Bryce C. Brown

Bryce Cardigan Brown, 88, died Monday, June 2, 2008, after a recent stroke. Services will be 11 a.m. Friday, June 6, at Brazos Funeral Home on Washington Avenue with burial following at Oakwood Cemetery. He was born May 7, 1920, in Harlingen, Texas the youngest son of Roy and Lucinda Brown. He grew up in the Rio Grande Valley where he began his life long fascination with reptiles and amphibians, keeping a small "zoo" in his own backyard. After graduating from Harlingen H.S. in 1938, he went to the University of Texas, where he majored in zoology, graduating in 1942. He joined the US Army and served three years in the China Burma India Theater, during WWII in the field of malaria control. In 1945, he returned to Texas and married Lillian M. Seeliger, who preceded him in death in 1990. He earned his MS in Biology at Texas A&M in 1948, and later his PhD in Vertebrate Zoology from the University of Michigan. Bryce began his long academic career at Baylor University in 1947, where he eventually became Professor of Biology, teaching Zoology, Herpetology, and Vertebrate Biology. He also served as Curator, and later Director, of the Strecker Museum, where he initiated the Museum Studies Program at Baylor. He mentored many undergraduate and graduate students, often taking them on zoological field trips to Mexico and other locales. He published 27 articles in herpetology and was active in various scientific organizations, including serving as president of both the Texas Herpetological Society and the Texas Museums Association. He was Director of the Central Texas Science Fair from 1957 to 1983, further encouraging science education for children. After retiring from Baylor in 1983, Dr. Brown continued his interest in natural history with overseas trips to Africa, India, Australia, the South Pacific, and elsewhere. He was preceded in death by his wife, Lillian M. Brown; and by his three brothers, Angus, Haskel and Leo L. Brown. He is survived by his five children Roy B. Brown and wife, Helen of Orlando, Fla., Leo D. Brown and wife, Paulette of Baton Rouge, La., Brent A. Brown and wife, Ellen of Waco, Alton A. Brown of Richardson, Texas, and Carol B. Johnson and husband, Douglas of College Station; 10 grandchildren, Esther M. Brown, Joel M. Brown, Kenneth W. Brown, Richard L. Brown and wife, Gina, Lisa V. Brown, Albert E. Brown, Eric Y. Brown and wife, Stacey, Seth R. Johnson, Naomi L. Johnson, and Aaron B. Johnson; and also survived by one great-granddaughter, Lili Yukika C. Brown. Memorials may be made to the Texas Herpetological Society or the Mayborn Museum at Baylor University. The family invites you to leave a message or memory in our "Memorial Guestbook" at www.brazosfuneralhome.com May 7, 1920 - June 2, 2008 Sign the Guest Book at www.wacotrib.com