Obituary of Brian Wineland

Brian James Wineland

August 25, 1970 – November 22, 2021

Brian Wineland died unexpectedly and peacefully from cardiac-related causes on November 22, 2021. He was 51.

Brian was born in Missoula, Montana to Hal and Kirsty Wineland, who had moved from Oregon to Montana for Hal’s work. In 1971 the family returned to Oregon, eventually settling in Salem. While growing up, Brian was active in Boy Scouts of America, reaching the level of Eagle Scout and serving as a leadership counselor. He was involved in his church’s youth groups, track and held a part-time job at a golf course, which started his love for the game. 

He graduated from South Salem High School in 1989, and enrolled at his parents’ alma mater of Oregon State University. During college, he was an active member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity and in the summers he fought wildfires for the U.S. Forest Service. Brian graduated with a bachelor’s degree in speech communications in 1995 and later earned an MBA from George Fox University in 2005.

During his senior year at OSU, Brian met Beth McLain, and they married in 1996. They lived in Salem, then moved briefly to Colorado before returning to Oregon and settling in Portland in 1999. Their son Miles was born shortly thereafter, and daughter Madeline in 2004. The family then moved to Tigard in 2010. Brian loved his family deeply and was a devoted father, relishing in all the joys of parenthood, from ballet to pinewood derby cars. His children were his heart and joy. He also enjoyed spending time with extended family in and around the Northwest.  

After college, Brian worked in sales and then in corporate training. For 18 years he worked for Mentor Graphics, which allowed him to use his gifts of communication and connecting with people. In his role as a sales training manager, he enjoyed traveling in Europe and Asia, making new friends across the globe. He was quick-witted with a generous spirit, and he regularly had others around him laughing with a vivid story. He made friends everywhere he went because he chose to see the best in people from all walks of life.

Brian loved the outdoors, golf, cooking and rooting for the OSU Beavers. He was an avid music lover and Dead Head, and he attended live music events whenever he could. He knew all the concert dates, past and present, and he would gladly take you along.

Quick with a smile and an ear, Brian embodied kindness, fun and love. He would call you up, send you a text, share a silly story just to let you know he was thinking about you. If you came over, he was ready to cook up something delicious, get you a microbrew from the garage fridge and put on music to suit the mood. If you needed help with a project, Brian was there to turn it into a fun adventure that would create inside jokes for decades.

He is survived by his wife of 25 years, Beth Wineland; his children Miles Wineland and Madeline Wineland; his mother Kirsty Williams Wineland of Salem; and his father Hal Wineland of Keizer. He was preceded in death by his brothers, Mark Wineland and Greg Wineland, and maternal grandparents Ted and Mary Williams, as well paternal grandmother Margaret Payton and step-grandfather Scotty Payton.

While his family and loved ones are struggling with his unexpected death, we are left with colorful and enduring memories, most of them ending in laughter. In Brian’s honor, check in with a friend and tell them you’re thinking of them, say yes to an invitation, buy the concert tickets. Seek joy and embrace life.

A Go Fund Me account has been established at https://gofund.me/28aa57e6.

A private viewing was held for the family. A celebration of life will take place December 16, 2021 at 2 p.m. at the World Forestry Center, 4033 SW Canyon Rd. in Portland.