Brian Andrew Van Tine, 53, of St Louis, Missouri passed away on Saturday, November 8, 2025.
He was surrounded by his husband Josh; mother, Carole; brother Matthew and several close friends. Brian is preceded in death by his father, William Clinton Van Tine, and brother, Eric William Van Tine. Brian is survived by his husband, Joshua Joe Hall; his mother, Carole Irene Van Tine; brother, Mathew Paul Van Tine; mother-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, and nephews.
Born in Phoenix, Arizona, Dr. Van Tine earned dual bachelor’s degrees in chemistry and biochemistry with a minor in music from the University of Arizona. He received his MD and PhD at the University of Alabama in Birmingham. He completed his internship and residency in internal medicine and his oncology fellowship training at WashU Medicine and Barnes-Jewish Hospital.
Dr. Van Tine joined the Division of Oncology in 2011 and rose to full Professor in Medicine and Pediatrics in 2021. He was appointed as Director of Developmental Therapeutics (Phase I) at the Siteman Cancer Center in 2021. His amazing curiosity and drive led him to build one of the nation’s leading sarcoma clinical and research programs. Many know Brian as a brilliant researcher and compassionate physician who devoted his career to developing treatments for sarcoma. His devotion to his patients and research is well known and appreciated. He was also an amazing husband, son, mentor and friend.
He was forward-thinking and creative. His intellect and joy reached far beyond medicine and science. He loved French cuisine, fine wines, travel and art. He collected Dutch landscapes and loved the elegance of “past eras”. He was an avid fan of musicals, and his absence in the front row will be notable on opening nights at the Fabulous Fox Theater’s Broadway Club where he and his beloved spouse, Josh, spent many Tuesday evenings. He loved classical musical and was an accomplished oboist. He served as the Lead Oboist for the Town and County Symphony Orchestra for several seasons.
Traditionally, the orchestra tunes to the oboe. The oboe has a clear bright sound and their ‘A’ is exactly right. Like the orchestra, those of us blessed enough to know Brian Andrew Van Tine looked to him for direction. He had a zest for life and an insatiable curiosity that few can match. While he would happily share his knowledge, he loved learning from others even more. He was rare in his open-mindedness and intellectual humility. He was not afraid of being vulnerable., If asked, “what if it doesn’t work” his response was always, “what if it does!”
Services: Visitation will be held at Kutis Funeral Home, 2906 Gravois Ave, St. Louis, MO 63118, on Thursday, November 13, 2025, from 3-8 pm. His funeral service will be held at the Cathedral Basilica on Friday, November 14, 2025, at 10 AM. He will be buried at Calvary Cemetery.
Donations in his memory may be directed to the Sarcoma Research Fund at Washington University to continue his life’s work advancing cancer therapeutics.
Dear Brian
This is so sad. I recall you staying with me in my tiny house when you came to my wedding in 1992. I was worried what you’d think of my tiny abode as you lived in a ranch house in Arizona yet you just said how quaint it was. I took you out to my local pub where you got incredibly drunk with my friends only for me to realise that at 20 you weren’t able to drink back home. However it was a fun time and you really made me laugh.
You’ll be sorely missed. I was due to pay you a visit next year which sadly now I cannot do. You’re a hero to many and rightly so. Your legacy will live long in the memory
Sleep well now Brian, your cousin Mason x
Thoughts and prayers are with you and your family Josh.
Brian was amazing soul, I loved when he would bring puzzles to work the mon into the office. He was a Happy, smart and caring soul and will be missed. Josh l, you are in our prayers. With Love, Helen & Dale
Dear Brian,
You were so loved. I am so glad I got to know you. I will miss you
Thank you, Brian, we have known each other for almost 12 years. When Cheryl and I came to you scared at what we were facing. You guide us through this rocky time and saved my life 3 times! My family and I can never thank you for that. It was always a joy to see you even when you had bad news for us. We would discuss for a few minutes on my treatment plan and then we talk about vacations you and Josh went on and what vacations we have been on and wanted to go. When we saw each other last in late August, we laughed and talked about our Jamaica trip and upcoming Hawaii trip. RIP my friend and again Thank you Dave, Cheryl, Lexi and Payton
Brian, I really appreciate you supporting me as a trainee and young pathologist. You, Angie and John really allowed me to grow and I will never forget that. You, your engaging spirit and your work will be missed. Carina
Through all the wonderful things I had heard about Brian from Josh, I felt I knew him much better than having only met him once. It was obvious he was a kind, loving, caring, and joyous individual. I’m pretty sure it was Mark Twain. Who said the two most important days are the day we were born and the day we find out why.. Brian now that you know your why; may you rest peacefully in the comfort of God‘s arms.
We are sorry for your loss. Brian was an amazing person who went above and beyond to help when he could. Maybe others can find solace and inspiration in all of the acts of kindness and compassion he made come to fruition. His presence will be missed. Our sympathy, thoughts and prayers go out to Josh and family.
Mournfully,
Han and Walter
Dear Josh, Carole, Family,
I want you to know how much Brian meant to our family.
My husband was a patient of his & he honestly saved my husband’s life. We were actually suppose to see him on Monday, 11/17 for a yearly scan. Eight years ago, when my husband was out of options & we were very much afraid, we turned to Brian as a last resort & he was there to help.
He did so many amazing things & helped so many people in his short time on earth. I guess now, the Lord needed him more.
His knowledge, his determination, tirelessness & deep caring meant so much to SO MANY! We will forever be so very grateful and these simple words don’t seem ample, but I hope you understand.
May he rest in peace now & may you all find comfort in your memories & in knowing what an amazing legacy still lives on in what he left behind. Be proud & stay strong. Our prayers are with you.
Sincerely, Michelle & Michael Elliott
It was my great privilege to work with Brian at Washington University School of Medicine from his 1st year of oncology fellowship until 2023. He was an amazing clinician and human being. His loss will be deeply felt by so many it’s difficult to enumerate. He touched so many, saved so many lives, the loss is incalculable. He was indefatigable and lived his life with a passion that was always in high gear whether he was in clinic with his amazing team or regaling us with tales of his travels or his latest restaurant find. But there is no doubt his greatest passion was his patients and his research. On a personal note, due to Brian’s intervention and expertise, my brother-in-law is alive today. My sincere condolences to Brian’s family , his patients, and his dedicated team and many colleagues in the Division of Oncology.
I first met Brian many years ago when he was a fellow and I a rt. I was pulled to bmt from my usual micu and ccu. He came in the room confident and cheery. Started asking questions about the vent. He was very inquisitive. I really enjoyed talking with him. I only saw him a few more times. Always cheery and always cared about his patients. Never saw him again after that. He had many accomplishments and a good life. Wish he would of been around another 15 to 20 years. The world was a better place with him in it.
We met in December of 2019. And a relationship was built from there. I loved getting to know you. You always encouraged me not to give up. My heart just drop when I got the news from my mom. As my tears flowed I started laughing because you were just mesmerized by my shirts saying and my jewelry. We had to have a whole conversation before you would give me the news about my cancer. I love you Dr. and I would never forget you. Thank you for saving my life.
It was September 2022, My husband and I was honored to meet Josh and Brian in Mexico @ the Casitas while we all were celebrating our Anniversary! The minute I seen Brian, I said to my husband, “Sweetheart, I think I just seen “Patton Oswalt!” 🤣🤣🤣 My husband says, ” Baby. I think that is him!” 🤣🤣🤣 Next thing you know, We all are talking, drinking and in the pool with Josh and Brian and just having a good time. Meeting these two, made our Anniversary very special. We felt like we had been knowing Brian and Josh for years. Thank you, Josh! For sharing Brian with us. Love you both!
The Butlers
Dr. Dr. Van Tine’s Family, First, please allow me to express my deepest condolences and sorrow upon receiving the news of my cherished favorite doctor’s passing. I’m sure you’ve heard this from countless others who were blessed enough to be in his care, but I can’t stress this enough. I owe my life to Dr. Brian Van Tine. I was referred to him with a an extremely rare, Stage 3 Sarcoma, and very little hope. Dr. Van Tine wouldn’t give up on me. And he would allow me to give up on myself, even when I was ready to go home on hospice and let nature take its course. He advocated for me with other doctors who said my case was impossible. He believed the impossible could be made possible. With his humor, caring, candor and wit, he was instrumental in planning the more than 20 hours of tumor resection surgery that saved my life last spring. He even made me laugh, but I guess that was part of his secret “good medicine. I was dying when I first went to Dr. Van Tine, but the good doctor wouldn’t have that. He fought for me and forced me to fight for myself. I have a second life now, because of Dr. Van Tine. That’s a debt I could never repay. My prayers go on with this great man’s husband, family, friends and colleagues. I hope you will take comfort in knowing that everything he did mattered. I’m living proof. I hope I can be worthy of the new life ge gave me. He will never be forgotten, not by me.
My wife and I are very sorry to hear of Brian’s death. He helped us greatly get through the treatments to cure the sarcoma I was battling. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and colleagues.
Just this January, I met Brian after my EHE sarcoma diagnosis that rocked my world. Caring and kind, knowledgeable and wise, he reassured me and my husband that treatments were available, and that I’d probably need a new oncologist (he would retire before I actually needed treatment) in the next 17 years. He was so upbeat and interested in me as a person, not as a disease, that I had to sit calmly and talk about grandkids and upcoming vacations, while he held my quarterly report printout in his hand, not knowing the positive result he’d reveal. As we say in Yiddish, he was a “mensch”, a good person, and I was very fortunate to have known him as my doctor. My next scan in early December will be clinically the same, however not as rich, whatever my outcome.
Our sympathies to his husband, mom and family and colleagues.
Dr Brian is to sad this notification we are very thankful for the time you take care of my wife Irais good blessing for you and family
Dr. Van Tine was a household name for my husband Aaron and me, as well as our family and friends, as he treated Aaron for osteosarcoma over 3 years. There is no doubt Brian gave Aaron extra years. His creativity and determination brought us hope. When one treatment stopped working, he always had options for us to keep going, keep fighting. When we were afraid, he brought his can-do positivity into the room, and we left with more hope than we came in with. He was a brilliant, caring, passionate man, and that’s just what we could see from having him as our doctor. From the loved ones of Aaron and me, we wish comfort to Josh and all those who love Brian. His life gave life to others, a truly remarkable legacy that has made untold difference in the world.
Dr. Brian saved our son Shawn’s life. His prognosis was for 2 to 5 years and he promised us he was going to do everything he could possibly do to make this a marathon not just a race. That was 12 years ago. He never let Shawn lose hope even when things looked the bleakest. What a wonderful angel on earth as I am sure he is in heaven. Condolences to his husband and family. This is such a great loss for our community!
You were my son’s doctor for a few short years when Jess was diagnosed with Synovial Sarcoma in 2016. You had mad so many attempts to keep his cancer at bay, unfortunately, Jess passed on January 25. 2018. I will never forget your wonderful bedside manner and how you explained the treatments to a young man who had just started to enjoy his young adulthood and was looking so forward to enjoying his life with his precious daughter. You will be so dearly missed by so many
Brian was an amazing doctor who cared and listened to his patients. I give Glory to God for sending us to Brian and I thank God everyday for giving him the knowledge needed to know what medicines for my son and for being there and seeing what God did for my son. You will forever be missed. Fly high in the sky Dr. Van-tine
God bless you, Dr. Van Tine! For almost 15 years he frequently came into the consultation room seemingly as excited as we were to report that lab tests revealed Roy’s cancer had not grown or spread. But when it did, his professional, hopeful attitude were such a comfort to know/think we had a doctor who cared enough to stay informed about the details of Roy’s medical care and advise us of the direction we could trust to follow.
He loved sharing with us interesting details about his multiple trips nationally and internationally…like a happy school-boy, rather than the medical intellectual that he was. The research inspired him. He will be…and is deeply missed! As Catholics, my family will be remembering Dr. Van Tine in several Masses offered in his memory, and thanking God for him in our lives.
Dr Van Tine saved my son’s life. At a young 18 years diagnosed with a rare childhood sarcoma we were referred to Dr Van Tine. He truly gave my son the best treatment option available and helped guide him through the long year of treatments and radiation. My son is now in year 6 remission and we owe that to Dr Van Tine and his team at Wash Univ. We are thankful he was part of his medical team and are saddened to hear of his untimely passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this time and in the future.
While I did not get the pleasure of meeting you, just knowing that you was such an accomplished Dr. and part of the Siteman Center, just saddens me that you have passed. I have been going to Siteman Center for almost 1.5yrs. South County, Shiloh, IL, West County, and Barnes. I have never met a person who was not outstanding and caring. So by this is I know you was just as special. God bless you and your family. RIP Sir.
We met Dr. Brian in November 2012 when my husband, Tony, was diagnosed with an extremely rare tumor with characteristics which had never been seen before. My husband was stumped as to who Dr. Brian looked like until one day driving home from an appointment he said, ‘It’s Spence from King of Queens!’ (Patton Oswalt), we nicknamed him Dr. Spence after that! We loved Dr. Brian’s bedside manner and ability to explain every step of his plan. He did not play God, never arrogant, always open to listening to us and discussing treatments, a very gifted, intelligent, and compassionate man. But the tumor proved invincible and my husband passed July 3, 2013. Even so, I have always counted Dr. Brian as one of the angels at Siteman Cancer, he fought vigorously for Tony. May his husband and family members find peace soon in the future knowing he has returned to the arms of the angels. His family should be proud of his service and work accomplishments, and that he served the StL area well and will be truly missed.
A doctor and a friend. He work tirelessly for his patients like me. Words can’t express the impact Dr Van Tine had on my life. I will never forget him and his words of wisdom (usually delivered in witty and humorous way).
Our Deepest Sympathies to Dr. Van Time’s Family and Colleagues at this time of tragedy and change. We are thankful for the Hope, Care and Referrals that he gave to our son Matthew through his illness.
Dr Van Tine saved my husband’s life we will be forever grateful to him and his amazing team. He will truly be missed It was heartbreaking not seeing him for our follow up this week.
We thank God every day for bringing him into our lives he was compassionate funny and always looked on the bright side.
He will never be forgotten
Dear Dr. Van Tine,
We are so sad to hear of your untimely passing. We have known you for many years as you guided Marie-France’s treatment for Stage IV LMS. After two lengthy surgeries and two radiation treatments you guided her through a series of chemo-therapies. Each worked for a while, then didn’t, but you never gave up. In the end, which turned out not to be the end, you tried a hail Mary and gave her off-label immuno drugs that were just beginning to be used. They worked immediately and she has remained in remission for many years now. Many thanks, may you rest in peace.
Dr. Van Tine was one of my wife’s Doctors at Siteman. She loved Dr. Van Tine and always appreciated his confidence. She has since passed away (Breast Cancer), but her medical team was the best, and she lived well for a long time because of thier work. The stories in these comments are amazing, and how fortunate we all are to have people like Dr. Van Tine giving it thier all! A heartfelt thanks from the husband of a patient he once helped.