Robert Brian Daniel

Robert Brian Daniel of Dripping Springs, TX passed away peacefully at the age of 56, surrounded by loved ones, on March 6, 2024, following complications from septic shock. Brian was born on February 19, 1968, at Clinton Sherman Air Force Base near Burns Flat, OK, to Paul and Shirley Daniel. Brian's family was next stationed in California, where his sister, Cheryl, was born. They then lived in Virginia, Illinois, Florida and Ohio before finally landing in their final destination of the great state of Texas.
After graduating from Southwest High School in Fort Worth in May 1986, Brian pursued higher education at the University of Texas at Austin. Brian took a break from college for a few years and pursued a career in music. He was a songwriter and singer, and his band played at the Hard Rock Café in Dallas as well as the Caravan of Dreams in Fort Worth. Brian got to work with sound engineer, Buford Jones, and even had his music played for Pink Floyd's David Gilmour.
Upon his return to UT, Brian met his future wife, Katheryn, beginning a friendship that lasted over thirty years and blossomed into their marriage of twenty-five years. Brian earned his BBA from the University of Texas at Austin in May 1994. Brian next attended the University of Denver Law School, and graduated with his Juris Doctor in May 1998. Brian was licensed to practice law in Colorado, Texas, and Wyoming, and his legacy includes the founding of the Daniel Law Firm. Brian and Katheryn lived in Colorado until 2012, when they returned to Austin.
A devout Catholic, Brian served as a catechist, sharing his faith through teaching and inspiring young minds. His innovative approach during the pandemic, creating engaging Faith Formation videos complete with a different "thinking hat" each week showcased his commitment and creativity. Brian also served as a Eucharistic minister, volunteered at summer vacation Bible school, and served on the St. Martin de Porres Fall Festival committee. Brian was especially passionate about ACTS (Adoration, Community, Theology, Service) and served at several ACTS retreats as a team member as well as serving on the ACTS Core Team at St Martin's.
Brian's interests and involvements were a testament to his vibrant spirit and dedication to community. As president of his college fraternity, Phi Kappa Sigma, he fostered a brotherhood that resulted in lifelong friendships. An ardent supporter of the Texas Longhorns and the Dallas Cowboys, he cheered when they won and invented the throw of shame, forcefully tossing his team jersey to the basement, when they experienced an especially frustrating loss (which happened much more often than he would have liked).
Brian's involvement in the Dripping Springs community was extensive; from his role as a Dripping Springs Founders Day Commissioner to his board membership with the Dripping Springs Education Foundation, he was deeply invested in enriching the lives of those around him. Brian was often "voluntold" by Katheryn about opportunities, and he rarely said no to a chance to help his community.
Brian's athletic endeavors started in his youth. In third grade he completed the Billy Bowlegs Midnight Run in Fort Walton Beach, FL. At Beavercreek Elementary in Ohio, Brian ran on the cross-country team. In the Beavercreek Little League, Brian was the catcher for the undefeated Gorby's Transmission team that won the post-season tournament. As an adult Brian completed two Ironman triathlons, the Escape from Alcatraz triathlon, cycled in the grueling Hotter N Hell Hundred, and ventured across Iowa in the RAGBRAI (Register's Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa). Brian's passion for sports extended to coaching soccer for each of his children and supporting local youth as the Vice President of DSYSA (Dripping Springs Youth Soccer Association) Soccer.
A pillar in his children's education, Brian was the Top Dog for the Watch DOGS (Dads of Great Students) program at Dripping Springs Elementary School, demonstrating his unwavering commitment to fatherhood and community involvement. Brian drove his children to school every morning and helped drive carpool in the afternoon, giving him a captive audience for his dad jokes. As a registered Girl Scout, Brian manned cookie booths and faithfully pulled a red wagon each cookie season while his daughters rang the doorbells and gave their sales pitch. Brian built many sandcastles with his children during their annual family summer trips to the Texas beach, vigilantly stood guard in the brown surf while they rode boogie boards and made countless hauls of heavy beach tents to make sure they could rest in the shade.
Music resonated through Brian's life. He played trumpet from elementary school through high school, and he was first chair trumpet during his senior year. Brian loved supporting the Dripping Springs High School band and enjoyed his role as an announcer for high school band events. His love for live music and performances was infectious, and his talent shone brightly, whether strumming the guitar, playing the keyboard, winning a karaoke contest, singing in the church choir at St. Martin de Porres and St. Catherine's or leading as a cantor at Sunday Mass.
Family and faith were the cornerstones of Brian's life. He is survived by his loving wife, Katheryn Daniel, of Dripping Springs, and their cherished children, Declan (Providence), Scarlett, and Dorothy as well as his parents, Paul and Shirley Daniel of Fort Worth, his sister, Cheryl Nichols and her husband, Tommy, of Springtown, sister-in-law Collins Ashley and her husband, Greg, of Port Aransas, and mother-in-law, Sandra Graham, of Austin. Plus many beloved extended family members and dear friends.
Brian was preceded in death by his grandparents, Robert Lee and Winnie Daniel, Louie and Marie Rouse, and his infant son, Thomas.
Brian's life was a melody of faith-filled acts, loving gestures, and kind-heartedness. He touched countless lives with his generosity and spirit, and his memory will continue to inspire those he leaves behind. Brian will be deeply missed, but the joy, love and light he shared with the world will never fade.
Visitation will be from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM on Thursday, March 14, 2024 at Harrell Funeral Home, 100 Heritage Drive, Austin, TX. Recitation of the Holy Rosary will follow at 7:00 PM at the funeral home. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00 AM on Friday, March 15, 2024 at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church, 4800 Convict Hill Rd., Austin, TX. Burial will be 1:00 PM Saturday, March 16, 2024 at Abshier Cemetery, Devers, TX.
Mass will be livestreamed and those are welcome to join by visiting https://stcatherine-austin.org/live
In lieu of flowers, Brian's family requests that contributions be made to the Dripping Springs Education Foundation, https://dseducationfoundation.org/donation-levels/, or to ACTS Missions, www.actsmissions.org.