The following was sent to us with the notification of Sam's death.
Samuel C Brown, Jr., a resident of Saratoga Springs, passed away after a lifetime with two chronic illnesses.
Mr. Brown, as he preferred to be called, was born in Boston in 1943. He graduated with honors from Williams College and earned an M.A.T. degree from Smith College.
Health problems caused him to be disenrolled from U.S. Navy Officer Candidate School, and to turn from teaching to his hobbies from childhood, writing and cartooning. Thereafter he worked at home, keeping house and raising his son while his wife, Isabel, pursued a teaching career as a member of the dance faculty of Skidmore College.
Mr. Brown served for seven years as local liaison for the PBS Channel 17 Auction, nine years as a member of the city’s Zoning Board of Appeals, and three years as a leader of the boys’ Urban 4-H Program. He also spent 18 years as a route driver for Home Delivered Meals, 20 years on the Board of Directors of Pine Island Camp (a boys’ camp in Maine), and 10 years as class cartoonist for his college class.
He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Isabel Harper Brown, of Saratoga Springs; his son, Eugene S. Brown, of Redondo Beach, CA; his brother, Andrew P. Brown, of Palm Springs, FL; his sister, Susan W. Brown, of Rowley, MA; one nephew, two nieces, two great nieces, and six great nephews.
Memorial gifts may be made to Mr. Brown’s favorite charity, Covenant House, a refuge for homeless and abused children: P.O. Box 731, New York, NY 10108.
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Leo Murray
Sam and I remained close friends ever since we first met at Williams. When I learned that Sam would be part of the 1965 Williams – in – Hong Kong team, I was especially happy since we could spend an entire summer together. Over the years, Elaine and I regularly visited Upstate New York ….. where I grew up. On those occasions, we always made it a point to get together with Sam and Baya. Best known to classmates for his cartoons, it was Sam’s writing that I found so special. I have saved every letter that Sam ever wrote to me. A truly exceptional friend who’ll be very much missed.
Peter Buttenheim
September 24, 2021
Dear 1964 Ephs:
It was sad news indeed to read of Sam Brown's death this morning. Frances and I send our deep and sincere condolences to Baya and the entire Brown Family.
As Leo put it so well already, Sam was a consummate friend, an extraordinary cartoonist, and an excellent writer. Conversations with Sam during college were mind-expanding to be sure.
Since graduation, Sam and Baya have stayed in touch with many of us via holiday letters, cartoons, and trips to Williams -- whenever possible. Sam's "GIving Back"as a volunteer in the Saratoga Springs, NY area is already legend. And, anyone who ever saw Sam's cartoons knows that he had an abundance of knowledge, wit and humor whether it was all aimed at the World Situation or The Class of 1964.
A bonus for me at Williams was the fact that I was able to pursue my love of Latin in classes with Professor John Harper who was Baya's father! That is the reason why Baya was really an Eph from birth....
We have lost another remarkable classmate!
Peter Buttenheim
John McWhorter
I roomed with Sam both my freshman and sophomore year. Junior year Sam took off to be a ski bum at Vail but my senior year, Sams junior,we drove out nonstop for two weeks of glorious skiing at Vail and Aspen. After Williams Peter Sheehan and I would periodically be in touch with Sam and Baya. Because of his medical problems he led the unconventional life of a house husband but was always involved with both Williams and community. He was a real gentleman in the true sense of the word. He will be sorely missed.