Charles H. Browne

Family-Placed Death Notice

Charles Hamet Browne, MD, 76 of Alpharetta, GA., died on Saturday, June 14, son of Sidi Hamet Browne and Ila Irene LeMaster Browne, a US Army veteran (occupation forces, Japan, 1945) and a native of Greenville, SC., Dr. Browne graduated from Furman University in 1949 where he was a recognized leader and included in Who's Who, American Colleges and Universities. He was a member of student government, Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity, Blue Key and was the recipient of the prestigious Algernon Sidney Sullivan Award, given to encourage and recognize individuals who exemplify largeness in thoughtfulness of others as a guiding philosophy throughout life and awarded to someone who, through leadership and devotion to his country, has made an outstanding contribution either to the local community or the area in which he serves. Dr. Browne earned his medical degree from the Medical College of South Carolina (now the Medical University of South Carolina) in 1953. He served an internship at Philadelphia General Hospital and then a residency in general and thoracic surgery at Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta, GA. In 1958 he moved to Anderson, SC to associate then become partner in the practice of surgery with Orr, Hancock and Huff, eventually opening his own practice in Anderson and later in Abbeville, SC. A diplomate of the American Board of Surgery, Dr. Browne was a gifted and caring physician. He was President of the Medical Society of Anderson, the Anderson County Board of Health, and served on the Board of Trustees for Trinity United Methodist Church. An amateur thespian, he was very active in the Anderson Community Theater, playing the role of Oscar in "The Odd Couple." His hobby was flying his Cessna Skyhawk and Dr. Browne often piloted his plane around South Carolina, Georgia and North Carolina. In the mid-1980's, Dr. Browne returned to school and served a residency in addictionology at Emory University Medical School, becoming board certified in this specialty. He was associated with Talbot Recovery Centers, and later was Medical Director of Ridgecrest Treatment Center in Smyrna, GA. Dr. Browne was a frequent speaker on the topic of addicted and impaired physicians and was a guest on the Joan Rivers television show. He served as Director of the Medical Association of Georgia's Impaired Physicians Program. Dr. Browne was first married to Winifred Compton Browne, with whom he has three surviving children, Cheryl Rebecca Browne Van Landingham of Charleston, SC; Geoffrey Hamet Browne, MD of Burlington, NC; and Sarah Jumelle Browne Craven of Atlanta, GA; and four grandchildren, Nathaniel Browne Van Landingham and Michael Edward Van Landingham of Charleston; and Meredith Compton Browne and Hannah Elizabeth Browne of Burlington, NC. Surviving is a former wife, Conness Gillespie Browne. Dr. Browne is also survived by his loving friend, former wife and companion, Lisa Kee of Alpharetta, GA; and a number of devoted cats and dogs. A memorial service will be held Wednesday, June 18, 2003 at St. Aidans Episcopal Church, 13560 Cogburn Road, Alpharetta, GA. at 3:00 p.m. Memorial gifts honoring the life and work of Dr. Browne may be made to St. Aidans Episcopal Church, 13560 Cogburn Road, Alpharetta, GA. 30004 or the Medical University of South Carolina, The Office of Development, 268 Calhoun Street, P.O. Box 250182 Charleston, SC 29425. Georgia Memorial Park Funeral Home, Winkenhofer Chapel.