Brian Young Happel

It is with both profound spiritual gratitude, and deep earthly sadness that we announce the passing of The Lord’s Child and Servant, Brian Young Happel. Finely-aged 75 years, Brian, of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, entered peacefully surrounded by his family into the presence of the Lord on Wednesday, May 27th, 2026.

On Tuesday, December 12th, 1950, Brian was born in Baltimore, Maryland, and would reshape the present and future of his late parents, Frank Alexander Happel and Margaret (Young) Happel Bailey and his surviving, older sisters Marti Happel, Ann Marshall Bowders, and Alison (Bailey) Cole.

In the fall of 1968, Brian, at McDonogh School and his future wife Sue at Milford Mill, met at a local dance, fell in love, and started their legacy together, and were married on May 6, 1972. On May 6th, 2026, Brian and Sue celebrated their 54th wedding anniversary; this milestone of devotion, love, commitment, and faith has set the bar high for those who seek a lasting and fulfilling marriage.

As a devoted Husband, Father, Sibling, Friend and Brother in Christ, and active member of First Baptist Church of Gettysburg, PA, his faith was the cornerstone of his life dating back to September 29th, 1974, when he dedicated his life to Christ. Brian lived a life that bravely and beautifully reflected the love of his glorious Creator. He lived his life with purpose and wanted to honor God in everything he did. This shone brightly in his work ethic and the relationships he built in his various endeavors, including broadcasting school, First National Bank, Mosler Safe Company, MPT, and as a field engineer with IBM/Kodak/Danka/Konica Minolta.

Hi lived guided by his favorite scriptures, Matthew 6:33 “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”, and the wisdom of building a foundation on the rock of Christ as in Matt. 7:24-27. Brian was known for epic family adventures such as vacations in Disney, camping, and boating, leading “home group”, hosting volleyball nights, and playing the bass for Covenant Community Church, coaching and watching his kids’ sporting events, rare but amazing geta-ways with his Susie, and countless crabbing trips with his kids followed by feasts and fellowship.

Brian’s time on earth produced a living legacy of Christ’s love and is survived by his loyal and dedicated wife Susan Lynn (Hoffman) Happel, and the pride and joy of his life, sons Jesse Alexander Happel and Simeon Joseph Happel, and daughters Stephanie Beam Harryman, Vanessa Dawn Reitsma, Faith Victoria Rice, and Lillie Christiana Vaughan, six daughters and sons-in-love, and seventeen grandchildren. He was preceded into eternity by his parents, beloved son-in-love Ian Mark Beam, and beloved aunts and uncles, with whom he has now been gloriously reunited in Heaven.

A celebration of Brian’s life and faith will be held on Saturday, June 20th at 11am at First Baptist Church of Gettysburg, 1015 Chambersburg Rd, Gettysburg, PA 17325.

In lieu of flowers, please send crabs & Old Bay 

Online condolences at www.Burrier-Queen.com.