David MacNeille Brown

March 16, 1934 - October 12, 2013 David MacNeille Brown passed away peacefully at home on Saturday, October 12, 2013. He was the first son of David Dunning Brown and Harriet MacNeille Brown. Born in 1934 in Evanston Ill., David was raised in and dearly loved his hometown of Glencoe Ill. He attended New Trier High School and earned his undergraduate degree from Grinnell College in Iowa. He then attended the University of Wisconsin, Madison to begin his graduate studies in History. He married Linda L. Larson of Rochelle Ill. on July 3rd, 1957. The new couple moved west to California and eventually settled in Calabasas where they raised two sons. He served in the California National Guard. While a new father David attended UCLA and completed his coursework for a Ph.D. in history. For over 40 years he taught history and political science at L.A. Valley College, greatly enjoying his interactions with students of all backgrounds. In addition to his life as a loving father and beloved professor, David dedicated much of his free time to social and environmental causes. David and Linda divorced in 1972 but remained good friends until his death. During the 1970s and early 1980s he lobbied the State Legislature and Congress to establish several parks in the rapidly developing Santa Monica Mountains. His efforts, along with dozens of others, resulted in the formation of Malibu Creek State Park and the Santa Monica Mountain Recreation Area. David also had a vision, now realized, of a trail running from the urban core of Los Angeles 70 miles along the Santa Monica Mountains to the western end of the range in Point Mugu State Park. This vision was based on his ideas that access to wild spaces for urban residents was critical in reducing stress and developing an appreciation for the nature around us. In the late 1980s and onwards David became increasingly involved in land use issues in Malibu, Calabasas, Agoura (he was actively involved in the incorporation of the latter two cities) and the greater Santa Monica Mountains. He served on the City of Calabasas Planning Commission for several decades and earned national recognition from the American Planning Association for this volunteer civic work. David was also appointed to many state and federal boards and commissions including the Advisory Board of the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy, which he has served on since the mid-1980s. He was also actively involved with National Park Service in establishing the Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail, through California and Arizona. David was preceded in death by his parents and beloved brother Pennington Clarence Brown. David leaves behind two sons, David Clarence Brown of Catalina and Christopher Dunning Brown of Yuba City, Ca. his Sister Tracy Wickwire of Lincoln, Maine and many thousands of acres of protected open space and parkland for future generations to enjoy and explore. At the request of the family no services are planned.