John Richard Brimsek, 75, of Falls Church, Virginia, passed away at home surrounded by loving family on April 4, 2025.
John was born on March 7, 1950, in Virginia, Minnesota. He studied political science at Macalester College and law at American University, and spent his career as a congressional staffer and later as DC representation for multiple railroads and airlines. Central to his long career on Capitol Hill was his passion for mentoring countless up-and-coming staffers and lobbyists, whose own success he greatly enjoyed watching.
John deeply loved his work, but his true joy was his family. John is survived by his wife of 42 years (Tobi), his daughter and son-in-law (Emily & Eric), his son and daughter-in-law (Chris & Katie), and four grandchildren: Clio and Phoebe (Emily) and Charlie and Nicola (Chris).
Over the years, John had the opportunity to travel the world with Tobi, with their globe-trotting spanning Antarctica to the Baltic Sea, Israel to Argentina, Turkey to Lisbon. He enthusiastically cheered on his children as they received doctoral and MBA degrees and built careers and families. He ran a Grandpa/Grandma daycare during the pandemic for his DC-based granddaughter, and traveled frequently to Colorado to see his children and grandchildren based there. A man of wit and intellect, his close friends and acquaintances will most remember John not only for his kindness but his sharp, dry sense of humor.
A celebration of life will be held Saturday, May 10 at 2pm at Ravensworth Baptist Church in Annandale, VA. Tobi will host a reception at her home following church services. Non-black attire is requested.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Phoebe’s Fight for the Syngap Research Fund, a cause John felt strongly about and to which he donated his time, even in his last months.
John, I bitterly regret losing touch with you when I put a pause on my career to raise my boys. I was unbelievably fortunate to have been mentored by you – you were always one or two steps ahead of everyone else in the room, but you never made anyone feel “less than” for being a little bit slower on the uptake (maybe because it was usually me!). I could certainly use some of your old school wisdom and witticisms right about now! Now that my boys are older I’m trying to restart my career in large part because I want to honor the legacy of those who came before me and invested their time and talents in me. If someday I can be half the mentor you were, I will consider it a career well spent. To anyone casually reading this – please let my words serve as a reminder not to take for granted that which is never guaranteed – you never know when it may be too late to tell someone what they meant to you.
