IN MEMORIAM

Donald E. Brown, 84; Served

Hartwick College For 32 Years

ONEONTA – Donald Everett Brown, 84, who served on Hartwick College’s management team for 32 years, receiving the President’s Award for Meritorious Service in 2008, died April 30, 2018, at Villa Crest Nursing Home, Goffstown, N.H..

He was born in East Orange, N.J., on Nov. 15,1933, the son of Everett Hilton Brown and Marion Maxfield Brown. He attended grade school in New Jersey and graduated from the Henry B. Whitehorn Hight School in Verona.

Following graduation, he worked briefly for AAA and the Pass Easter Egg Co. He served in the Army from 1953 to 1956, stationed in Germany. There he met many friends, including Mel Davis of Sebastopol, Calif., who became a life-long friend.

In January 1957, he was enrolled in Hartwick College and graduated in 1960. He received his M.S. from SUNY Albany in 1962.

It was at Hartwick College that he met his wife of 57 years and greatest life companion, Diane Green, a fellow graduate. While at Hartwick he was a member of Alpha Sigma Phi fraternity and president of Student Senate.

For two years he taught high school in Mechanicville, and Shaker High School in Colonie.
In 1962 he was invited to return to his alma mater as the alumni secretary. He then ended up serving his beloved Hartwick until 1994 – he was named director of placement in 1963, director of public relations and alumni affairs in 1965, director of public relations in 1967, assistant vice president for college relations in 1970, assistant vice president for college relations and director of government relations in 1975, vice president for development in 1978 and dean of student services in 1989.  In 1994 he retired.

He was the recipient of many awards over the years, including the Meritorious Service Award for the Alumni Association, and he and his wife each received the Presidents Medal for Extraordinary Service to Hartwick College at Commencement in 2008.

In Oneonta, he served as president of Kiwanis Club in 1969, was a member of Mechanic Exchange Bank board and on the Board of Directors of the Catskill Symphony Orchestra. He also was an elder in the Presbyterian Church in Oneonta.

Don is survived by his ever-loving wife, Diane Green Brown; and his two adoring children, Jeffrey Brown and wife Janet of Chester, N. H., and Kristin Broe and husband John of Ballston Spa. He leaves three grandchildren who he just loved, Kelsey Broe of Arlington, Virgina, Ryan Broe and Jack Broe of Ballston Spa. He is also survived by his sister, Suzanne Libero of Fort Meyers, Florida and three nieces.

Upon retirement he and his wife moved to Goffstown to spend many wonderful days exploring New England and volunteering at his church, the First Congregational Church of Manchester, and at the airport information desk.

They spent every spring and fall traveling over the U.S. and Europe. Don so loved his family and spending time with each one. He had an amazing sense of humor and was the only one to ever be roasted by his Alma Mater. He was truly the head of our family. We will miss his presence in our lives.
A Celebration of His Life will be held at the First Congregational Church of Manchester at a later date.
Burial will be at the convenience of the family in Chester.

Our sincere thanks to the entire staff of Villa Crest for many years of loving care. Also, our thanks to the VNA Hospice for their help and care.

Please consider a donation to Hartwick College, P.O. 4020 Oneonta, N.Y. 13820, Att: Patricia Dopazo, Director of Planned Giving.

Arrangements by Goodwin Funeral Home in Manchester, N. H.