Bradner W. Coursen

WILLIAMSBURG - Professor Emeritus Bradner W. Coursen, of the College of William and Mary, died Sunday, Aug. 31, 2008 after living courageously with Parkinson's disease since being diagnosed in 1994. He died peacefully at home with his loving and dedicated wife and caregiver, Mignon, by his side.
Brad was born Feb. 10, 1929, at his home in Roselle Park, N.J. His parents were John J. and Beatrix Meger Coursen, deceased.
As a young man, Brad, as he was known to close friends and family, was fun loving and athletic. He was a catcher on the Roselle Park baseball team when they won the state championship in 1946. Later that year, he joined the U.S. Navy and was stationed on the aircraft carrier, Saipan, until his discharge in 1948. Brad went on to earn his bachelor degree in biology from Drew University, Madison, N.J., in 1952. That same year, he met his future wife, Mignon Unbekant, and they were married in 1954. They honeymooned in Williamsburg, Va.
In 1956, Brad decided to seek his Masters and Ph.D. degrees at the University of Maryland in the field of Botany. After graduating in 1959, Brad began his teaching career at Lawrence College in Appleton, Wis. Teaching was his passion, working with students his joy. Nine years later, Brad moved his wife and three sons to Williamsburg, Va., in 1968, where he joined the staff at The College of William and Mary. Brad served on many committees at William and Mary and enjoyed working with his colleagues. He guided a number of students through honor's projects in biology and worked with graduate students seeking their Master's Degrees.
Brad was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Shirley Healey.
He is survived by his wife, Mignon Coursen; sons, Bradner Coursen Jr. of Vero Beach, Fla., John Coursen and his wife, Jill, of Park City, Utah, and Scott Coursen and his wife, Lynn; step-grandchildren, Brian and Taylor in Williamsburg, Va.; his niece, Pat Sherwood and her daughters Wendy and Amy; and granddaughter, Madison.
A Celebration of Life gathering will be held 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 6, at Nelsen Funeral Home in Williamsburg followed by a reception. Dress is casual.
Expressions of sympathy can be made to the American Parkinson's Disease Association, 135 Parkinson Avenue, Staten Island, N.Y. 10305 or Riverside Hospice, 12420 Warwick Blvd, Ste 70, Newport News, VA 23603.
On-line condolences may be registered at www.nelsenfh.com. View and post condolences on our online guestbook at dailypress.com/guestbooks.