Dr. George W Brown

11/21/1937 – 12/14/2016

George W. Brown, M.D., FAAP was born November 21, 1937 in North Carolina a few minutes before his twin brother John. Three hours earlier, his wife Carolyn had been born in Texas.

Dr. Brown graduated from North Carolina State University (honors) with a degree in mechanical engineering. He received a Reynolds Scholarship to attend Bowman Gray School of Medicine and graduated in 1964. He and Carolyn met in the cadaver lab their first year. Four years later they married just three days before receiving their MD degrees. Soon after arriving in Alaska in 1965, Dr. Brown was assigned to treat one of the last Mumps epidemics in the U.S. on St. George Island, Alaska. From 1968-1970 Dr. Brown completed his pediatric residency at the Children's Hospital in Honolulu.

In 1970, Dr. Brown returned to Alaska and continued his work with Alaska Native children as the Medical Director of the Alaska Child Development Center (1970-1975). In 1971 Dr. Brown became one of Alaska's first Board Certified Pediatricians. In 1978, together with his wife Dr. Carolyn, George established a non-profit medical clinic in Palmer. Dr. Brown was the first (and for many years the only) pediatrician to practice in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough. Dr. Brown worked with the Alaska Legislature to develop the Alaska Children’s Trust Fund. In 1986 Dr. Brown received the first C. Henry Kemp International Award for his work in prevention of child abuse and neglect in recognition of his many and ongoing efforts to promote child development.

Dr. Brown also loved running and completed over 70 marathons and countless shorter races in his life. He infused his love of running into every well child visit through regular reminders to kids to get exercise. In addition, he founded and directed the Valley Youth Marathon. From 1989 through 2001 George and Carolyn lived in Burlington, Vermont where George practiced pediatrics and served as adjunct faculty at the University of Vermont Medical School. In 2001, George and Carolyn returned to Alaska to work in Juneau. From 2004 through 2006 George and Carolyn practiced in western Kenya where they directed health programs for children and adults living with HIV/AIDS.

George died on December 14, 2016 of a massive heart attack. George leaves his wife Carolyn, daughter Rachel, son Benjamin, grand-daughter Eleanor, brother John, sister Laura as well as countless patients, friends, colleagues and admirers.

A celebration of life by the Juneau community was held on 14 January 2017 and can be viewed here: https://livestream.com/nluchurchjuneau/events/6877401 In lieu of flowers, donations c an be made to the George W. Brown Memorial Scholarship for a graduating senior from a Matanuska-Susitna high school who seeks a degree in Early Childhood Education. Donations can be sent to the Mat-Su Schools Foundation, PO Box 873413, Wasilla, AK 99687-3413.

A celebration of Dr. Brown’s life will be held on Saturday 24 June 2017 at 2 pm at the United Protestant Church, 713 S. Denali, in Palmer.