Gary Brummond 1952-2019

Those who knew Gary Brummond from his many years as a volunteer and board member of Quatrefoil library in Minneapolis were saddened to hear of his death in early December. He was 67. 

The Minneapolis resident worked at the Quatrefoil front desk on the third Tuesday of each month for two decades. He also served on the nonprofit’s board of directors. Once, when the board president had to leave the state, Gary was drafted as interim board president. 

His dedication to the library can be seen in several framed works of GLBTQ+ memorabilia in permanent view at the library. One displays more than 100 Pride and political buttons that Gary collected, mounted and framed. Another framed collage presents books and magazines important to Quatrefoil’s mission.

Gary earned a degree in English Literature from Winona State University in 1975. Years later, he got a Master’s degree in Library Science from the University of St. Catherine. One of his projects at St. Kate’s involved increasing young adult books and movies in the Quatrefoil collection at a time when the library had very few such materials.

“Gary was a loyal longtime volunteer at Quatrefoil, and was a joy to know and work with,” said Kathy Robbins, herself a veteran volunteer at the library. “His legacy lives on at the library in many ways, including the friendships formed there.”

Gary asked that memorials in his memory go to Quatrefoil or the Aliveness Project. Two of Gary’s coworkers at Alerus visited the library on Dec. 21 bearing a generous donation raised in Gary’s name by people in his office.

Gary was preceded in death by siblings Nancy Dougherty, Phyllis Ostbye, Brad Brummond, & Greg Brummond, and is survived by loving sister Judy Brummond, many nieces and nephews, and loving friends. A memorial has already taken place.