Brian Gardner Bienfang

Brian Bienfang beloved husband, brother, son, uncle, friend, and audio artisan. AUGUST 28, 1954- MAY 5, 2025
Brian was a pioneer in the world of high-fidelity audio and a fixture in the local community for decades. Brian left behind a legacy of sound, craftsmanship, and quiet charisma. He had a lifelong passion for music-especially drumming, and was the drummer in a local band in his youth. Even in his final days he could be seen air-drumming to his favorite songs when music played.
Brian was married to his best friend Michele for 26 years, until her passing in 2011. The two met as teenagers in the AV club at Milwaukee Lutheran High School-a fitting beginning for a lifelong partnership built on a shared passion for audio and video technology. Together, they built Sound Investments, Ltd., a beloved Milwaukee business that became a cornerstone of the city's audio scene in 1984. Brian's love of music and his keen ear for sound-passed down from his father Bruce Bienfang-shaped every aspect of his work. Brian poured his heart into selling, designing and personally installing high-end stereo systems into many, many homes, which began a rage now known as "home theatres". Brian's level of care and integrity earned him the respect and admiration of customers and peers alike.
Brian's wealth of knowledge, warmth, and love of the art were amazing. He was a genius in his field and could troubleshoot a stereo as easily as he could down a plate of mom's incredible spaghetti and meatballs. But what truly defined Brian, his proudest professional achievement, was a line of tube amplifiers and speakers, his "Signature" brand, which were custom designed and hand built by Brian himself.
Brian loved God, cats, squirt guns, spitballs, wet Willie's, floating in water, reading, scuba diving, classic movies, vinyl records, Door County getaways, and all things James Bond and Star Trek. Though he and Michele were never blessed with children of their own, they adored their nieces and nephews. Known affectionately as "Uncle Grumpy" Brian took special delight in tying their socks together while still on their feet, wrapping their gifts in duct tape, and leaving them giggling with his antics. And if you ever asked him how he was doing, the answer was always the same; "Mean, nasty. rotten, and crabby". Nothing could be farther from the truth.
But behind that trademark line was a man with a heart of gold! Brian's business never reaped the financial rewards it should have, mostly because Brian was too generous with everyone. He did what he loved, and sharing that love was more important to him than riches or recognition. He was fiercely loyal, never tried to be someone or something he wasn't, and at least for the last decade of his life was most known for smiling constantly, freely offering heartfelt compliments, and multiple times a day he would tell people that he loved them-and truly meant it.
Brian was the oldest of 4 children and a true mama's boy, deeply devoted to his mother, Renee Caldwell. His love, admiration and loyalty to her were cornerstones of his character. Brian was also raised by his stepfather, Tom Caldwell, whose role in his teen years helped shape the man he became. In a span of just one month, three of the four siblings-Brian, Lori (Larsen) and Mark (Caldwell) -passed from this world, each following the other in a rhythm only God could understand. True to his role as the quintessential eldest brother, Brian made sure Lori and Mark were both safely home before going home himself. He now leaves behind his devoted sister Wendi and husband Jack Curran, brother-in-law Jim Larsen, sister-in-law Diane Caldwell, chosen sister Annie Tanner, and all of his beloved nieces and nephews.
Reunited at last with the love of his life Michele-let the music play on?
A Celebration of Life will be held on Thursday, June 5th, from 5:00 to 8:00 PM at The Ivy House, located at 906 S. Barclay Street in Milwaukee. A brief service will begin at 5:30 PM, followed by food and fellowship as we honor Brian's life and legacy.
Church & Chapel Funeral Service Serving the Family Milw. 262-827-0659 Wauk. 262-549-0659 Online Obit, Condolences, Directions www.churchandchapel.com