Dr. Stephen Dale Brown

Dr. Stephen Dale Brown, son of Eleanor M. Brown and Dr. Dale Brown, Jr., died unexpectedly in the early hours of June 29, 2023. He was 56 years of age. For the past 7 years, Stephen fought a valiant and courageous battle to overcome disabilities from severe brain and spinal cord injuries.

In his early years, Stephen became an accomplished pianist, winning first prize in a city-wide competition. He continued his music accomplishments throughout his life.

During his formative years, Stephen attended Cheley Colorado Camps; while there, he climbed almost every mountain in Rocky Mountain National Park. He loved hiking and back-packing; he was selected outstanding camper in his final year at Cheley. Stephen’s skills and leadership qualities were recognized with his name permanently etched into a support column on one the buildings. While at Cheley, Stephen established long-lasting friendships.

Stephen loved the mountains and the natural world. He first began skiing when he was a young boy. He became enamored with the sport and was an accomplished skier. He and his friends would go to various locations throughout North America to ski. He had an impact on his cousin’s children by helping to teach them to ski and making skiing fun for them by skiing backwards, taking pictures of them while they came down the mountain’s slopes. To them, he was the “fun uncle.”

Stephen was dedicated to his family…his parents and sister, and loved attending family gatherings with aunt, uncle and cousins. He was always willing to offer his time, help and guidance when his medical knowledge was needed. In addition, he loved his dog Tippy whom he personally picked out at the Austin TX animal shelter when he was a little boy. He owned and cared for Tippy for 17 years. In later years after losing Tippy a tiny recently born yellow tabby kitten appeared seemingly out of nowhere on his front doorstep. Stephen adopted the kitten and named her Sadie, who is now in her later years, cared for by Stephen's parents. Stephen was an animal lover too.

Stephen loved to travel. A most meaningful trip for his parents was one that he planned and made arrangements for to Russia in 2014. He got reservations to the Opera, Ballet, and a very famous restaurant in Moscow unbeknownst to his parents as a surprise. Stephen insisted we ride the subway system because each station was unique in its artwork, beauty and décor in the sculpture , paintings , and stained glass. . In addition to the educational and historical aspects of the trip the love expressed to his parents could not be described in words.

Stephen attended Kinkaid High School. At Kinkaid, he became interested in and very competent with computers. As a high school student, he served as a consultant to Apple for HISD and Rice University. While attending Kinkaid, he was selected to be an intern at the Museum of Natural Science under the leadership of Dr. Carolyn Sumners. This internship had a profound influence on Stephen. For the rest of his life, Stephen remained committed to the Museum of Natural Science, especially the planetarium section.

While working at the Museum, Stephen developed computer programs for Haley’s Comet and the Challenger Center for Space Science, as well as the National Museum of Air and Space in Washington, DC. Stephen was placed in charge of the Museum’s eclipse activities that drew over ten thousand people. Stephen assisted Dr. Sumners in developing more than thirty–five educational programs used in schools throughout the country by Scott Foresman (later merged to become Pearson).

After completing his undergraduate studies at the University of Texas, Stephen was the manager of the Burke Baker Planetarium for about 3 years, again under the direction of Dr. Sumners. He then entered medical school at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, Texas.

Stephen was preceded in death by his sister, Christine, who was born with spina bifida and had developed a seizure disorder in adolescence. She died unexpectedly from a seizure in her sophomore year in college. In his essay for medical school, Stephen cited his sister’s unexpected death as one of most influential events in his life, saying that “it taught me how fragile life really is.” Chris’s death motivated Stephen to help preserve and enhance life as a physician. Upon completion of medical school at U.T.M.B., Stephen was accepted into an orthopedic residency at the same institution.

Stephen loved his medical practice. He loved helping patients. Stephen’s service as the only physician on several Medicaid programs for the poor and needy exemplified Stephen’s care for his fellow human beings. He was a strong proponent of minimal pain medication, testifying as an expert witness for the federal government in several opioid hearings and cases. Stephen appeared on programs with Debra Duncan on the television show Medical Monday to discuss treatments that would benefit the afflicted. For years, he was recognized as one of the Top Docs in orthopedic surgery in Houston.

While in medical practice, Stephen continued writing programs for computers. When asked why he would stay up nights writing code on weekends, he replied “It’s fun and I am learning new things.”

Heartfelt thanks go to Stephen’s nurse, Maddie Bunch, and therapists Laura Wiggs, Mandy Smith, Sophia Tilton and Ivan Lipovac. Our gratitude also goes to care-givers Corace Ashton, Sarah Ballah, Flossie Stewart, Kim Roberson, Torea Scott, as well as Dr. Jay Davis who supported and encouraged Stephen during these last years of his life.

Special thanks also go to Stephen’s wonderful friends who championed Stephen the last seven years. They include Phil and Karina Patman, John Abrams, Gary Margolis, Chris and Tammy Ligon, Jon Vicland, David Schultz and Betty Glass (who visited regularly), Dr. Carolyn Sumners, and Laurel Ladwig. Their expressions of love and compassion cannot be described; they made all the difference to Stephen.

Stephen is survived by his parents, Eleanor M. Brown and Dr. Dale Brown Jr., Aunts Ann M. Winkelmann of Galveston, Texas and Beverly Stout of Ocala Florida; and Uncle Bart Doe Moore III of Houston, Texas. Special Cousins in Stephen’s life were Ashley Pratka and her family, as well as Shelby Nielsen and her family and Bartlett D. Moore IV and his family. In addition to Christine his sister Stephen is predeceased by his maternal grandparents Eleanor Douglas Moore and Bartlett D. Moore Jr. of Galveston, Texas and paternal grandparents Louise and Dale Brown, Sr. of Amarillo, Texas.

A private Celebration of Life will be held at a date to be determined.

The family requests that any remembrances given in Stephen’s name be directed to the Museum of Natural Science with special attention to the Burke Baker Planetarium.

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