Keirn Brown

Brown Brown, Keirn Clarke A retired diplomat, Keirn Brown died June 8 in Ft. Lauderdale at the age of 94. Born in Newfane, NY on December 24, 1917 to Ivan and Agnes Clarke Brown, Keirn and his brother were the sixth generation of Browns in the township. Keirn was president of the Newfane High School class of 1935 and a standout athlete, active in both the United Methodist Church and the town band. He attended the University of Rochester, where he majored in economics, was a member of Theta Delta Chi, and played trumpet in a dance band. Graduating in 1939, he was an insurance investigator in Rochester until his National Guard unit was called up in 1940. During World War II, he participated in every major European campaign, winning a battlefield commission and a Bronze Star medal. After the war, Brown was with the Atomic Energy Commission before entering the Foreign Service in 1951. He spent more than a quarter century serving at posts around the world. As a senior executive at the State Department, he led the Diplomatic Security Service from 1963-68. After the Foreign Service, Brown directed the bi-national center in Isfahan, Iran for two years before retiring to Clearwater, FL. In 2001, they relocated to Boca Raton to be closer to his growing family. Keirn enjoyed boating, golfing and tennis as well as travelling widely in the U.S. and Europe. He was a master bridge player and an accomplished musician, leading a weekly singing group and composing songs. Keirn loved spending time with his family, good friends and cheering on the Heat. In 2007, Keirn was predeceased by his wife of 65 years, Jane Schuhl Brown. He is survived by his two sons, Keirn Brown, Jr. of Burke, VA and Colin Brown of Lighthouse Point, six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.