Nebraska Ornithologists' Union
Date of this Version
6-2004
Citation
Ratzlaff, "In Memory of George W. Brown," from Nebraska Bird Review (June 2004) 72(2).
Abstract
NOU member, supporter and friend George Brown passed away on February 9, 2002, at the age of 80 following a 10 year battle with leukemia.
His many contributions to this organization include service as President on two occasions, 1974-5 and 1992-4. Some of us remember smaller but equally memorable contributions, including the flower arrangements, gifts from George's garden, that appeared on the tables at our Halsey Fall Field Days; his wonderful stories and good humor; his personal thriftiness which he applied with equal vigor to the NOV budget; and his love of only the most brief and concise presentations. The latter was not lost on George's pastor, whose comments at his memorial service included: "There is another visual that I guess I missed... when the preacher was preaching too long, his arm and his wristwatch went higher and higher."
George was born on September 24, 1921. He spent his youth in Minden and graduated from Minden High School in 1939. He began college, but World War II intervened and George entered the United States Army Air Force, serving as a C47 cargo plane pilot in Africa and India. Following the war he returned to Kearney State College where he received his degree.
The delightful George and Marian team so evident at many NOU meetings was formed on June 1, 1947, when he and Marian Wardrop were married. To this union four children were born: Gary, Randy, Linda and Laurie. He is also survived by 10 grandchildren and a great-granddaughter.
Comments
Copyright 2004, Nebraska Ornithologists' Union. Used by permission.