KU community mourns death of Professor Emeritus Robert Brown

LAWRENCE — Robert Brown, a professor emeritus of mathematics at the University of Kansas and longtime Lawrence resident, died July 23. He was 82.

“Professor Brown spent his entire career at KU placing a special focus on his teaching efforts for more than four decades. We are saddened to learn of his death, and I extend my deepest condolences to his family, friends, students and colleagues on behalf of the entire university community,” said Chancellor Bernadette Gray-Little.

Brown taught at KU from 1963 until his retirement in 2009. His teaching awards included the math department's Graduate Student Association Teaching Award (in 1972, 1978, 1987 and 1994), the Mortar Board Distinguished Educator Award (1982), the Center for Teaching Excellence Award (2004), the Max Wells Teaching Award (2005) and the universitywide Chancellor's Club Career Teaching Award (2000).

Brown served as associate chair of the department for 22 years. He was a very valuable member of the Department of Mathematics throughout his career, said Professor Dan Katz, chair of the mathematics department.

“During that time his hard work on behalf of the department, and the grace with which he served in that position, were an inspiration to many colleagues, especially those like myself who joined the department during those years,” Katz said.

The family suggests memorial contributions to Meals on Wheels, which can be sent via Warren-McElwain Mortuary, or contributions toward the R.D. Brown Award for Undergraduate Excellence in Mathematics at KU, via KU Endowment.