“I’ve never seen a grandmother understand a grandson the way she understood me,” says Brueggeman, as he reflects on their relationship.

Known as Jan to her many friends and family, she was an intelligent, compassionate and purposeful force of nature whose humble influence permeated her interactions throughout her lifetime of community service and philanthropic endeavors. Of all her passions, the arts spoke to her the most. She developed a deep love for the symphony, serving as president and subsequently as a lifetime trustee of the Houston Symphony Society. A founding member of Houston Methodist’s Center for Performing Arts Medicine (CPAM), Barrow established the Janice H. Barrow Endowment for Artist Treatment, Research and Injury Prevention at CPAM for the orthopedic care of injured ballet dancers and other artists. She also supported other specialties such as cardiology and neurology — specifically, concussion care.

She and her husband Tom shared 60 years of marriage, raising four children through multiple relocations as he advanced in his career in the gas and oil industry. Grounded in their faith and the Episcopal Church, the couple supported causes that uplifted communities and nurtured creativity through the arts. They were avid world travelers, exploring the richness of 100 countries and their respective cultures and expressions of art. An engaging storyteller, Barrow drew from her lived experiences to captivate listeners, and the joy she found in life inspired her sharp wit and sense of humor.

“I feel very blessed to have had a family and an upbringing that have afforded me a life in which I can do my part to benefit my city,” states Brueggeman.

Thus began Brueggeman’s foray into supporting causes meaningful to him — music, the arts and medicine. Having suffered three concussions playing competitive sports in high school, he is a long-time supporter of concussion research. Of particular interest to Brueggeman is the work of the team at the Houston Methodist Concussion Center, led by Kenneth Podell, PhD. Dr. Podell, a neuropsychologist and the John M. O’Quinn Centennial Chair in Concussion Research and Care, specializes in brain injury and disease, lending his expertise in sports concussion to several professional, college and high school athletic teams. Brueggeman’s own perspectives on the topic have contributed to Dr. Podell’s concussion research efforts.

“He’s a phenomenal individual,” notes Dr. Podell about Brueggeman. “Apples don’t fall far from trees — he’s always passionate about supporting and giving back, just as his grandmother was,” he adds.

Legacy and heritage mean something special to Brueggeman, a proud seventh-generation Texan. In the spirit of benevolence Barrow instilled in him, he committed a planned gift to Houston Methodist that will support behavioral health, CPAM and the Concussion Center to help those who will come after him.

Much like his grandmother and parents, Brueggeman is very purposeful in selecting the institutions he supports. “I want to anchor myself with the best nonprofit organizations Houston has to offer because I want to help make the city the best it can possibly be,” he conveys.

Those close to Brueggeman often describe him as an old soul. Maybe it’s his own compass that steers him toward purpose-driven goals and a desire to participate in the world around him. Or perhaps it’s the traits and passions imparted to him by his grandmother, an enduring connection that remains vibrant even after Barrow’s passing at the age of 94 in 2022. Either way, Brueggeman recognizes that philanthropy fuels medical innovation at Houston Methodist and, in turn, helps countless people live healthier lives. He concludes, “Every act of generosity matters. I’m hopeful that my message will resonate with others and inspire them to give from the heart.”