Brian Senter obituary
Brian Kenneth Senter
February 3, 1965 – October 24, 2015
Beloved husband, father, brother, son, teacher and friend Brian Senter died October 24, 2015 due to injuries sustained in a car-pedestrian accident. He was 50 years old.
Brian was born in St. Louis, Missouri to Robert and Patricia Senter. He was their only son, joining older sister Pennie and later his younger sister, Barbara. The family moved to Reardan, Washington when Brian was 14 years old. After high school graduation, Brian earned his Bachelor’s degree with a triple major in Education, Theater and English from Whitworth University in Spokane, and it was there that he met the love of his life, Mary Reese Senter. They were married March 25, 1989, and the following 26 years were filled with the love of their beautiful children, deep friendships and adventure. Brian’s love of acting brought him to complete an MFA program at the University of Washington, after which he enjoyed a professional acting career in Seattle and Los Angeles, and finally led to his most successful role, as a high school teacher to hundreds of students over 16 years in the Walla Walla public schools, with the last 11 years at Walla Walla High School as director of the drama program.
Brian’s family life was rich beyond measure. His relationship with each of his children was singular and unique; he connected with each of them on their individual terms. At home, he enjoyed sharing his love of cooking with his children and spent many memorable hours in the kitchen with his family, talking, baking, teaching. Brian was a resourceful handyman and could fix absolutely anything. With his wife, Mary, he enjoyed the solid foundation of family from which he drew great peace and strength which he could then share with others.
Brian exemplified the Orthodox faith principles of unconditional love and acceptance of everyone, no matter their circumstances. His chosen patron saint, Saint John Maximovitch, was the caretaker of many orphaned children worldwide just as Brian was the caretaker of the many young lives he encountered.
The recent words of others speak well to Brian’s person and character.
“Mr. Senter gave me the space to be myself. He gave me immense grace by his own example. He gave me the picture of empathy to emulate. Mr. Senter could take one look at me and know exactly what was going on in my heart. It was a gift I have not seen elsewhere, his uncanny knack for sensing emotions.”
“Such a wonderful, talented and extraordinary man. The creative souls he touched in this lifetime will live on in the world and in our hearts. We will honor his memory with all our strength.”
“Brian Senter was a man who made the world better by compelling us to think, to care, and to engage others to do the same. If you knew Brian, you know the void he leaves behind. If you didn’t, know he was a symbol of hope for our future.”
“Senter saw something in me that I didn’t see in myself.”
“There isn’t a ladder high enough to get over the bar you set, Brian. You were and always will be the most indigenously talented actor I have ever known.”
“There are two types of people in this world. Brian…and everyone else.”
“Ridiculously literate, sardonic, wry, outrageously talented, painfully complicated, mercurial, hilarious and passionate.”
“He wouldn’t want us to dwell on his passing, so if you pray or meditate or care to empathize, put that energy toward helping those less fortunate than yourself and make the world a better place.”
Brian is survived by his beloved wife, Mary, and children Hirut, Owen, Liya, August and Ruth, his mother Patricia, sisters Pennie and Barbara, and his parents-in-law John and Elaine Reese. He is also survived by a multitude of family, friends and students each of whom he held dear in his heart. He was preceded in death by his father, Robert.
A graveside service will be held at Mountain View Cemetery on Friday, October 30th at 1:30 pm and is open to the public. A public memorial will also be held at the Walla Walla High School large gymnasium on Saturday, October 31st at 11:00 am. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made through Herring Groseclose Funeral Home to support the Brian K. Senter Fine Arts Scholarship being established as an ongoing form of assistance to students wishing to pursue higher education in the Fine Arts.
“Turn your thoughts away from what will soon pass away and turn them towards what is eternal. Here you will find the happiness that your soul seeks, that your heart thirsts for.” Saint John Maximovitch
Suggestion Box
School Closures
