Obituary of Jeffrey W. Brown

Jeff died on February 27 after a brief illness.

Jeff was born on May 10, 1955 in Benton Harbor, Michigan to Robert and Margaret Brown. He grew up in St. Joseph, Michigan and developed a life-long love for the sand dunes, Great Lakes, forests, birds, and wildflowers. 

A lifelong learner, Jeff graduated from  Michigan State. He received an M.A. in Early Childhood Education from San Francisco State University, an M.A. in Special Education from UMD, and a Juris Doctor degree from Hamline Law School. He used his education and his passion to fight for people and places that needed protection! Jeff was an Early Childhood educator in Oakland, CA; Minneapolis; and Duluth; a special education and substitute teacher in Duluth, an adjunct staff at the Mitchell Hamline School of Law, and an attorney in private practice. Jeff was the founder of Minnesotans for Responsible Recreation. He was active with the Save Lake Superior Association and a bicycle advocate with the Metropolitan Interstate Council.  He volunteered with the Volunteer Attorney Program and the MN Court of Appeals Self-Help Clinic.  There is a cookie named after Jeff at Positively Third Street Bakery!

Jeff was a loving and devoted father to his children, Talia and Eli Beech Brown. He shared  his love of nature, music, reading, and bicycling. He encouraged them to follow their passion for adventure, education, and for making the world a better place. 

Jeff is survived by his children, their mother Patty Beech-Dziuk (Thad), to whom he was a dedicated friend, and his loving life-partner, Laura D’Andrea. He also leaves behind his sister Susan Collier (Eldon), his brother Robert, Jr. (Janice), and two nieces, Jennifer Myers and Kelly Brown Reid and their families. He is survived by his best friends Andrea Benson and Scott McLaughlin, and their daughters Sophia and Isabel. He was preceded in death by his parents and his niece, Tracy Lindsley.

A Memorial Service will be held on Sunday, March 22, at the Lafayette Community Center. Visitation with the family will begin at 1:00, with a service at 2:00. A meal and reception will follow.

If desired, memorials can be made to Sarett Nature Center, Benton Harbor, or to the family to assist with unexpected expenses.

Arrangements by Cremation Society of Minnesota.