Dr. William Edwin Brown

Dr. William Edwin Brown, PhD Age: 77 years A resident of Vienna, Illinois. Passed away Thursday morning, December 29, 2011, at his home. Ed, as he was affectionately known by family and many friends, was born January 11, 1934 in Belknap, Illinois. He was the son of Samuel E. Brown and Sarah Elizabeth (Kean) Brown. Survivors include: 2 Sisters - Helen Stoltz, and her husband Ronald, of Sun City, Arizona Betty Ball, and her husband Bill, of Las Vegas, Nevada A Brother – Glenn Brown, and his wife JoAnn, of Belknap, Illinois Nieces and Nephews Ed was a U.S. Army veteran. He earned his B.S. degree from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, graduating in 1956. He also attended the University of Tennessee at Knoxville and earned his M.S. degree in 1957. Dr. Brown received his PhD from Ohio State University at Columbus in 1964. He began his educational career as a graduate instructor at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale in 1955, and continued as an instructor in Engineering Graphics at the University of Tennessee. From 1957-1965, Ed served as the Assistant professor in the Engineering Graphics Department at Ohio State University, where he then served as Assistant Dean of the College of Engineering from 1965-1967. Dr. Brown served as professor and chair of the Department of Engineering at Trenton State College in Trenton, New Jersey from 1967-1976. Dr. Brown then moved to California where he lived and worked for several years prior to his return to Southern Illinois. During his career in California, Dr. Brown served as a Regional Director for the Public Employment Relations Board, a Seminar Director for Dial One of Northern California, a part-time state member in the Mechanical Engineering Department of California State University at Sacramento, and was the principal owner of Bear Tavern Associates a general contracting and home inspection company based in Sacramento. Since his return to Southern Illinois in 1993, Dr. Brown has served as a part-time instructor for Shawnee Community College. Highlights of Dr. Brown’s professional career include the development of curriculum and obtaining approval for a four year baccalaureate program leading to a B.S. Degree in Mechanical, Electrical, and Industrial Engineering Technology at Trenton State College. He was appointed by the chancellor of Higher Education to serve on the State of New Jersey Advisory Board on Technical Education and the State Engineer Technology Master Planning Committee, serving consecutively from 1969-1976. Dr. Brown was a member of the National Education Association, the American Industrial Arts Association and the American Council on Industrial Arts Teacher Education. He was also a member of the American Association of University Professors, Phi Delta Kappa, Epsilon Ti Tau, Iota Lambda Sigma, and served for 8 years as an advisor for Phi Alpha Delta, receiving the “Outstanding Teaching Award” from the Trenton State College chapter of that fraternity in 1976. Dr. Brown has been listed in numerous “Who’s Who” directories including “Who’s Who in California,” “Who’s Who in Contributions in Education,” and “Who’s Who Leaders in International Education.” Dr. Brown was also an author and speaker. He penned numerous publications regarding industrial arts, home inspection, and small business growth and development. Dr. Brown was a faithful member of the Vienna First United Methodist Church, where he participated in the church choir. In his spare time, Dr. Brown was an avid gardener and enjoyed landscaping his lawn. He enjoyed traveling and shopping. Dr. Brown was a devoted student of American History and a voracious reader. Funeral services will be held Tuesday morning, January 3, 2012, at 11 AM at Bailey Funeral Home in Vienna. Pastor Don Meeks will officiate. Burial will be in the West Eden Cemetery, near Cypress. Visitation will be from 4 PM – 7 PM Monday, January 2, 2012, at Bailey Funeral Home in Vienna. Memorials may be made to the Vienna First United Methodist Church, PO Box 1349, Vienna, Illinois 62995 or to the American Heart Association, 2524 Farragut Drive, Suite A, Springfield, IL 629704. Or, you may donate online at www.americanheart.org

Dr. William Edwin Brown

January 11, 1934 - December 29, 2011