Richard Alan Brower

Richard Alan Brower passed away on July 20, 2012. Services will be held at North Chapel in Liberty Station on Saturday, July 28, 2012 at 10:00 am. There will be a private burial at Miramar National Cemetery.


In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations are made to the following charities:

Dr. Richard Brower Memorial Fund, 5575 Ruffin Road, Suite 250, San Diego, CA 92123
Donations online: http://sdcmsf.org/ Click on the Donation Link and when prompted to donate or pledge, please opt to donate to this fund

Lifesharing – A Donate Life Organization, 3465 Camino del Rio South, Suite 410, San Diego, CA 92108
Donations online: www.lifesharing.org/gifts

Link to Biography: http://www.mem.com/Story/5179627/57256330/57256334?title=Biography

Tribute from the Kaiser Permanente Gastroenterology Department:

Full name: Richard Alan Brower
Age at time of death: 58 years old
Date and place of birth: September, 1953 - (Staten Island, NY)
Cause of death: Intracranial hemorrhage
Date of death: 7/20/2012
Place of death: Scripps Memorial Hospital, La Jolla, CA
Spouse: Ruhiyyih Brower
Date of marriage: October 13, 2007
Survivors: Ruhiyyih Brower (wife); Jessica Brower (daughter); Jason Brower (son) - all of San Diego/La Jolla; Helen Brower (mother) (Greendale, WI); Linda Simmons (sister) (Burlington, WI)

Civic, religious or professional organizations:
San Diego GI Society (SDGI Society), American Gastroenterological Association (AGA), American College of Gastroenterology (ACG), American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE)

After a distinguished career in the US Navy, when he trained many gastroenterologists, Dr. Brower joined Kaiser San Diego as the 4th gastroenterologist in 1986. His Kaiser colleagues knew that they were very fortunate to have been able to attract and hire one of the best gastroenterologists in San Diego. From the beginning, he demonstrated outstanding clinical ability. He applied his masterful endoscopic expertise, especially in the developing technique of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), to countless patients, sparing many from invasive, surgical procedures. He generously assisted and taught his colleagues and GI fellows who were often amazed that he was as good as internationally prominent endoscopists. If he knew he was as good as he was, he didn't flaunt it. He was a true professional. It was always about his patients and Kaiser, not him.
Dr. Brower was highly motivated and never compromised the quality of his patient care no matter how long the work day. Despite his arduous schedule, he volunteered his time on weekends to perform procedures on those who lack sufficient health care insurance - this through Kaiser Permanente's "Super Saturday" clinics. Consequently, he diagnosed and removed pre-cancereous lesions, thus sparing these people from suffering from progressive cancer. He became Chief of Gastroenterology in 2007 and, despite challenges such as the new electronic medical record and expanding to other locations, he solved problems so calmly and efficiently that his colleagues never knew how hard he was working. He offered his opinions at Regional meetings unhesitatingly and respectfully. Because he led by example, the GI staff willingly cooperated to achieve goals, rather than needing to be pushed. As his department struggles without his leadership, at least it will proceed from the high level of professionalism that he established.

Through his teaching and his expert patient care, Dr. Brower touched countless lives. He saved many lives and provided comfort and palliation to those he could not save.

His wife, Ruhiyyih, and children, Jessica and Jason, are dealing with an immense and unexpected loss.

As would be expected, Dr. Brower designated himself as an organ donor, so that his final medical contribution will save and improve the lives of many fortunate transplant recipients.