Joseph E. Brown

Brown, Joseph E.

Henrietta: Joe died peacefully on February 27, 2012. Born October 3, 1925 to Joseph E. Brown, Sr. and Mildred B. Brown in Kansas City, MO. Predeceased by his beloved wife, Helen Thomson Brown and his brother Robert Brown. Leaving cherished memories with his dear friend Helen Alletto, his cousin Bill Bergfeldt, his lifelong friend Phil Borden, together with those who surrounded him as family and friends.

Joe gratefully rested in the comfort and conversation of so many during his days at the Hildebrandt Hospice Care Center, including hosting his Thursday morning Men's Bible Study Group. He expressed his gratitude daily for the kind care of the dedicated hospice staff and volunteers. Remembered as activist, teacher, volunteer, mentor, caregiver, friend, Joe first became a ranch hand in Raton, NM upon graduation from Southwest High School, Kansas City, MO. He enlisted in the US Army in 1943, 399th Infantry Regiment, 7th Army Vosges Mtn. Campaign, northeast France, receiving the Combat Infantryman Badge. Joe completed his education in Printing Management at Carnegie Institute of Technology and Kansas State University. He joined the staff of Rochester Institute of Technology in 1958 teaching Paper Technology at the School of Printing, specializing in hand papermaking. He was awarded the Eisenhart Award for Excellence in teaching. He served as Chairman of RIT's Faculty Council. During the mid-1960s, Joe and his wife Helen joined the Peace Corps serving 2 years in Malaysia. He returned to RIT and completed his 35 year teaching career in 1992. Following caring for his wife at the time of her death in 1992, Joe trained to become a hospice caregiver. In May 2007, he was awarded the Outstanding Hospice Volunteer Award by the Hospice and Palliative Care Association of NYS. In 2008, Joe was honored by The Rochester Area Community Foundation for his passionate philanthropy. Joe's desire to make a difference in the Rochester community was voiced through his presence at St. Joseph's Home Foot Clinic, his advocacy with ALTY (Adding Life to Years) and through his service with the Genesee Center for the Arts and Education as a board member and an advocate and teacher in the Printing & Book Arts program. When you're in Laguna Beach, CA, Joe invites you to stop by Browns' Park, 551 South Coast Blvd., the site of his family's home overlooking the Pacific Ocean he donated to the City of Laguna Beach as a public park for all to enjoy the quiet, serene beauty of nature.

A memorial service celebrating Joe's life will be held Saturday, March 3, 2012 at 2 p.m. at the Downtown United Presbyterian Church, 121 N. Fitzhugh St., Rochester, NY 14614. In lieu of flowers, donations in Joe's memory may be made to the Joseph E. Brown Fund of The Rochester Community Foundation for the support of area hospice homes and caregiver education, 500 East Avenue, Rochester, NY 14626 or The Joe Brown Series on Health, Office of Development, Rochester Institute of Technology, 116 Lomb Memorial Drive, Rochester, NY 14623.