For Bryan Mincks, helping others was more than a career—it was a calling. As the son of a U.S. Army surgeon, Bryan spent his childhood moving from state to state, experiencing life across the country. One of his favorite places was Hawaii, where he fondly remembered attending school barefoot. Eventually, the Mincks family settled in Iowa, where Bryan graduated from Iowa Wesleyan University.
His passion for people led him into a lifelong career in fundraising. Bryan served Iowa Wesleyan and other institutions including Aquinas College in Grand Rapids and Lake Superior State University in Sault Ste. Marie, helping connect generosity with opportunity. But it was his 25 years at Boysville of Michigan, a home for troubled youth in Lenawee County, where Bryan found his deepest purpose. His empathy and commitment made a lasting difference in countless young lives.
Bryan’s kindness extended far beyond his professional work. He was known for his outgoing spirit, his warm smile, and his ability to turn even a quick trip to the grocery store into a moment of connection. Always active and engaged, he volunteered at Hickman Hospital, Handler Funeral Home, and with the Kiwanis Club of Tecumseh. He also shared his love of music by playing flute at Cambrian Assisted Living and singing in his church choir for many years.
Two of Bryan’s sisters and both parents preceded him in death, and each had scholarships created in their memory. Continuing that tradition of generosity, Bryan’s family established the Bryan Mincks Scholarship in 2025, to honor his lifelong commitment to helping others achieve their dreams. Through this fund, Bryan’s spirit of service and compassion will continue to inspire and uplift students for generations to come—bringing health, happiness, and hope to our community, for the love of Lenawee.