Brian Ellis Overby
Brian Ellis Overby, 50, of Port Republic, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, September 25, 2025, at Rockingham Memorial Hospital in Harrisonburg, VA. He was born on October 2, 1974, in Rochester, NY, to Terry L. Overby, MD and Joyce Ellis Overby.
Brian graduated from Harrisonburg High School in 1992, achieved his BS in Physics with a minor in Math from James Madison University in 2000. He then obtained a Masters of Science in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering from the University of Virginia in 2003.
For the last 15 plus years, Brian worked as a Senior Mechanical Engineer at UVA's Center for Applied Biomechanics. According to his colleagues, he was responsible, in some way, for every piece of hardware, fixture, and machine at the CAB. He designed, drew, fabricated, repaired, maintained, troubleshot, evaluated and/or validated every single item in the building for the past 15 years. He assisted approximately 100 staff, students, and faculty to perform research in injury biomechanics, automobile safety, and warfighter protection that literally defined the cutting edge worldwide, always with a huge smile.
Brian loved biking, skiing, and was actively involved in the Charlottesville music community.
Brian is survived by his parents, Joyce and Terry Overby, his sisters, Heather Overby and Michelle Stockberger, and his brother-in-law, Jeffery Stockberger.
The loss we feel now may not ever be fully healed on this earth, but it is already eclipsed by the absolute gratitude we have for knowing, loving, and being loved by such an extraordinary soul.
In honor of Brian's generosity of spirit, the family asks donations be given to The Haven, a day shelter and housing resource center for those experiencing homelessness in the Charlottesville area, in lieu of flowers. More information can be found at www.thehaven.org.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at johnsonfs.com . Arrangements are entrusted to Johnson Funeral and Cremation Service in Bridgewater, Virginia.
The Overbys will hold a service in celebration of Brian's life on October 11 at 1pm at Port Republic Riverside Church in Port Republic, Va. All are welcome.
