Dr. Frederick LeRoy Brown

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Pennsylvania State University University of Michigan

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Frederick Brown Obituary

Dr. Frederick LeRoy Brown, 82, of Midland, died at his residence on Saturday, Dec. 29, 2007.

The son of the late George and Elsie (Eppeheimer) Brown Sr. was born Feb. 4, 1925, in Elverson, Pa. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II in the 3rd Armored Division from D-Day to VE-Day. He received a bachelor of science degree from Penn State University and a PhD from The State University of New York in forest products pathology in 1954. On April 21, 1949, he married the former Joanne S. Pepper in State College, Pa. Dr. Brown worked for The Dow Chemical Co., retiring in 1982 as a forest product pathologist. While at Dow, he developed a number of patented industrial wood glues and preservatives, as well as processes used in the paper industry. He was a member of the Midland First United Methodist Church and Centre Lodge #273 of Free and Accepted Masons.

Dr. Brown was a respected conservation leader and participated in the drive to protect and improve water quality throughout the Great Lakes basin. He was a founding member, board member and president of Great Lakes United and served as vice president and president of the Michigan United Conservation Clubs. Dr. Brown was appointed by Governors Milliken and Blanchard to the Michigan Special Commission on Land Use, Environmental Review Board and Water Resources Commission.

Over the years, Dr. Brown became a familiar figure at various state and Environmental Protection Agency hearings regarding water quality, Superfund sites and other matters in central Michigan. Until recently, Dr. Brown continued to remain active and involved in water quality matters, including the Pine River Superfund site at St. Louis.

Dr. Brown was presented with the Sol Feinstone Environmental Award in recognition of his lifelong dedication to and leadership on conservation issues. This award is given annually to five U.S. citizens who have made an outstanding contribution to improving the environment through their voluntary actions.

Dr. Brown was also a member of the Midland Intermediate Board of Education from 1961 to 1979, serving as president from 1969 to 1973 and a member of the Bullock Creek Board of Education from 1963 to 1974, serving during that time as secretary and then also as president.

Dr. Brown is survived by his wife of 58 years, Joanne Pepper Brown; his son, Fred (Pamela) Brown of Landenburg, Pa.; three daughters, Janice (Michael) London of Massillon, Ohio, Deborah (Robert) Disbro of Eaton Rapids, and Carolyn (Christian) Gurney of Des Moines, Iowa; seven grandchildren; four brothers; and two sisters. He was preceded in death by three brothers.

The family wishes to extend a heartfelt thank you to Holly Bluemer, Heartland Hospice and special caregivers who allowed Dr. Brown to enjoy the birds and wildlife from his home until his death. In accordance with Dr. Brown's wishes, his body has been donated to the University of Michigan. Final disposition of the cremains will be in the Schrader Memorial Gardens at the First United Methodist Church.

A memorial service will be conducted at 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 5, 2008, at the First United Methodist Church with the Rev. Susan Kingsley officiating.

The family will receive friends beginning at 1 p.m. until the time of the service. Memorial donations in lieu of flowers may be offered to the Salvation Army, 330 Waldo Ave., Midland, MI 48642 or a charity of choice.

Funeral arrangements for Dr. Brown are under the care of the Wilson MILLER Funeral Home where personal messages of support for the family may be offered at www.wilson-miller.com.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Midland Daily News on Jan. 1, 2008.

Memories and Condolences
for Frederick Brown

7 Entries

Charles Cubbage

January 17, 2008

My sympathies to the family. Over a number of years I had the opportunity to learn from Fred and to seek his advice, first as the Executive Sec of the Michigan Toxic Substance Control Commission and then in other roles. I will always treasure his honesty, dedication and his smile. We all will miss him. Warmest regards, Chuck

Chris Shafer

January 14, 2008

My deepest sympathy to Fred's family and friends. Let me first say that I wholehearedly agree with the comments from my friend and former colleague, Wayne Schmidt. Fred had a very commanding presence in a room when he was speaking, both because of his physical stature and because of his great knowledge of his subject matter. As former Chief of the Great Lakes Shorelands Section in the Michigan DNR, I was on the receiving end of Fred's penetrating questions on several occassions representing the agency before the old Michigan Environmental Review Board. Fred didn't ask questions merely to torment you, but rather to satisfy his concerns that you knew what you were talking about and that you were acting in the best interests of Michigan's environment.
Fred worked tirelessly on many important environmental causes and did a great job of holding agency officials accountable for acting in the public interest. Michigan's environment and natural resources are far better off because of Fred's dedication and diligence. He will be grealy missed.

Robin McClellan

January 7, 2008

My sincerest condolences to all family and friends who will find the world a little emptier for the loss of this giant.

I had the good fortune to serve with Fred on the Great Lakes United board. I was a young activist—compulsive and quick to jump—and Fred’s measured ways and stern looks were an example and a force that tempered my ways, something for which I am forever grateful.

Fred was the US Treasurer when I came on the board. He was committed to integrity and transparency in financial affairs and he steered a hard course through some bitter storms. I had the good fortune of following him as the US Treasurer and while his footsteps were quite large, they were well defined.

Perhaps someday I will be able to command the attention of a room the way he did when he spoke. He is sorely missed.

Melvin Visser

January 5, 2008

My deepest sympathy to Fred's close friends and family. I had the privilige of working with him as a fellow member of the Great Lakes Corporate Environmental Council in the mid 1980s. We were from opposite sides of the pole and through honest and rigorous interchange, we came together in respect. He was an admirable man who never stopped learning and kind mentor to a fledgling engineer struggling to understand chemical behavior in his Great Lakes. I am blessed to have known him.

Melvin J. Visser
Author of Cold, Clear, and Deadly: Unraveling a toxic legacy

Wayne Schmidt

January 3, 2008

My condolences to Fred’s family and close friends.

Fred was a giant. A man of uncompromising integrity. That’s what Fred always meant to me.

I first met him while working at MUCC in the 1970s. It never failed. When “Dr. Brown” stood to speak at the often-tempestuous Board of Directors meetings, the place hushed and people listened. Not because he was a past-president of MUCC. But because, well, he was Dr. Brown. Everyone knew that Fred always did his homework before speaking. Even better: most of the time, he was right.

Whatever his forum, when Dr. Brown took after an environmental problem, look out! Though he couldn’t always win, you could be sure he would exact a price from the polluters and the bureaucrats in his sights. The man had more technical questions than anyone I’ve ever known. He could drive people crazy with his questions.

Those honest questions and his sincerity, passion and good humor made a big difference. All the environment of Michigan and the Great Lakes Region is a better place because of Dr. Fred Brown. I will miss him.

Bob Upham

January 2, 2008

Dear Fred, Jr. & Family:

So sorry to hear of your father's death. I lost my father (14-12-03). It continues to be an empty spot in the life of our family. The LORD will protect & sustain you
during these difficult days & months that lay ahead. Continue to help and care for your mother as she will depend upon you as the eldest son.

I have not lived in Midland since my BCHS graduation in 1968 so I have lost contact with many of my peers. You are one of the few I remember who conquered Miss Eaton's Geometry class with ease. I struggled and continue to be mystified with Advanced Math. Instead, I work for the OH equivalent of the MI's ISD program. I consider it an honour and privilege to work daily with my adult MR/DD population. They are my true friends.

Our family will continue to lift your family & you up in the coming days & months. Read Psl.xxxvii for a refreshing view of the eternal promises of the LORD.

Bob (Lois, Jonathan Paul, & Elisabeth Marie) Upham
Mable Marie Upham

Myrna and Ed Bartlett

January 1, 2008

Dear Joanne and family,
Ed and I are in Florida for the winter and Ed is struggling with his health but he has good care. We are so sorry for your loss. Fred was a great human being, neighbor and advocate as a ISD member. We remember so many things from our days at Hignite Road in Midland. We lost our Tim last April but his great memories live with us and I hope the same will happen for Fred's family.
Know that we are thinking of you and pray for your peace. We will return to Midland in May sometime.

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