BRIGHAM CITY, UT — The Utah State University community, along with friends and family across Box Elder County, is grieving the unexpected passing of Brian Adin Droubay, 43, who died on December 3, 2025. His loss has left what loved ones describe as “a hole that will never be filled,” as they remember a man whose intellect, compassion, and boundless heart shaped countless lives.
Born on July 9, 1982, in Brigham City to Wendell Paul and Kathleen Nielsen Droubay, Brian grew up surrounded by adventure, mischief, and the kind of childhood memories he cherished for a lifetime. He often reminisced about those early days — racing out the door each morning, roaming neighborhood streets with friends, and returning only when the sun dipped and dinner was on the table. Those carefree years formed the foundation of his joyful spirit and his deep appreciation for the people around him.
On April 11, 2002, Brian married his high school sweetheart, Heather Marchant, in the Manti Utah Temple. Together they built a beautiful life rooted in devotion, laughter, and the shared pride of raising four children. For 23 years, their partnership stood as a testament to love, resilience, and unwavering support.
A respected professor of social work at Utah State University, Brian was admired for his diligence as a researcher, his gift for teaching, and his remarkable ability to connect with both students and clients. In addition to his university work, he ran a private mental health practice, offering care and compassion to those who needed it most. Colleagues say he embodied the true essence of a social worker — driven by empathy, committed to justice, and unafraid to stand beside the marginalized. His influence reached far beyond the classroom, echoing through the lives of the inmates, children, unhoused individuals, and vulnerable groups he fought passionately to serve.
Brian’s interests were as rich and varied as his talents. A lover of all things celestial, he spent nights showing his family the stars through his telescope and collecting pieces of the cosmos in the form of meteorites. Music was another one of his greatest joys. A talented musician himself, he introduced his children to concerts and shared with them an expansive library of his favorite artists, from indie rock icons like Radiohead and The Strokes to the timeless jazz of Miles Davis and John Coltrane — the genre he loved most. Live jazz clubs and the vibrant pulse of big cities, especially New York, made him feel profoundly alive.
Despite his wide-ranging passions, Brian’s happiest place was much simpler: a heated blanket, a bowl of cereal, a favorite show, and his beloved cat, Priscilla, curled on his lap. Their bond was inseparable, and those closest to him say she is already lost without him.
Above all, Brian was a devoted husband and father. He found joy in planning family adventures, creating traditions, and filling their home with laughter — often stirred by his playful teasing and made-up words like “donglewonger.” Disneyland trips, movie nights, board games, and heartfelt conversations formed the core of a family life that revolved around his love.
Brian is survived by his wife, Heather; his children Meg, Adin, Grace, and Jane; his parents Wendell and Kathy Droubay; siblings Greg (Kim), Jeff (Amy), Kimber (Mike), Mike (Melaniel), and Chris (Jenifer); and many nieces and nephews with whom he shared close bonds.
A Celebration of Life will be held Tuesday, December 9, 2025, from 6:00–8:00 p.m. at the Utah State University–Brigham City building, 989 South Main Street. Friends, family, colleagues, and former students are invited to gather, share memories, and honor the remarkable life of a man who gave endlessly of himself.
Brian Adin Droubay leaves behind a legacy of compassion, curiosity, and love that will be felt for generations.