Brien James Daunt was an ironworker one of those “cowboys in the sky”, who for thirteen months placed his stamp on the Loma Linda University Campus Transformation project. Brien plied his trade with skill and enthusiasm as the hospital towers rose out of the pit to forever change the skyline of the campus and Inland Empire. On-site, he was affectionally known as the “Energizer Bunny” for it seemed as though, Brien could be several places at once. After the Adult Hospital tower reached its designated height, Brien moved on to another major project in Bakersfield, California. It was at this site, on Saturday, January 12, 2019, he slipped and fell several stories to his death. All those who knew and worked with Brien on the Loma Linda university project mourn Brien’s untimely passing.
The feature photo, taken on January 25, 2018, is of Brien as he stood on a beam smiling and motioning to a fellow ironworker on the other side of the column. The other photos in this post are a tribute to Brien, an ironworker, who I always looked for as he welded cable posts and/or strung safety cable after a beam was set. I will always remember Brien: He was a team player, He always anticipated the next move, He was ready to lend a helping hand, and he liked a good joke. I am a better man for having crossed paths with Brien.
Brien walks a third story beam.Brien backs up Jason as he reaches for a bolt to anchor the beam to the column.Once the beam was secured, Jason made his way to the other side of the column while Brien stands and walks to the column in preparation for the next beam to be lowered into position.Brien (left) and Jason wait for another beam to be lowered.Brien (standing alone on the beam) and Jason (clinging to the column) watch as the beam inches closer to their reach.Within reach: Jason and Brien carefully guide the fin end of the beam closer to the column.Brien (standing on the spline beam) fastens a safety cable to the column base. One of Brien’s primary responsibilities was to string and attach safety cables once the beams were secured.Brien bolts off a safety cable.With his welders helmet in his left hand Brien (left) tugs at his safety harness.Brien walks the spline beam as he traverses to the other end to tie off the safety cable.Having just welded a cable post to the beam (note the welders helmet hangs from the post), Brien prepares to string the top rung of cable.Brien prepares to string the safety cable off of a fifth floor beam.Brien works the northeast yard with the other ironworkers as they shake out the iron.Once the beam is properly bolted, Brien comes along and welds a center cable post before two safety cables are strung.Something I rarely saw Brien do: sit. In this photo Brien sits on a beam as he takes a water break. The iron workers are shaking out iron in the south yard.
In the upper left of the Adult Hospital tower, Brien (in silhouette) is photographed walking a beam as he strung safety cable from which the ironworkers, and welders clamp their harnesses as they work around the edges of the structure.
Brien James Daunt December 4, 1973 – January 12, 2019
After graduate school Dennis accepted a position at Loma Linda University. He worked there for 42 years in the areas of administration and financial management, also teaching accounting and management to dietetic students at the School of Public Health. Through the years Dennis has chronicled the growth of the campus, including the construction of the Drayson Center and the Centennial Complex and the razing of Gentry Gym. He is the author of "The Mound City Chronicles: A Pictorial History of Loma Linda University, A Health Sciences Institution 1905 - 2005." dEp 09.30.2016 🔨
Thanks for this Dennis, his family, friends and co-workers will really appreciate it.
Dennis E. Park, MA
Vince:
My pleasure. Brien’s passing effected me deeply. He wore me out just watching him go about his work. I am 74 and I wished many times I had half his energy–it was boundless. This post was my tribute to Brien. My heart aches for his family, his co-workers, and to his many friends. May God bless them all during this very difficult time.
Dennis
Dennis E. Park, MA
Vince:
I should mention that I would be happy to share the photos I have of Brien with his family.
Thanks for this Dennis, his family, friends and co-workers will really appreciate it.
Vince:
My pleasure. Brien’s passing effected me deeply. He wore me out just watching him go about his work. I am 74 and I wished many times I had half his energy–it was boundless. This post was my tribute to Brien. My heart aches for his family, his co-workers, and to his many friends. May God bless them all during this very difficult time.
Dennis
Vince:
I should mention that I would be happy to share the photos I have of Brien with his family.
Dennis