Warren J. Brown, MD

Dr. Warren J. Brown, M.D., departed this world on September 29, 2023, leaving behind an indelible legacy as a true "American Renaissance Man." With an irresistible charisma that charmed all fortunate enough to cross his path, Warren, fondly known as "Doc Brown," lived a life that encapsulated the richness of many lifetimes within his remarkable 99 years.

Born on July 17, 1924, in the heart of Brooklyn, New York, Warren discovered his passion for writing early in life, establishing his own neighborhood newsletter, aptly named "The Ink Spot." His family later relocated to the ancestral farm in Pottstown, Pennsylvania, where he continued to shine, excelling in football, becoming the captain of the track team, and even showcasing his musical talents as a trombonist for the high school band.

A decision to enroll at Ursinus College in Collegeville, Pennsylvania, was overshadowed by a higher calling. In 1943, Warren was drafted, and he chose to join the U.S. Navy. After being sent to Sampson, NY, for naval boot camp, he attended Hospital Corps School in Bainbridge, MD. He graduated with honors and eventually earned entry into the Navy's V-12 College Training Program. While there, he got the opportunity to embark on a journey that would profoundly shape his life. He was initially sent to the V-12's Bethany College Naval Training Unit in West Virginia for pre-med training. He finished his undergraduate education, earning a B.S. in Biology-Chemistry. Afterward, he briefly spent time at the Bethesda Naval Hospital as a corpsman before moving on to the Naval Training Unit at Ohio State University, where he achieved his Doctor of Medicine degree in 1949. Warren's commitment to service was paralleled by his personal life; in 1947, he married Helen Turash, and together they welcomed three children into their lives: Jimmy, Bobby, and Susie.

Warren's naval career was marked by extraordinary feats, including serving as a ship's physician aboard three troopships during the Korean War—the USS Heintzleman, USS Eltinge, and USS Gibbons. His medical prowess was evident as he performed two appendectomies at sea and executed a trephine operation in Thule, Greenland, saving a worker's life injured by a crane 800 miles south of the North Pole. After a stint of Sea Duty at USN Station Key West as a submarine squadron medical officer, he made the difficult decision to resign from the U.S. Navy in 1953.

The beginning of Warren's 51-year medical career took him and his young family to Largo, Florida, where he established a thriving family practice, complete with house calls, and became a vital member of the Morton Plant Hospital staff in Clearwater. His dedication was duly recognized when he was appointed Chief of the Family Practice Section at the hospital. Even after retirement in 2004, Warren maintained his medical license until he was 98 years old.

Warren's life was a tapestry of passions, with aviation being a prominent thread. His love for flight was ignited in childhood, inspired by "The Red Knight of Germany," a book about the Red Baron, World War I's legendary ace flyer. He was appointed a flight surgeon for the FAA and took flying lessons in Largo, eventually acquiring his own Cessna 150-E, accumulating an impressive 2,270 flying hours. In 1966, he embarked on a cross-country odyssey from Clearwater Airport to Fullerton, California, each leg accompanied by one of his two eldest sons. In 1970, he married his second wife, Greet Roos, a Dutch woman, expanding his family with two more children, Eric and Annemarie.

Warren's lifelong passion for aviation and writing culminated in his pivotal role as a founding member of the Florida Aviation History Society (FAHS). He assumed the role of editor for the society's monthly newsletter, "Happy Landings," a position he held until his retirement this past March. During his tenure at FAHS, the crowning achievement was the reenactment of the January 1, 1914, world's first scheduled airline flight, the St. Petersburg-Tampa Airboat Line. FAHS brought this historic flight to life by constructing a flying replica of the "Benoist" airboat, an endeavor that now stands commemorated with a full-sized sculpture at the new St. Petersburg pier.

In 1991, Warren's curiosity led him to earn his amateur radio license, KD4GUA. Here, he skillfully combined his medical acumen with his literary talents as the editor of the Medical Amateur Radio Council (MARCO) Aether publication. He further contributed as Net Control, CE Coordinator, and CE Presenter for their "Grand Rounds on the Air." Over his three-decade journey in ham radio, he ventured across the country and the world, forging lifelong friendships with fellow enthusiasts he met on the airwaves.

Warren's literary legacy extended beyond his radio work; he penned several books, including "The Patient's Guide to Medicine," "Child Yank Over the Rainbow" (a biography of WWI fighter pilot Joseph Boudwin), "The World's First Airline: St. Petersburg-Tampa Airboat Line," and "Florida Aviation History: The First 100 Years."

In addition to his myriad talents, Warren was an accomplished oil painter, honing this craft during his medical school days. His passion for painting extended to his youngest grandsons, who affectionately call him "Applejack," as he imparted his artistic wisdom during their visits.

Warren was a true survivor, having overcome a bout of polio in 1953 and, more recently, battling and triumphing over COVID-19 in March 2020. Tragically, the latter took his beloved wife, Greet, leaving Warren a widower. Yet, his indomitable spirit defied all expectations as he continued to lead a vibrant life, relishing solitary pursuits like painting and swimming, diligently crafting his written works, and maintaining an active social calendar that included lunches with friends and attendance at medical lectures at the hospital.

Warren is survived by his children, James Brown, Suzanne Panayiotou, Eric DeNooyer, and Annemarie Pender, along with his cherished grandchildren, Christopher Panayiotou, Kenneth Pender, and Evan Pender.

In lieu of flowers, the Florida Aviation Historical Society is establishing a scholarship fund in Warren's honor. Donations may be sent to:

Albert Whitted Airport Preservation Society

C/O Warren Brown Scholarship Fund

Albert Whitted Airport

451 8th Avenue SE

St. Petersburg, FL 33701

Doc Brown’s legacy will continue to soar, just as he did in his beloved skies.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.sylvanabbey.com for the Brown family.