I did not know Brian but obviously he was a well liked, well respected Man in both his private and professional lives. His passing is a sad loss to his family and friends.
That said, to describe the natural, and to some extent expected end of a person's life as a "terrible" loss diminishes what others are going through when, for example, their two year old daughter is abducted by persons unknown, for reasons unknown.
Please let's remember what "terrible" means.
Zeb.