subsequently also enlist or commission into the military. The Brewer family had a total of 10 family members join the military. Tobia Brewer Sr., Brewer's son, who served as a U.S. Army Captain, didn't initially grasp how his father’s military service impacted the family. But, upon deeper reflection, realized values and work ethic, even mannerisms, passed down to him and his siblings came from his father’s military training and service. “It was the discipline aspect that was very military,” said Tobia Sr. “Watch your gig line, be always ready.” There are now many U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force veterans in the Brewer family, but only one followed specifically in his grandfather’s footsteps, U.S. Coast Guard Lt. j.g Tobia Brewer II, who is currently serving on active duty. “Gramps always spoke very fondly of his service in the Coast Guard,” said Tobia II. “All the way until the end.” When Tobia II graduated from Gonzaga University in 2010, he was having trouble finding work. When discussing his trouble with Brewer, or ‘Gramps' as he referred to him, Brewer reflected about how much he loved the Coast Guard and his time in the service. Tobia II decided he was going to also serve in the Coast Guard. After enlisting, Tobia II loved to watch his grandfather's face light up with joy as he listened to stories of the modern-day Coast Guard. From seaman to lieutenant junior grade, Tobia II credits his grandfather for inspiring him to serve and rise in rank. Tobia II added that the Coast Guard’s missions align well with his family’s values, something he believes his grandfather gained from his time in and added one of the biggest impacts his grandfather had on him and his family is teaching them to do what’s right. Tobia II remembered a story his grandfather told about doing what’s right. In 1945, while Brewer was serving aboard Atalanta, Brewer found out the unit’s cook wasn’t receiving letters from home. Racial tensions were still extremely high during war efforts and being a cook was the only job African Americans could do in the military. Brewer learned the cook, who was from the deep south, did not know how to read or write. Brewer knew it would be a lot of work but decided to help the man send letters to his family. Brewer would sit down with the cook and transcribe everything his shipmate wanted to send in letters back to his home. On mail days, whenever an envelope would arrive with the cook’s name on it, Brewer would eagerly tear it open and read it with his new friend. This would be a TAPS Senior Chief Petty Officer Gregory “Kaz” Kaszubowski, USCGR, 73, passed away June 28, 2021, at his home in Leesburg, Fla. Senior Chief Kaszubowski was born Dec. 20, 1947, and served his country in the Coast Guard as a health services technician for before retiring after 36 years of military service, including a deployment for Desert Shield/Desert Storm with Port Security Unit 301. He worked for the Department of Veterans Affairs and belonged to the Legacy of Leesburg Veterans Club. He loved spending time with his family and loving grandchildren Senior Chief Kaz is survived by his loving wife of 34 years, Deborah; his sons Jeffrey (Andrea) and Michael (Miki), six grandchildren, his brother Jerome, and many other family members and friends. He was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather; a true family man and a highly respected veteran. He will be missed by all who knew him. Petty Officer 2nd Class Thomas Andrew Meyers II, USCGR, 56, passed away June 9, 2021, in Swanton, Ohio. He was born Feb. 16, 1965, to Frances and Thomas A. Meyers and grew up in Point Place. After becoming an Eagle scout in 1980, Petty Officer Meyers enlisted in the Coast Guard in 1982 at 17. He earned his degree in nursing, and he worked at the former Riverside Hospital in North Toledo, Ohio, before becoming nursing director of, in turn, Josina Lott Residential & Community Services, Swanton Health Care, and Oak Leaf Village. He continued his military service in Toledo, but was activated with the Port Clinton, Ohio-based port security unit and sent to Bahrain during Operation Desert Shield. Upon his return, he took part in the 1991 National Victory Celebration in Washington and the ticker-tape parade in New York. He retired from the Coast Guard in 2004. Petty Officer Meyers is survived by his loving wife, Stacey, and his mother, Frances. Issue 3 • 2021 � RESERVIST 55 process that would continue until they left the Atalanta in 1946. Brewer’s passion for helping others didn’t stop with his Coast Guard service. The City of Spokane was also greatly impacted by Brewer. He was a city councilman for several years, a transportation advocate and pressed for more affordable housing. Brewer passed away in May 2021 at the age of 93 and was laid to rest with military honors. His mischievous, do-good personality stayed with him until the end. His service to the country and service to his community is a prime example of the Coast Guard’s core values of honor, respect and devotion to duty. Brewer’s courage and influence set him to be one of the unsung heroes of World War II and the Pacific Northwest. His efforts, and the efforts of anyone of the Greatest Generation, protected the freedom and security of Americans now and for greater generations to come. �
