Donald Brott

1928 - 2017

Donald Brott, age 89, passed away June 14, 2017 at Shelby Baptist Hospital in Alabaster Alabama, two months after being diagnosed with leukemia. He leaves his wife of 57 years, Anneliese (Langenbach) Brott; his son Lawrence Brott; two daughters, Brigitta Brott and Barbara Brott; and three grandchildren, Luke, Christina, and Caroline. Don was born and raised in Green Bay, Wisconsin, the son of Hubert Brott and Anne (Chapell) Brott. After graduating from high school, Don joined the army. While serving, his exceptional intelligence stood out, and he was encouraged to go on to higher education through the GI bill. Accordingly, Don attended the University of Wisconsin Madison to receive a BS in electrical engineering, and then a JD. He settled in Chicago and became a partner with the patent law firm of Hibben, Noyes, and Bicknell, which later merged with Marshall, Gerstein, and Borun. He met and married Anneliese Langenbach, a technical translator and interpreter, and living in the Chicago suburb of Winnetka, they raised their three children. After retiring, Don and Anneliese moved to Wauconda, Illinois, where they enjoyed country living for 26 years. Don had many interests, prominent among them reading, woodworking, gardening, and music. Don's main joy in life, however, was his family. He was devoted to his wife and children, and included them in all his activities. His honesty, patient kindness and hard working personality were the best of all possible examples for his children, and for all who came in contact with him.