Brian Nowaske, 54, of Moreno Valley, California, passed Friday, February 21, 2020. Brian was born to Paul Nowaske, and Joanne Partie, August 24, 1965 in Detroit, Michigan. 

In 1971, at the age of six Brian moved with his family from Detroit, Michigan to Cerritos, California. Brian grew up in Cerritos with all of his siblings and built life long friendships with his neighbors. 

Brian married Heather Nowaske in 1992. Together they moved from Cerritos to Moreno Valley, California in 1996 where they bought a house and did extensive remodel work themselves to make it their home. 

Brian developed roots in his local community by attending his neighbors weddings, ice cream socials, birthday parties, and barbecues. It was important to Brian to foster these relationships and he was known to set up an easel outside his house with a time and event so his neighbors could meet him at his telescope to watch the moon and the stars. He was also known to feed and water the wild burrows on a regular basis even after being informed that the fine for this small act of kindness was one thousand dollars. 

In addition to supporting his neighbors, Brian was a cheerleader for all of his friends and family. This support included working on homework and school projects with his nieces and nephews, giving advice and praise to friends and family on their artwork and photography. But above all Brian gave his support by being available to anyone for anything they needed because he truly wanted to see the people he loved achieve their dreams. 

Brian was an artist himself. He enjoyed photography specifically using his drone over his community lake to capture the perfect sunset. He was a painter and loved printing his art on clothing and cups for others to enjoy. Brian also appreciated working with wood and made beautiful boxes and skateboards. 

Brian is survived by his father Paul Nowaske, his sisters Samantha Price and Connie Egts, his brother Kevin Wilhelm, his nieces Cassandra, Emily, Ryan, and Molly, his nephews Max, Dane, and Braxton, his great-niece Kingsley, and his ex-wife and friend Heather Nowaske.  

Brian will be cremated and some of his remains will be launched into orbit leaving the bonds of Earth to traverse the sky, experiencing the cosmic rhythms of sunrise and sunset every 90 minutes, transmitting a precise location in space to friends and loved ones below. The launch will take place in Cape Canaveral, Florida and those who are unable to attend can watch via live webcast. 

- The brightest stars are those who shine for the benefit of others.