Brian Gene Pauling

Brian Gene Pauling, 60, of San Antonio, TX, formerly of Dillingham, AK, Central City, IA, and originally from Waterloo, IA, passed away on July 21st, 2025.

Born August 13th, 1964 in Lakefield, Minnesota, he was the son of Merlin and Bonnie Pauling. He married Julie Bergquist on July 1st, 1989, a partnership rooted in love, teamwork, comfort, and shared adventures. Together, they raised their children, built businesses, and explored the country.

A caring and practical man with a mischievous sense of humor, Brian loved doing things with intention, even if the intention was just to make people laugh. He played Santa Claus with heartfelt sincerity, but on Halloween, with that same twinkle in his eyes, he’d hand toddlers full-size candy bars and 2-liters of soda while limiting the older kids to mini ones, just for kicks.

He loved to watch his family grow, inciting curiosity and passing on his desire to discover along the way. He was thrilled to have become a grandfather and looked forward most to getting into trouble with his grandson. While teasing was his love language, he was still sure to convey how immensely proud he was of his family.

He was a researcher and teacher at heart. He was eager to share what he’d learned and was always thorough, whether you asked or not. A true extrovert, he never met a stranger he couldn’t talk to. Friends and newcomers alike quickly learned that a conversation with Brian was never brief, but was always direct and meaningful. He made sure to leave you with something useful, insightful, or just plain funny, which rarely let a conversation end in under an hour.

He was a born inventor, always building, tinkering, and solving. He could fix anything, and if he didn’t already know how, he’d teach himself. This put him on the path to obtain an Associate of Applied Science in Electronics Engineering Technology.

In 2000, he and his family moved to Dillingham, Alaska, where his sister Barb Himschoot, her husband Bob, and their children lived. There, he started his own business, becoming a fixture in the community as a jack of all trades who could troubleshoot anything. He sold and serviced radios for fishermen, plowed driveways, and got a start in real estate.

After his mother’s passing and with his children grown, he and Julie bought a motor home and traveled across the United States for over a year before settling in San Antonio in 2018, drawn by the potential of the local market, and the chance to be closer to his father, Merlin Pauling. There, they continued their work in real estate and enjoyed retirement.

He rediscovered his love for cycling shortly after moving to Texas. He took part in tours with family and friends, like RAGBRAI, the Katy Trail, and the Great Allegheny Passage. He loved repairing, modifying, and sharing his passion for bikes just as much as the journey. On motorcycle, he proudly visited all 48 contiguous states and Alaska.

He was deeply loved and gone far too soon.

Survivors include his wife of 36 years, Julie Ann Pauling of San Antonio, TX; his children, John Allan (Kerrie) Howe of Dunkerton, IA, Brianna Leigh (Timmy Folkers) Pauling and their son Alden Gene Scott Pauling of Fairbanks, AK, and Thomas James Pauling of Fairbanks, AK.

He is also survived by his three siblings: Barbara (Bob) Himschoot of Sitka, AK, Michael Pauling of Waterloo, IA, and Bradley Pauling of Oelwein, IA, along with several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Merlin and Bonnie Pauling.

A celebration of life will be held on Sunday, July 27th at 6:00 PM at The Schoolyard in Seguin, TX.