CLARENCE "CLUTCH" BROWN

BROWN, Clarence MD "Clutch" Age 94, beloved husband, father, and medical doctor left us for the great ice skating rink in the sky on Saturday, September 30. Dad was able to live at his Natick home of 59 years under the great pines overlooking Lake Cochituate with his devoted wife of 72 years, Shirley M. Brown, by his side until his death. Saddened by their loss but grateful for his life are his children, Eric R. Brown (Jean Camuso), Michael A. Brown, and Gretchen "Rose" Brown (Timothy Carlisle), and his grandchildren Jarred and Nathaniel Brown, Emma Carlisle and Faith Lindley-Brown. His son David J. Brown and wife Dominique preceded him in death. His children emulated him, all working in healing professions. Clutch was born and raised in Cleveland Ohio with his parents Rose and Abraham, and siblings Charles, Sidney, Sylvia, Doris and Beverly, all who preceded him in death. In ROTC training at Ohio State, he enlisted in the Army during WWII. The army fast tracked him through a BA and then Tufts University Medical School. He met his wife, an army nurse, at Cushing Army Hospital in Framingham and after graduation they moved together for his internship at Walter Reed National Military Hospital, Washington,DC. Discharged in 1950, in the active reserves, dad was swiftly reactivated to serve in the Korean War as Physician and Company Commander on the front lines. He received a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart. After the war dad continued in active reserves and continued medical training in pulmonary medicine at a TB hospital in Cleveland , OH and later at Boston City Hospital where he became chief resident. In 1955 Clutch joined with Dr. Saul Radovsky to open the Suburban Medical Center in Natick, MA, and a branch in Holliston. Dr. Bart Alfano joined them as a third partner. For 25 years he loyally served as doctor to the families of the metro west communities. One of the last doctors to provide house calls, he also "moonlighted" on weekends at the Framingham Union Emergency Room and taught Anatomy and Physiology courses to Tufts Medical and Dental students. Clutch left the partnership in 1980 to return to full-time army serving as Chief of Medicine at Cutler Army Medical Hospital, Fort Devens in Danvers, MA. Retiring three years later, Colonel Brown was awarded the Meritorious Service Award for his 41 years of Army service. At age 60 in 1983, he joined the staff at Metro West's Emergency Room where he enjoyed 20 years of learning and practicing emergency medicine. Dad was a life-long student of medicine and science; he took courses on-line in Math and Physics, and read his journals until he passed. Clutch began figure skating with his wife and friends in 1968. Ice dance was his passion and respite from his challenging profession. It combined his love of music and artistry and was a channel for his vigorous energy. He leaves behind his skating partner and great friend, Annie Brayton and her husband, Bob. He took his children hiking as soon as they could walk and they all became passionate outdoorsmen. He loved to swim, row, and sail on beautiful Lake Cochituate. Dads motto was leave things better then you found them, and he did. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Southern Poverty Law Center, PO Box 548, Montgomery, AL 36104-9621 or a charity of your choosing.

View the online memorial for Clarence MD "Clutch" BROWN