Brent R. Liesemeyer

Brent R. Liesemeyer

May 5, 1958 - Sept. 24, 2019

KAILUA, Hawaii — Brent R. Liesemeyer, 61, of Kailua, passed away Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2019, in Baltimore, Md., after a long and brave battle with leukemia.

He was born in Lincoln, Neb., on May 5, 1958. In 1976, he graduated from McCook High School. Brent attended Colorado State University and received a degree in wildlife biology. After graduation he moved to Kailua and married Sally in 1983. Always generous, Brent even invited his parents and four siblings to tag along on their honeymoon to Maui.

He started his career as an elephant trainer at the Honolulu Zoo. In 1992, he was chosen to travel to India to bring back a three-year-old Asian elephant, named Vaigai, which was gift to the Honolulu Zoo. Brent remained passionate about elephants until his final days.

In 1995, Brent began his conservation work with State of Hawaii where he strived to protect native Hawaiian plants and animals.

Brent will be remembered for his love of family, sense of humor, and his great taste in music.

A celebration and scattering of ashes will take place on Saturday, Dec. 21, 2019, at 7 a.m., at Kailua Beach Park in Hawaii.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Wayne and Bette Liesemeyer.

Survivors include his wife, Sally Liesemeyer of Kailua, Hawaii; son, Lincoln Liesemeyer and Jessica Marini, Baltimore, Md.; brothers and sisters-in-law, Kent and Carla Liesemeyer of Tucson, Ariz., Scott and June Liesemeyer of Aiea, Hawaii; and sisters, Lori Jumps of Lincoln, Neb., and Tracy Liesemeyer of Lincoln.