Charles S. Brown

Dr. Charles S. Brown, formally of Waukegan, IL, died peacefully in Williamsburg, VA, on December 9 at age 97. Dr. Brown, a native Virginian, is survived by three children: Mrs. Keith B. Dubois (Chuck) of Williamsburg, VA; Mr. Charles S. Brown, Jr. (Renee) of Pittsboro, NC; and Mr. Robert Allen Brown (Susie) of Germantown Hills, IL; as well as seven grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. He was pre-deceased by his wife of 63 years, Millicent P. Brown. He was born in Orange County, VA, and grew up in Richmond graduating in the Class of 1937 from Thomas Jefferson High School. He was a member of Virginia Tech’s class of 1941 earning a BS degree in chemical engineering and election to Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honorary Society and as President of the Corp of Cadets.

In 1946 he earned a PhD degree in chemical engineering from the University of Wisconsin with ground breaking research work in the commercialization of penicillin supporting the war effort. Prior to completing his graduate degree in 1946, he was hired by Abbott Laboratories of North Chicago, IL, in 1944. His 37 year Abbott career was marked by promotions to positions of increasing responsibility through the Company’s management to the senior executive level. He retired from the Company in 1981 as Executive Vice President, Administration.

Beyond his successful Abbott career Chuck (aka “Charlie”) was very active in leadership positions on numerous community boards at the local, state and national level including: the Administrative Board of First United Methodist Church of Waukegan; the United Way of Lake County; the Civic Affairs Committee and member of the board of the Illinois Chamber of Commerce; a member of the Citizens Committee of the University of Illinois; a member of the Bradley University Associate Board of Trustees; and a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

Charlie was an Eagle Scout and lived his life guided by the Scout Oath and Law. He actively supported the Scouting movement as an adult serving as the Vice President of the Northeast Illinois Council of the Boy Scouts of America. In 1976 he received the Silver Beaver Award for distinguished service to youth and subsequently the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award established in 1969.

Above all of his professional and community accomplishments, Charlie was known by his friends and colleagues as an unselfish gentleman who was a gentle man, living his life with unwavering integrity and always asking others if there was anything he could do for them.

A memorial service is planned for Saturday, January, 13, 2018 at 2:00 P.M. at the Williamsburg United Methodist Church. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made in Charlie’s memory to Northeast Illinois Council Boy Scouts of America, 2745 Skokie Valley Road, Highland Park, IL 60035-1042 or Williamsburg Landing Benevolence Fund 5700 Williamsburg Landing Drive Williamsburg, VA 23185-3779. Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.nelsenwilliamsburg.com.