CSUN University News Clippings

Music alum Brian Stuart Grieger has died

(October 31, 2008)

Brian Stuart Grieger
Brian Stuart Grieger, 53, passed away unexpectedly at home Monday Oct. 27 from a massive heart attack. He was born Dec. 31, 1954 in Colorado Springs, Colo. to George and Jane Grieger. At the age of 12, his family moved to Van Nuys, Calif. where he began bicycle racing. Brian was a very successful racer as a junior and his real strength as a racer was on the track, his favorite event being the Madison race. His passion for bicycles expanded into an apprenticeship at a bicycle shop in southern California. Brian was also an extremely accomplished musician, playing clarinet and saxophone. He studied music at Cal State Northridge, Cal State San Francisco and the University of California at Berkeley. He continued his bicycle racing in Northern California with the Berkeley Wheelmen and twice raced in the national championships, and was California State Track Champion. Brian managed the Missing Link Bicycle Shop, the largest retail bicycle shop west of the Mississippi at the time. Brian met his wife Natalie in Berkeley in 1979. In 1989, they moved to Boise where he continued his craft becoming one of the most respected bicycle mechanics in the country. He worked as team mechanic for the Ore-Ida (subsequently Hewlett Packard then ultimately PowerBar) Women’s Challenge stage race and was named Outstanding Mechanic in 1996. Brian and Natalie together discovered a love of Vizsla dogs and began breeding them. At one time, all five of their dogs were certified Pet Therapy dogs, visiting patients at St. Luke’s to provide comfort and solace to inpatients. He participated in a pilot program for the pediatric emergency room, where his dog could help ease the stress of children receiving emergency procedures such as sutures or having broken bones set. Brian was a true Renaissance man. He had a childlike wonder and joy at discovering new things. He was the gentlest, most compassionate and generous man ever. I spent the best 29 years of my life with him. He was my best friend, my lover, my soul mate. He touched many lives through his bicycle business, supporting local cycling events, and through pet therapy — visiting hospital patients with his beloved dogs. Brian is survived by his wife, Natalie; his brother, Scott; and cousins, Kathleen and Melanie Walker. An open house in memory of Brian will be held at his home, 2422 Haven Drive, Eagle (939-2235) on Saturday, November 1st between 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Condolences may be sent to ngrieger@fiberpipe.net. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Brian’s name to Therapy Dogs International, Inc. 88 Bartley Road, Flanders, NJ 07836. Email tdi@gti.net Website www.tdi-dog.org www.relyeafuneralchapel.com

Publication: Idaho Statesman