Richard Daniel Brigham

Richard Daniel “Dan” Brigham, born May 22,1940 in Kansas City Mo. to Mary Louise Blacker and Richard Stewart Brigham, passed away Monday Aug. 2 in Madison Wis. after a long battle with Lewy Body Dementia.

Father Dan graduated from the University of Missouri with a B.A. in classics and an M.A. in medieval history before receiving his Bachelor of Theology degree from the Episcopal Theological School in Cambridge Mass. in 1968. Father Dan was ordained a priest in 1969, and from 1969 until 1972 he was the rector of Grace Church in Chillocothe, Mo., vicar of Grace Church in Brookfield, Mo. and St. Philip’s in Trenton Mo.

From 1972 until 1974 he served as canon missioner at Grace and Holy Trinity Cathedral in Kansas City Mo.  He was called to be rector of All Saints’ Episcopal Church in West Plains Mo. in 1974. In 1983 he accepted a call to be rector of St. Andrew’s-in-the-Pines Episcopal Church, Peachtree City Ga. where he remained until his retirement in 2008.

Father Dan is survived by his former wife, Vivian Ruth Brigham, Madison, Wis.; three children: Sarah Brigham Morgan (Miles Morgan), Bamako, Mali; Phillip Aaron Brigham (Jilana Ordman), Chicago; Peter Forest Brigham (Daniella Brigham), Ketron Island, Wash.; four grandchildren: Eva Louise Garrison (Wade Garrison), Des Moines, Iowa; Miles Brigham Morgan, New York City; Charles Thomas Morgan, Baltimore; Virginia Ruth Morgan, Madison, Wis.  He is also survived by his sisters Victoria Leonard, Kansas City, Mo.; and Blythe Launder, Prairie Village, Kan., as well as many beloved nieces, nephews, friends and former parishioners.

Outside his work life, Father Dan enjoyed a life-long love of languages.  He won the National Latin Studies Championship in 1957 and over the years taught himself to read a dozen languages including Latin, Greek, German, Sanskrit and Aramaic.  In addition, he was a strong runner who often logged 40-50 miles a week.

He loved music, whether singing, playing the piano or listening to his favorite classical records. He was blessed with a rousing tenor voice and often mesmerized his parishioners as he chanted long sections of the liturgy a cappella .

Father Dan was a kind man who loved animals, especially his dogs. His elaborate Blessing of the Animals on the Feast of St. Francis  at St. Andrew’s-in-the-Pines became well known around the city as he welcomed horses, dogs and cats, as well as any other animal variety whose owners thought needed prayers.

His innate grace, learning and devotion to God and his church were always apparent in his sermons, most of which were extemporaneous. Even during his last years in memory care, Father Dan touched many lives with his gentle humor and love of people. He will be missed.

The funeral for Father Dan will be Saturday, Aug. 7 at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Madison at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Georgia  Animal  Rescue and Defense, 100 Dichroic Dragon Dr., Pembroke, Ga. 31321 or The Dane County Humane Society, 5132 Voges Road, Madison, Wis. 53718.

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