Kind words by friend and board member, David R. Hutchinson.
It is with great sadness that we have learned of the recent death of Brian Searles. Brian died in Tampa, Florida, on June 5 while undergoing treatment for acute leukemia.
Brian served as a central figure on the Local Motion board of directors from 2017-2023. He has been a stalwart member of the Local Motion family, and he played a key role in the development of Local Motion as Vermont’s premier walking and biking advocacy group.
Brian spent his life in service to Vermont, with careers in public law enforcement and state government. As Vermont Secretary of Transportation – under two administrations – Brian was a staunch supporter of efforts to make Vermont safer for walking, biking, and rolling. His hand is on many of the new walking/biking infrastructure improvements in the state. His advocacy was key in the rebuilding of the lake’s causeway following severe storm damage, and he played a central role in helping Local Motion secure its current space for its Burlington waterfront Trailside Center.
Brian did more than work professionally to improve conditions for walking, biking, and rolling. Walking and biking also played a large role in his personal life. Walking, oftentimes with golf clubs in tow, was part of his daily routine, and some of his travel abroad involved long walking excursions. His work with Local Motion was a logical extension of what was important to him, both professionally and personally.
We at Local Motion will miss his efforts and his commitment to this work we do. We will miss his kindness, his dry wit and sense of humor, and his wonderful way with people. His legacy will live on in the work he did and in the hearts of those of us who had the good fortune to know him.