Preston Brown Our dear beloved Father, Preston Brown, passed away peacefully on Friday March 22, 2013, at the VA. Hospital in Bay Pines Florida. Dad was the last remaining child of the Wilbur Herrick Brown, and Florence Goulding Brown family. Preceeding his departure, were his siblings: Kenneth H. Brown, Phyllis Brookfield, Gordon Brown, Carolyn Berchtold, Barbara H. MacLeod. Born in Sharon Mass, on Sept. 22, 1918, he lived 94.5 years to-the-day. Growing up in New England he had a remarkable life, as part of the Greatest Generation of our country. Enduring the Great Depression, and World War 11 did his part and had to grow up fast. He graduated from Bowdoin College in Maine with a 2 year degree, after which he joined the Army Air Corps in Sept 1939 at age 21 to become a pilot. He went on to get his BA. and Masters Degrees from Ohio State University. Serving gallantly in the War, flying in the Burma-China Area of the Pacific Theatre, flying C-47 cargo planes over the Himalayas, know as flying the Hump, he said it was treacherous duty, and sometimes only knew he was on the right path, when he saw the crumpled aluminum planes that had not made it before him. Dad served 23 years in the USAF, and reached the high rank of Full Colonel at the age of 35 yrs and 8 months, one of the youngest ever; retiring in 1962 at age 44. He married Mildred Bull in June 1942 and had 2 children: Deborah Herrick Hess, and Philip M. Brown II. He had 5 Grandcllildren: Nicole K. Hess, Philip M. Brown Ill, David Preston Brown, Jennifer D. Brown, Justin G. Brown. Also he had 4 Great Grandchildren: Caleb, Jacob, Connor; Logan Brown. Dad lived a remarkable life, traveling the world to live in Europe in he 1950's with his children. He enjoyed playing Bridge, Scrabble, fishing for trout in the Mackenzie River in Oregon, Golf , and his love of nature and people. Dad was the Textbook dad, with impeccable integrity and self discipline softened by his kind and gentle sensitive side. He never complained about troubles in life, rather always said to keep your chin up was his motto. In many ways he lived a charmed life, though losing his first love, Millie at a young age of 57 was the most difficult. He went on though to marry again and find joy in life with his family and friends until age 94.5, in generally good physical health. We will miss you dad, and know we will be with you again soon forever. Thank you for guiding us and sharing with us all in your adventures and being there for us when we needed you the most. Old soldiers never die, they just fade away......... Family will say goodbye to him on April 12 and he will be laid to rest with his family at the Rock Ridge Cemetery, in Sharon Mass.
Published by The Sharon Advocate from Mar. 28 to Apr. 4, 2013.