In lieu of condolences Bob’s family would love for you to share a memory or story.
Robert Briney passed away on June 18, 2013 as a result of a sudden massive heart attack. Bob was born in Staten Island, New Yorkon October 5, 1944 to Lucinda and Alonzo Briney. He grew up in upstate New Yorkand graduated from AlfredUniversityin 1966. He moved to Arizonato attend ArizonaUniversityLawSchool. Upon graduation, he served in the Army as a Captain in the Judge Advocate General’s Corp for four years. Bob founded and served as the director of the Maricopa County Office of the Legal Defender from 1995 until his retirement in 2009. Under his leadership, the office grew in size from a few lawyers to several dozen. Bob served the indigent defense community by instilling a sense of pride in his lawyers and staff, by hiring people who would recognize the value of working hard for those who could not afford counsel, and by rejecting the notion that people charged with crime should be defined by their worst acts. Those fortunate to have worked under Bob understood that the highest quality of legal representation was his vision for an office affectionately known as OLD. Bob was a professor of law at ArizonaStateUniversity, a judge, a tennis champion and President of the Biltmore Greens III-IV Homeowners Association. Among his many interests were his dogs, local sports and his studies of the American Civil War. Of all his accomplishments, he valued most his role as friend, mentor and confidante. Among his most cherished possessions was a 1964 Bentley S III limousine he restored and maintained for several years. Bob often used the grand limousine to drive friends to and from important events such as proms and weddings. He was also known to pick up friends and family at the airport playing the role of affable chauffeur. Bob is survived by his brother Allan Briney and his family, his aunt, Janet Foord, cousins Ellen Behrhorst, Karl Foord, Lynn Foord and David Foord, his niece Carol Briney Nasby and nephew Michael Briney. His charitable donations were varied and numerous. He donated to local charities including churches, schools and non-profits serving the indigent. Bob’s support extended diverse causes from the Civil War Trust to Save the Manatees.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks donations to be made to: Civil War Trust 1140 Professional Court, Hagerstown, MD 21740 http://www.civilwar.org/ 301-655-1400
His life will be honored and remembered by his family and friends at the Biltmore Hotel on Saturday, June 22 at 1:00 pm.
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E Ros(i)e McAlister
June 21, 2013 at 9:28 pmI don’t know if this is the place to do this, but I won’t be able to attend Bob’s funeral tomorrow, and would like to share some shadow of my memories of him. He and my family mutually adopted each other when his sister, Cherokee, came into our lives for the final months of her life. He walked my dog with Patricia at his side, and refrained from mocking me outright when I dealt with the natural complications that arise when a 100lb girl walks two 60+ lb dogs on roller blades. He taught me more than I ever needed (or had thought I wanted) to know about the Civil War and managed to make me enjoy it a lot more than I can even now entirely believe. Besides his interactions with us, we were honored to be there while he and Cherokee spent their last few months together.He has remained close to our family in the intervening years, and we have enjoyed his quirky humor (pink flamingos in the oddest places, such as the pond of a luxury hotel) and responding with our own (somewhere amongst his things are a few flamingos with painted green glow-in-the-dark skeletons). We spent time with him (and Patricia and her endless fur) in Phoenix, where he greeted us with his Bentley and chauffeur’s cap. He was generous with his home and his life, and as grateful as I am to have shared it, I am selfishly aware that I would have been happy to have more time with him.
He is well and truly my Uncle Bob, and I will deeply miss him. And think of him whenever I get airfare and a hotel room for far less than I have any right to.
Cindy (Gervase) Turner
June 24, 2013 at 6:16 pmOh Bob! I have to say, Bob’s memorial was just perfect; so typical of Bob. The sheer number of well-wishers who attended speaks volumes about our dear friend, Bob.
I feel so blessed to have been able to call him my friend. No matter what, Bob was always available to listen your woes and then tell a funny story to lighten the mood.
Bob and my husband, Doug Turner, became kindred friends, having married sisters. Bob was there for my late husband as he succumbed to cancer. Both loved sports and my husband was able to memorize statistics. I must admit to any guys out there who bet on sports trivia with Bob and always lost — Bob had a reference in Doug, which is why he was able to win! It was a best kept secret.
Bob reminded my husband of Jack Benny, due to his mannerisms, and called him “Jack” as a secret joke. I can still hear Bob’s voice and I think Doug was correct!
Bob, you will be greatly missed. I thought you would go on being my friend for a much longer time and I will never forget you. You will always be in my heart.
Bob, I just know that you and Doug are having a good time in heaven as you talk about sports. Say ‘hello’ from me.
Anne Phillips
June 25, 2013 at 12:19 amRest in peace my dearest boss, friend, mentor, colleague, mensch, confidante and guardian angel. You were deeply loved and will be missed by all.
David "Bonzey" Taylor
August 21, 2013 at 7:54 ame. We met up when he showed at The
Seafood Shanty after Elin Jeffords wrote an article about us in the New Times. I
recognized him by his voice when he placed an order. He was a Tennis player in
Oakfield N. Y. and we competed in H.S. I was second string so never played him
but competed against their team.. Later we went to college together and lived in
the same dorm. He arranged to have my misdemeanor charge of possession of a
small amount of marijuana expunged from my record and informed me that in
one year it was automatically removed from my record as if it never happened. I
assumed it was done until recently I applied for Global Entry Status to allow me in
and out of certain countries without having to go through immigration. $100
application fee, 6 weeks, all kinds of documentation and an arranged interview
with an immigration officer….I was rejected because in 1981 I was arrested for
possession and lied on my application. I explained the story and appealed my
rejection but needed to go to the County Courts to process the expungement of
my conviction.
So I knew Bob had retired but thought he could tell me what forms and process
I had to go through to do this. And that’s when I found this. Robert came to our
home on 5109 N. 31st Ave and Chauffeured Peggy and I out on a date one night
while wearing his English Uniform and driving his Bentley. Whatever the memory
is for your Mom, I still think she will be interested in a person that is that
thoughtful and did bring a bunch of memories back home. As we get older …it’s
only the memories we have that matter. We’ve done most of what we wanted.
David "Bonzey" Taylor
August 21, 2013 at 8:00 amBob helped me when I was arrested and also Kim. He was Chief Public Defender in 1981-2 around there. We met up when he showed at The Seafood Shanty after Elin Jeffords wrote an article about us in the New Times. I recognized him by his voice when he placed an order. He was a Tennis player in Oakfield N. Y. and we competed in H.S. I was second string so never played him but competed against their team.. Later we went to college together and lived in the same dorm. He arranged to have my misdemeanor charge of possession of a small amount of marijuana expunged from my record and informed me that in one year it was automatically removed from my record as if it never happened. I assumed it was done until recently I applied for Global Entry Status to allow me in and out of certain countries without having to go through immigration. $100 application fee, 6 weeks, all kinds of documentation and an arranged interview with an immigration officer….I was rejected because in 1981 I was arrested for possession and lied on my application. I explained the story and appealed my rejection but needed to go to the County Courts to process the expungement of my conviction.
So I knew Bob had retired but thought he could tell me what forms and process I had to go through to do this. And that’s when I found his obituary. Robert came to our home on 5109 N. 31st Ave and Chauffeured Peggy and I out on a date one night while wearing his English Uniform and driving his Bentley. Whatever the memory is for your Mom, I still think she will be interested in a person that is that thoughtful and did bring a bunch of memories back home. As we get older …it’s only the memories we have that matter. We’ve done most of what we wanted and the memories are what we value. He was one big one. I found out he was born on the same day as me but a year earlier. Oct 5th…treasured Libra! Goodbye Bob…we should all follow your example.