Bob Brown Passes Away

Robert Arthur Brown (Bob) passed away on May 20, in Wilmington. He was 89.

He is survived by three daughters; Pat Brown, Janet Barry, and Lynn Foresteire; their husbands Tom Davidson and Jim Foresteire; and four grandchildren; Tanya Barry, Tim Barry, Emily Davidson, and Laura Davidson. He was predeceased by his wife Charlotte Brown (Moore) and his sister Mollie Babcock.

Bob was born on September 7, 1928 in Boonville New York to Graham and Lillian Brown. He was valedictorian at his high school and entered MIT at the age of 16, graduating in 1948 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. He later earned an advanced degree from Drexel. Bob also took R.O.T.C. during college and was commissioned a second Lieutenant upon graduation.

After graduation he accepted a position with the Aviation Gas Turbine division of Westinghouse in Philadelphia. After 2 ½ years with Westinghouse, he was called to active duty with the US Army and was sent to Korea in the spring of 1952. He was discharged from the Army with honors. Upon his return, he resumed work at Westinghouse for a year and then accepted a position with General Electric where he remained for the rest of his career. While in Philadelphia, Bob joined the Christian Science Monitor Youth Forum, where he met his future wife.

Bob and Charlotte were married in 1954, settling first in Brooklyn and then in Reading where they lived for many years. He was a devoted father to his three daughters, who share many memories of sledding, walks in the Town Forest, canoeing, chess, square dancing, and making pop-corn in the fireplace. Family vacations involved trips to various parts of the country in a travel trailer. The family first became interested in rock hunting while on a trip to Vermont. Subsequent trips involved many rock hunting adventures, including collecting geodes in Keokuk, Iowa, amethyst at Thunder Bay, Ontario, and agates in Nova Scotia. Bob retired from GE in 1991, after 36 years.

Having been a Reading Town Meeting Member for many years, Bob became active during retirement in numerous civic activities, including the Solid Waste Advisory committee, of which he became chairman. In 1999, a grant was received, and a program started for the collection of used fluorescent bulbs. He was always friendly and wherever he went someone was sure to call out “Hi Bob.” Whether it was hiking in the White Mountains or doing errands around town, he would always run into a fellow engineer or Reading resident to talk and reminisce with.

Throughout his life, Bob worked hard, was devoted to education, and celebrated the lives of his family and grandchildren. A Memorial Service of Celebration will be held on July 7, 11 a.m., at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 239 Woburn St, Reading, MA. 01867, followed by a lunch reception. All are invited to attend. (In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name to the Reading Public Library http://www.readingpl.org/get-involved/gifts/).