Byron William Brown

Byron was an educator at heart and taught Economics at Michigan State University for 51 years.

He graduated from Cornell University in 1960 and pursued a PhD in Economics from John’s Hopkins University which he completed in 1966. He joined Michigan State University in 1964, and was promoted to an Assistant Professor after completing his graduate degree work. He went on to become a full professor at Michigan State University and enjoyed his years there, regularly teaching in the Honors College and developing technology for on-line and hybrid courses. He also held a number of administrative positions in the university, including assistant to MSU president Walter Adams, Chairperson of the Economics department and a joint appointment as coordinator of Instructional Technology support in the office of Libraries, Computing and Technology. His main focus was teaching, how students learned, and how to improve teaching.

Byron lived an active and fulfilling life, and had many interests and hobbies. He taught himself to play the guitar and recorder, and dabbled in painting. He was an avid photographer, often asked by others to document their meaningful events. His athletic activities included fencing, bicycling, rock and mountain climbing, hiking, canoeing, and cross country skiing. He loved to garden, investigating and growing many varieties of peppers and tomatoes. He enjoyed providing friends with much of what he grew.

Surviving are his wife of 63 years, Barbara; his daughters, Stephanie (David Ferreira), Meredith; his brother, W. Dean Brown, and several nieces and nephews.

Per his wishes, cremation has taken place and no formal services are planned. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Parkinson’s Foundation, https://www.parkinson.org/