Brian Alan Maurer, 63, passed away on July 29, 2018 at Utah Valley Specialty Hospital.  He was born on August 18, 1954 in Albuquerque, New Mexico to Alan Max and Louise Adele Thacker Maurer.  He was the second of 5 children.  He graduated from West Carrolton High School near Dayton, Ohio and served an LDS mission to the Las Vegas, Nevada mission.  He graduated from Brigham Young University with a B.S. in Zoology.  He married Cathy (Catherine) Cannon in the Salt Lake Temple on February 17, 1978.  Brian received an M.S. in Wildlife Management from West Virginia University, an M.S. in Statistics from the University of Arizona, and a Ph.D. in Wildlife Ecology at the University of Arizona.  After teaching at BYU for 13 years, Brian went to Michigan State University in Lansing MI, where he primarily conducted research, later becoming the Director of the Center for Statistical Training and Consulting at Michigan State University. He wrote 2 books and published 69 papers in peer reviewed journals.  He worked with many fine colleagues who were mentors to him, as well as outstanding graduate students. Brian loved composing and performing music, being self-taught on the guitar and harmonica.  He enjoyed watching the food network channel and loved Utah peaches from Allred's, fresh squeezed orange juice and chocolate malts, bird watching, and playing chess.  Brian disliked Cystic Fibrosis and Polycystic Kidney Disease.  Brian loved his family   (Brian and Cathy recently celebrated their 40 th wedding anniversary) and are the proud parents of grown children Daniel Brian, John David (Liz Hilton) and Megan Maurer (Adam Agudo).   They have one grandson, Adam, whom they adore.   Brian is survived by his siblings Brad, Linda, Chris Maurer and Corrine Phillips.  Brian is preceded in death by his parents. Friends and family are welcome to his viewing Friday, August 10 at the Sanderson/Walker Mortuary at 646 East 800 North, Orem from 4:00-5:00, a funeral will follow at 5:30 p.m.  Brian's wish is to be Cremated and his ashes returned to nature.