Dr. Barclay R. Brown (1958–2026): A Force Not Easily Forgotten
September 8, 1958 – January 6, 2026

Dr. Barclay R. Brown, 67, passed away on January 6, 2026, with his beloved wife, Honor A. Lind, and his devoted sister, Wendy Brown-Arnold, by his side, after an aggressive battle with cancer. Barclay lived with uncommon brilliance, deep integrity, and an enduring devotion to learning, service, and the pursuit of a better world. He was, and forever will be, an enigma: a unique individual and a force not easily forgotten.

Barclay’s life and work were defined by forward thinking and a rare ability to connect the technical and the human. He loved science and believed deeply in progress grounded in ethics and a moral code of conduct. He challenged people, in the best way, to become a better version of themselves, and he did so with respect for humanity and the greater good. Whether mentoring a colleague, teaching a course, or guiding a complex effort forward, Barclay had a way of being both exacting and encouraging, both provocative and kind.

A lifelong technologist and systems thinker, Barclay began programming early and carried that passion into a career that spanned software innovation, systems engineering, and artificial intelligence. He held a bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, master’s degrees in Psychology and Business, and a Ph.D. in Industrial and Systems Engineering. Over the years he served in influential roles at Digital Equipment Corporation, IBM, Raytheon, and most recently Collins Aerospace, a division of RTX, where he was a Senior Technical Fellow and Associate Director for Research in AI. He led major AI education initiatives across RTX and worked with NASA on the development of Generative AI technologies for Systems Engineering.

Barclay authored Engineering Intelligent Systems (Wiley, 2022), reflecting his talent for translating complex ideas into usable knowledge and his commitment to helping others build intelligent, trustworthy systems.

His impact on the systems engineering community was especially profound through the International Council on Systems Engineering (INCOSE), where he was a dedicated member since 2005 and a certified Expert Systems Engineering Professional (ESEP). Over two decades, Barclay served INCOSE in numerous leadership roles, including chapter and sector leadership, service on the Board of Directors, and as Chief Information Officer. In that role, he helped modernize INCOSE’s infrastructure and collaboration capabilities, supporting the organization’s ability to operate globally and effectively, including during the COVID-19 era.

He was Master of Ceremonies for the INCOSE International Symposium in 2015 (Seattle) and 2018 (Washington, D.C.), and he played a central role in creating and leading two working groups: Systems Engineering Quality Management and AI Systems. Those who heard him speak will remember not only the substance of his ideas, but his signature way of delivering them. Barclay could quote Rumi and Star Trek in the same presentation and make it feel natural, insightful, and unforgettable.

Barclay loved the home he built and the life he shared with Honor on the coast of Georgia, overlooking the marshes near Darien. He found peace outdoors, especially cycling on the beaches of St. Augustine and Jekyll Island. A gifted and dedicated cyclist, Barclay won numerous cycling awards in Europe and the United States, and he was even recognized in Atlanta as the No. 1 Athlete in Georgia in the late 1990s. He also cherished time in his workshop, often working side by side with Wendy, where the quiet joy of building and creating mirrored the way he approached life: curious, capable, and always improving what was in front of him.

Barclay will be deeply missed by his wife, Honor A. Lind; his sister, Wendy Brown-Arnold; his brother-in-law, Chester Arnold; and his beloved niece and nephew, Robin Arnold and Clayton Arnold, of whom he was so proud.  He is also mourned by many cousins, colleagues, and friends who will miss his references to Star Trek, Rumi, the Bible, Joseph Campbell, Jung and all the scholars - woven into witty conversations. He will also be missed by his feline companions, Daphne and Houdini, who were part of the home he loved.

A Celebration of Life ceremony will be announced at a later date and will be held at the family home.

In honor of Barclay’s legacy and lifelong commitment to learning, service, and building capability in others, contributions may be made to the Dr. Barclay R. Brown SEQMI Scholarship Fund. The scholarship fund will be administered as part of the Quality Management Institute in partnership with Dr. Larry Kennedy, and it will provide support to those seeking training and association membership related to systems engineering, artificial intelligence, and quality management. For information on making a contribution, or to share photos, videos, or recordings as we preserve Barclay’s legacy on a website dedicated to advancing the field, please contact Honor A. Lind at honor.lind@incose.net or honorallison25@gmail.com.

“Goodbyes are only for those who love with their eyes.  Because for those who love with heart and soul, there is no separation.”- Rumi