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Dr. Paul Brown

A light has gone out of the world. Our father, Paul F. Brown MD, passed away on Thursday, October 24, 2024, at age 101. Known for his high ideals, humility, intelligence and personal warmth, Dad’s life was one of service, family and faith, all of which were richly practiced, richly lived. He believed that God is a God of love.

Dad was born to John Franklin Brown and Clara Estelle Brown (Thorpe) in the front bedroom of their home on May 3, 1923, in East Saint Louis, Illinois. Growing up, much of his family life centered around their Methodist Church. Throughout his schooling, Dad was an excellent student and musician like his sister Ruth and brother Jim. Later in life he mused that had he not attended medical school he probably would have gone into string performance with his violin. After graduating from high school at age 16, Dad attended night school at Washington University and worked in a bank. Having received a Rector Scholarship at DePauw University, he started his freshman year in September of 1941. Three months later Pearl Harbor was attacked, and after taking his MCATs at the end of freshman year, Dad enlisted in the Navy as an apprentice seaman. He was able to start medical school under the B-12 program in January of 1943. As graduation from DePauw approached, Dad waited for deployment orders, most likely as part of the invasion of Japan. When the atomic bombs were dropped, plans changed, thankfully. Dad graduated from Washington University School of Medicine in Saint Louis, MO.

On December 21, 1946, Dad married his teenage sweetheart, Doris Ann Phillips. Dad always said that from the moment he saw Mom during that church trip to the Billy Graham concert, he knew she was the one for him and, for the next 65 years, she was. Shortly thereafter, he was honorably discharged from the Navy but remained in the Navy reserves. Residency began in 1947 in Fresno, California, where Dad focused on pediatrics, chest surgery and tuberculosis treatment. By this time, two children had been added to the family (George and Ann). Wanting a life devoted to service, Dad was commissioned by the Methodist Episcopal Church for medical missionary work as the head of the only Methodist Hospital in South America, Clinica Americana, located outside of La Paz in Obrahes, Bolivia. Without speaking any Spanish, Dad and Mom left for La Paz in January of 1950 with their two children in tow. That first week Dad had to give a speech in Spanish, which was an interesting challenge. As head of the hospital, which was located at 13,000 feet above sea level, and as the only physician, he started out every morning doing surgery, followed by delivering babies and triaging every other medical need that came into the hospital. This included gunshot wounds to the staff as they tried to obtain medical supplies from La Paz during the 10-12 coupe attempts and having to run the gauntlet of rebels shooting at anything that moved. Mom was always there to guide, love and comfort Dad and the children, even in the most trying of times.

After three years, and two more children (Janet and James), it was time to leave Bolivia. The plan was to go to the Marshall Islands as medical missionaries, however, the atomic bomb testing at Bikini Atoll changed the course of their lives and a new direction was taken. In January of 1953, Dad joined the Army to continue his medical service. As a Captain, Dad was sent to Fort Sill, Oklahoma, where he practiced as head of dermatology, ran an outpatient clinic, and was head of a medical ward. During this time, one additional child appeared (Paula). A chance meeting in a training exercise line, standing alphabetically — Jack Broman/Paul Brown — brought Dad and his future partner together. That partnership resulted in a lifelong Family Practice (50+ years) in Maquoketa, Iowa. A total of 15 children between the two families kept the Maquoketa school system populated. Children six and seven, (Carol and Phil), were born in Maquoketa. Mom and Dad had few dull moments.

Dad was proud of his medical career and was especially proud of the fact that he was an original Board Certified member of the American Board of Family Practice. Beloved by his patients for his diagnostic thoroughness, empathy and warmth, he took the time needed with each patient and took care of literally generations of families. Despite many 80-hour work weeks Dad always kept his family and faith as a priority. He was a 60+ year Rotarian, active in the community and especially active in their church.

Until the age of 76, Dad actively practiced medicine. Upon formal retirement in 2006, Dad and Mom moved to a townhome in Fort Dodge, Iowa, and then to independent living at Friendship Haven where they were welcomed with open arms. Mom passed away in February of 2012 after 65 years of marriage. At Friendship Haven, Dad’s manners, gentleness, engagement and inclusiveness endeared him to many. He is survived by six of his seven children, Ann Turner (Tom), Janet Pittner (Kurt), James Brown (Patti), Paula McNabb (Mike), Carol Hauser (Tony), Phil Brown (Meg), 23 grandchildren and 33 great-grandchildren (and counting). Dad was preceded in death by his son George Brown (Carol), parents, sister and brother.

A celebration of Paul’s life will be held Saturday, November 2, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. at the Tompkins Celebration Center at Friendship Haven. At a later date, Dad will be laid to rest beside his loving wife at Hope Cemetery in Maquoketa, Iowa. Arrangements have been entrusted to Gunderson Funeral Home & Cremation Services.