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A Palo Alto High School student known for his friendly and “inspiring” attitude died Sunday night or early Monday morning. Travis Brewer, 16, was found by his parents found in bed, police Agent Dan Ryan reported.
Brewer died of a congenital heart defect he’d had since birth, according to family members.
Police found no suspicious circumstances, Ryan said.
Students, coaches and family members said Brewer was well-known at school for his exceptionally honest and friendly demeanor.
“He was an awesome kid. He was an inspiration to all the kids that were involved with the program,” said Dave Jefferson, the school’s varsity baseball coach last year, when Brewer was team manager. Brewer gave his best to the team every day. He was unafraid of what people thought and always “spoke the truth,” Jefferson said.
“He was a figure on campus because of his friendliness,” according to senior Mike Hamada. He described Brewer’s habit of approaching students, saying ‘Hey’ and offering a high-five.
The outgoing teen was extremely involved in school, helping with the football and baseball teams, playing the drums and working at the VA Hospital as part of his special-education classes, aunt Kim Murray said.
“Travis appears to have known everyone in Palo Alto,” said Melinda Teves, another aunt, citing an outpouring of visitors who came to the boy’s Palo Alto home to pay respects Monday.
Speaking into the phone above voices of mourners at the house, the student’s uncle, Mike Brewer, emphasized his nephew’s upbeat attitude,
“He’s just a kid that wanted to fit in and always had a laugh, a smile on his face, no matter what.” Voice breaking, he added, “This is tough for me,” and predicted the family would be deeply affected.
Because the teenager had regular check-ups for his heart problem, family members were surprised by the unexpected death, he said.
“For someone we almost lost almost at birth, he actually cheated life and did his 16 years here,” the uncle said.
Brewer’s father, Tony, is an assistant wrestling coach at the school.
Fellow students were shocked to learn of Brewer’s death, news of which spread quickly before teachers made an official announcement to classes mid-morning, Hamada said.
In an e-mail to the school community, Principal Jacquie McEvoy asked readers to “keep Travis’ family in your thoughts and prayers.”
To comfort students, the school’s guidance office was staffed with school counselors, the school psychologist, and counselors from Adolescent Counseling Services all day, she wrote.
A truly sad day for the Palo Alto community. Inspiration is an excellent description for this fine young man. Travis lived everyday to the fullest and never once in all of the years I knew him did he not have a smile and a warm ‘hey’ for everyone. Our hearts go out to the Brewer family in this difficult time.
This was so hard to believe. I’ve known Travis since I was in kindergarten and he has been the guy that had a big smile to me.
Rest In Peace Travis You’ll be missed
He truly looked at the bright side of everything. always offering a high five and he could start a conversation with anyone. RIP Travis its not going to be the same without you
WE. ALL. MISS. YOU. TRAVIS.
you are and always will be in my heart.
you are so kind and friendly.
high school will never be the same again.
Travis made Paly football and basketball what it is today. He’ll always be remember at Paly on and off the field.
when i found out that Travis died I was shocked. I didnt know what to do, but then when i started thinking about it, I wanted to cry.
My 4th period teacher just read off a note like as if it was nothing. Thats when my tears started coming in.
even though i didnt know Travis that well, i know he was a great student and my inspiration. I cried for him and still am, he will be in my heart forever.
I love you Travis.
Rest In Piece.
Your in my prayers trav, RIP buddy, ill always be thinking bout you
Why is inspiring in quotation marks? He wasn’t “inspiring”, he was inspiring. And even if he wasn’t, it looks bad to have it in quotes.
I remember how I would always spot Travis scootering around town, he always had some place to go. His presence will be dearly missed.
I knew him from the first day of kindergarten. He had it so much harder than all of the other kids, and yet he put in so much more effort too. Everyday the first thing he would say when you walk by was “Hey, Whatsup?” and give you a huge high five. He just brightened your day so much. Everything that he stood for will not be forgotten. His attitude was AMAZING. I can’t believe he’s gone just like that.
love you brother. i’m going to miss you dearly. look after us trav
BIG Trav..wow. Always cracked me up…this is life lesson stuff here and Travis would be the first to say enjoy it every day and dont waste a moment. Gonna miss ya buddy, thats for ure!!
I did not know Travis, but it still saddens me to know that a PALY VIKE has passed. RIP Traivs. You will never be forgotten at Paly or by the Palo Alto Community.
Travis Brewer–
I will never forget how friendly he was. He always greeted everyone and had a smile on his face. He was very funny and high-spirited! I had good times during football and football games with him. Travis really brought the spirirt to the whole team.
I will miss all of that about you Travis.
But most of all, I will miss you.
I used to work at the VA Hospital with him. He was a very fun guy!
I will never forget you, Travis! I’ll miss you.
Rest In Peace!
Our hearts go out to all of the Brewer family in their time of loss. Travis was an exceptional member of an extrordinary family. every day with Travis on this planet was special. Let us all take the upbeat approach to life and it’s challenges. Thank you Travis for your time with us, and thank you Brewer family, for supporting Travis along his way. Much love to all of you.
tha Pinto Family
Words can’t express the grief our family is feeling after hearing of Travis’ death. We’ve spent many years in the Palo Alto baseball family with the Brewers. Our hearts go out to all of the Brewer family.
Mary Ahern and Ricky Navarro
Becky, Tony and family,
We were so shocked when we heard the devastating news yesterday. Travis could not have had better or more devoted parents, siblings and family. Travis was such a character and his loss is so unfair. Please know that you have our deepest sympathies, our thoughts and~~most of all~~our prayers.
Sally & Mike Smith and family
we will miss you R.I.P. we will never forget you. you were a good friend and classmate u were very funny
prayers for the brewer family. i did not know this young man, however, having worked with special needs kids , i know he touched a lot of peoples lives. live every day to the fullest. be thankful for your family and friends. and do not question….”why me” when you think life gets tough. be inspired to go forward, with a smile on your face and a high five for a friend. god is smiling as he welcomes travis home to his family…..
i will miss you i will think about you rest in peace you will be missed look after us at school and when we are in collage we misss and love u travis brewter
I was shcked to have discovered the news about young Travis Brewer just yesterday night through a friend of the family & my sister…. I’ve known this young man since his Brother & sister first set foot on Palo Alto turf. He DEFINITELY without a shadow of doubt was one of my favorite buddies. Alway feeling good about life, the most honest person you will meet, & devoted to the things he most loved and that was spreading the LOVE!!
My man Travis Brewer, U will be missed DEEPLY bro, never thought the day like this would have come so soon for such a Great friend like you!! Love you Man
Travis Brewer was such a fun and enrgetic person. He was always lauging, alwys funny. It is heart breaking to think that he is gone. Our hearts and prayers go to his incredible family. I have grown so used to seeing Travis with his Mom and the two of them always smiling – it is just awful to think we won’t have that sight again.
Take care Travis – God blessed you and God blessed all of us who have known you!
To the brewer family….
Dianne and I have known you all
since being Paly 1970s high school classmates
and even teammates….
We have been around since the birth of your wonderful
children….
I was there in your home last night and
I saw the strenth of your friends, your family, and
of your own personal inner strength…..
I also saw the pain in the blood shot eyes of all….
I now read so many heart felt emails attached to this article from
Travis’s friends and his extended Paly and Palo Alto family.
We wish only the best and will try to also be a source
of strength for you all…
Love
David and Dianne
On the way to school this morning a friend told Christian and I about Travis.
Quiet and sadness stood in our car at the thought of Travis no longer with us.
We will miss him and we will hold his parents in our hearts.
We have known him since the early days at Hayes, through the Jordan years and saw
him recently at a football game at Saint Francis. I will always remember his smile..
Love you Trav
R.I.P.
Brewer family, my heart goes out to you
R.I.P Trav…
Everytime I saw you dude you always had a big smile on your face. I remember when we use to just shoot around between varsity games and you were always so happy.Your spirit will always be left in the Palo Alto Community and in my heart big guy. ONE LOVE!!!
Dear Becky and Tony although I didn’t know your kids. We were all at Paly together and reading about the tragic loss of your son and yet about his warmth and smiles reminds me of both of you. In highschool you both had the biggest warmest smiles and on occassion when I would see you around town you still had them. Beautiful smiles, heartfelt. It is no surprise to me that you raised a wonderful son. I am so sorry for your loss.
Mara Salter Brill and Family
I’d known Travis since kindergarten and when i heard the news I was shocked. He was always around town, flashing smiles to everyone, and continually brightening up our days. I’ll miss you Trav, RIP man.
R.I.P. Travis was an amazing person and always brought a smile to my face. I grew up with the brewers and i’ve known Travis for a long long time. He always “took one for the team” it was never just about him, everything he did was in spite of helping somebody else.I remember how I would always see him scootering some place at anytime of the day, I will never forget Travis, he’ll be in my heart forever.
watch out for the rest of us buddy
we/i love you travis
Becky, Tony and family – Tavis will be missed greatly. I will always remember his wonderful spirit and his beautiful smile. My God Bless you and your family.
Connie Prince
Travis was an amazing person and will be missed by many. It’ll be tough going out and playing sports with him not there. His dedication to Paly’s teams was unquestionable, and his smile always brightened my day.
Gonna miss you Trav
The image of his big and heart warming smile will forever be in my memory. Travis, it is hard with out you here at Paly. Not a day goes by that I don’t look for you giggling and causing mischief. You were truly an icon at Paly, known for brightening everyone’s day. I hope you know how much you were loved and how much you will be missed. You are an unforgettable person Travis, and may you rest in peace.
Travis was in my drama class in 7th grade. Though I never got to know him, he always made the class so much more interesting. He always made us laugh and we never got bored. I was so sad when I found out what had happened. We will always remember him for brightening our boring days at school. May you rest in peace Travis.
Hey Trav- It seems like just yesterday I was playing with you in the pool during our many summers spent together in Tahoe. When you were about three, you decided to jump off the rock WITHOUT your life jacket on, and I got to jump in after you with all my clothes on. That was fun. I’m sure you remember. I have known you for 16 years, and there wasn’t a day that went by that you didn’t have a smile on your face. Your family is absolutely amazing and supportive and you will be truly missed by all. Continue doing what you do best.
Megan
REST IN PEACE
we gonna miss u
To all the Brewer’s…you are the most incredible family I have ever met and I am sorry for your loss. I know that you will all find strength in each other. You have always been leaders and role models in Palo Alto and I am proud to say I know you.
To the Brewer family, Words cannot express our shock and sorrow upon hearing the news of Travis’ passing. We have so many pleasant memories of him from Duveneck and from Paly basketball games, especially the Friday Quad nights which he seemed to enjoy so much. He was always such a breath of fresh air, smiling and enjoying every moment of the games. Our prayers and thoughts are with all of you during this most difficult of times, Gary Grant, Mary Ann, Megan and Bryan
WE WILL MISS YOU TRAVIS I HOPE YOU ARE WATCHING OVER ALL OF US U ARE IN ARE HEARTS AND YOU ARE REM AT PALY
R.I.P TRAVUS BREWER
WE MISS AND LOVE YOU VERY MUCH