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Dave Brown – I wish I had gotten to know him sooner!

Dave Brown – I wish I had gotten to know him sooner!

I was among those shocked by the report that County Board member Dave Brown collapsed and died while clearing his driveway in our town of Fulton last Tuesday. I shared the sense of loss with the same WISH that I had gotten to know DAVE BROWN sooner as expressed by Rock Co. Board Vice-chair Sandy Kraft quoted in Ann Marie Ames article, “Rock County official dies clearing snow” (Published on p. 10A, Janesville Gazette, Wednesday, March 6, 2013).

My wife, Marilyn and I prized getting acquainted with Dave Brown a few years ago as we were involved with DAVE and other town citizens to reform the town of Fulton government. DAVE served WE THE PEOPLE of the town of FULTON well from 2008-2012. We are GRATEFUL for the ways that DAVE influenced transparency and reform in our town of Fulton government.

DAVE chose to serve WE THE PEOPLE of ROCK COUNTY as a representative of District 9 and was elected by us a year ago. Again, DAVE was very conscientious and committed in his service. He brought significant background and expertise from working for the UW-Madison’s Chancellor’s office of our UW system for 27 years. He retired in 1994.

Reflecting on DAVE’s service on our Rock County Board, Sandy Kraft stated, “He cared so much about the people of Fulton and the people he represented. He was exuberant about being a supervisor.”

In retirement, DAVE expanded his involvements with many interests, including, persuasive advocacy of the “GREEN” movement. He shared his knowledge and enthusiasm consulting on “the green environment” through a workshop for the Society for Learning Unlimited at Beloit College and other groups. His persuasion was enhanced by his frequent invitations to visit his GREEN home. Yes, DAVE walked the talk!

If you want to learn more about DAVE BROWN’s life, you can use this link to the current obituaries posted by Schneider Funeral Home and click link for DAVE BROWN's obituary, on the "Current Memorials" webpage.

Visitation will be Monday, March 11 from 4 until 7 pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 am on Tuesday, March 12 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Janesville.

Dave Brown’s family has suggested that memorials can be made to one of DAVE’s significant projects. You can use this link to learn more about this project which DAVE had with HOWARD GAGE, “Journeys in Faith Ministries.” DAVE and HOWARD graduated from Janesville High School together in 1955. They had a very special friendship which intertwined their lives through joy and through sorrow.

There are many, many people who are mourning DAVE’s death. We are giving THANKS TO GOD for DAVE’s life. We PRAY God’s blessings and comfort for DAVE’s family and friends. We KNOW that memories of DAVE’s life will encourage many to WALK the TALK as he did. God help us with that WALK!

I really and truly wish I had gotten to know DAVE sooner! GRATEFUL for the years that I did get to know, Dave! How about YOU? Did YOU know Dave? If so, I hope you will share YOUR comment.

Here we go…

Mr. E.

John Eyster lives in the Edgerton area. He is an adjunct professor of political science at UW-Waukesha and an advocate for democracy/civics education in Wisconsin high schools. John is a community blogger and is not a part of The Gazette staff. His opinion is not necessarily that of the The Gazette staff or management.