Dr. Wallace David Brown

1941 - 2024

Dr. Wallace David Brown

February 11, 1941 - August 1, 2024

Raleigh, North Carolina - Dr. Wallace David Brown, "Wally" to his friends and family, passed away peacefully at his home on August 1, 2024. Born in Great Barrington, Massachusetts to the late Dr. Foster and Catherine Brown in 1941, Wally's life was a testament to compassion, family, and a love for learning and teaching.

Wally's athleticism shone in his early years. A standout in basketball, baseball, and football, he left his mark in the halls of Oswego High School and St. Lawrence University's Athletic Halls of Fame. An experience delivering newspapers to a hospital as a child sparked a lifelong interest in medicine, leading him to the University of Rochester Medical School where he met his future wife, Paulette.

Their story began in 1966 and blossomed into a loving 58-year marriage. Together, they raised four children: Tim, Kate, Matt, and Meg. Wally's medical career began at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, followed by service at the William Beaumont Army Medical Center in El Paso, Texas.

In 1974, Wally joined forces with Dr. Bill Hubbard and Dr. Jerry Bernstein to establish Raleigh and Garner Pediatrics. Together they created a collaborative learning environment, mirroring the teamwork Wally cherished from his athletic days. He thrived on serving his patients and their families while staying at the forefront of his field.

Wally's dedication extended beyond the walls of his practice. After witnessing the lack of access to quality health care for many underserved children, Wally was instrumental in advocating for the expansion of child health insurance programs in North Carolina. He championed increased Medicaid payments for pediatric care and chaired North Carolina's efforts to implement Congress' 1990 State Child Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). His contributions helped ensure thousands more of North Carolina's children received the healthcare they deserved.

Even after retiring from Raleigh Peds, Wally continued to serve the next generation. For 15 years, he graced the halls of UNC Memorial Hospital as a clinical professor, influencing countless residents with his enthusiasm and experience. He instilled in them the joy of medicine and its history as well as the importance of serving their communities.The North Carolina Pediatric Society named Wally as a recipient of the David T. Tayloe, Sr. Award for Outstanding Community Service. In addition, Wake and UNC Hospitals recognized Wally's talents as an educator and his clinical teaching expertise by awarding him the C. Richard Morris Faculty Teaching Award and the Walter Tunnessen Faculty Clinician Award on multiple occasions throughout his tenure.

Wally's life was not confined to medicine. He loved spending time with his family and close crew of friends, cherishing their camping trips that spanned over 50 years. Golf was another passion, offering a blend of physical activity and intellectual challenge. Early morning tee times fostered friendships with fellow early risers who shared his love for the game.

A brain cancer diagnosis in 2019 slowed but in no way stopped Wally's charge through life. Upon being wheeled into surgery to excise his recently discovered brain tumor, Wally asked his surgeon if he could keep the tumor after it was removed. When the doctor hesitated, Wally's reply was, "Why not? It's mine; I grew it." It is this wit and love of his craft that enabled him to so skillfully help the rest of his family and friends come to terms with this diagnosis. Ever the healer, he focused on making sure his loved ones understood this disease and its effects from the clinical side, seamlessly navigating between healer and patient. Even while staring down this disease in the face, he managed to remain steadfast in his care of those around him, breaking bell curves all along the way.

Dr. Wallace David Brown, a loving husband, father, physician, and champion for children's health will be deeply missed. He considered his greatest accomplishment to be his family and his greatest joy was being surrounded by them. He is survived by his wife of 58 years (Paulette) and their children: Tim Brown (Amanda), Kate Hardison (Will), Matt Brown (Rachel), and Meg Emrich (Sam), and his beloved grandchildren: Abbi Brown; Ellen, Beau, and Wallace Hardison; Pule, Bella, and Eli Brown; and Polly and Sam Emrich. He is also survived by his beloved sisters Susan Brown, Celia Brown Zajchowski, and brother Foster Brown. A special thank you to Marvette Camp, Celony Laurent, Jr., and Wanda Simpson for their tender and professional care of Wally and his family over the past 4 years.

A celebration of Wally's life will be held at Pullen Memorial Baptist Church on Friday, August 9, at 3:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Children's Services at the WakeMed Foundation or UNC Children's through the UNC Foundation.