Brian Landes was the epitome of quiet generosity. He was always willing to give of himself, his home, his resources - without any need for recognition. When he saw a need, he responded to the fullest. He lived his faith the way few Friends do. His death on October 21, 2005 has left a hole in the Meeting that will be difficult to fill.

He gave of his time freely serving the community in a variety of ways; as team doctor for James Wood High School Football for 32 years, and as president of the Winchester Medical Center staff. His deep belief in the equality of all people led him to be one of the co-founders of the Coalition for Racial Unity, an organization that has grown in scope since its founding. He was always concerned for the young people of the community. When conflict threatened two local schools during a basketball season in the 1980s, he organized a spaghetti dinner and Meeting for Worship at Centre Meeting to bring the players together - an endeavor that was successful in eliminating further violence.

Brian touched many lives but none more than his wife Judy and their three children and, ultimately, his grandchildren. Although he didn’t speak often in Meeting for Worship, when he did, it was a message worth listening to. Indeed, Brian’s life itself was a lesson from which we can all learn.