeral Home. Private burial will be in the columbarium at First United Presbyterian Church in Fayetteville under the direction of Nelson-Berna Funeral Homes. A public memorial service will be held Thursday, April 25th at 11 a.m. at First United Presbyterian Church followed by a reception in the Fellowship Hall. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to the Single Parent Scholarship Fund of Northwest Arkansas or First United Presbyterian Church of Fayetteville. To sign the online guest book please visit www.nelsonberna.com.