Brijendra "Brij" Kumar Garg, Ph.D., 79, of Cumberland, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, with his loving son by his side, holding his hand and comforting him.

Born in Delhi, India, Brij was the son of the late Om and Darshan (Devi) Garg. A gifted student with a lifelong passion for learning, he graduated from IIT Delhi before immigrating to the United States. He continued his academic journey at the University of Washington and later Washington State University, where he earned his Ph.D. It was during his time in college that he met his future wife, Kathy Ann Sinclair.

After completing his studies, Brij began his professional career at the BF Goodrich Company in Avon Lake, Ohio, where he and Kathy welcomed their son, Ajay. The family later moved to Succasunna, New Jersey, and in 1996 Brij and Ajay settled in Manalapan, New Jersey. In 2003, Brij moved to Texas, and the following year to Rhode Island, where he joined the Teknor Apex Company. He retired in January 2026 after a long and impactful career.

Brij was a respected scientist, mentor, and colleague whose work touched many lives. He was especially proud of developing Fireguard, a product that earned him the prestigious Norman M. Fain Award in 2008. His coworkers and friends at Teknor Apex fondly remember his playful smile, gentle nature, and the kindness he extended to everyone he met.

He is survived by his devoted son, Ajay S. Garg, and his extended family at Teknor Apex. Brij's legacy lives on in the many people he mentored and inspired throughout his life.

Brijendra's Life Celebration will be held on Saturday, August 1, 2026, in the J. J. Duffy Funeral Home, 757 Mendon Road, Cumberland with visitation from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m., followed by a service at 11:00 a.m. Cremation will follow, and all are welcome. In remembrance of Brij, those attending are encouraged to wear white dress shirts and black slacks.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Brij's name may be made to the Washington State University Material Science & Engineering Graduate Program, Pullman, WA 99164-2950, or to the Prostate Cancer Research Foundation, National Processing Center, P.O. Box 7015, Albert Lee, MN 56007-9974.