Dr. Frederick J. Brown, Jr.

Dr. Frederick J. Brown, Jr., a resident of Frederick, Maryland, died on January 25, 2023 at Homewood at Crumland Farms. Born in Brunswick, Maryland, in 1927, Fred was the son of the late Frederick J. and Margaret M. Brown. Fred had lived in various parts of Maryland, in Sebring, Florida, and briefly in New York City.

He is survived by two sons, Eric (Debra) of Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, and Richard (Kimberly) of Frederick. He leaves behind two granddaughters, Dr. Inga Brown, and Erica Rufener (Dan), as well as two great-grandchildren. A son, Jonathan, predeceased him in 1959. Twice widowed, he was predeceased by his first wife, the former Jean Hastings, in 1984; and by his second wife, the former Mary Frances Earhart, in 2012. He was much beloved by his extended, blended family who survives him.

Fred was named the "Most Promising Senior" in his graduating class at Brunswick High School in 1944. He enrolled at Western Maryland College, in Westminster, Maryland, where he met Jean, a coed from Delaware. They graduated in 1947, were married the following year, and returned to Brunswick, where Fred taught English and French at his alma mater. Jean was the school librarian and taught world history. Fred was the school principal there in 1956 and was appointed Frederick County's Supervisor of High Schools in 1957. In 1962 he earned the Doctor of Education degree at Teachers College, Columbia University, where he had been awarded a Procter & Gamble Fellowship. He returned to Frederick County as Assistant Superintendent of Schools. He and his family moved to Charles County, Maryland, in 1963 when Fred was appointed Superintendent of Schools there. He later served as Deputy Superintendent of Schools for Montgomery County.

Following this, Fred next began a career at the Maryland State Department of Education, serving as Associate State Superintendent of Schools. During his tenure he championed arts and sciences education, educational television, and other initiatives. Governors Tawes, Agnew, and Mandel appointed him to various advisory boards. He was a member of a national delegation of US school administrators who traveled to Eastern Europe and the USSR to observe their educational systems in the early 1960s. In 1976, the Governor conferred on him a Certificate of Distinguished Citizenship for his outstanding leadership in more than 29 years of service to Maryland and to the education profession. Embarking on a second career in education, Fred joined the faculty of The George Washington University in Washington, DC, where he was Professor of Education Administration and chairman of the doctoral education leadership program. While at GW, he advised numerous doctoral candidates and international students and also taught courses at GW's Tidewater Center in Virginia. He was named Professor Emeritus of Education at GW in 1990.

Fred actively participated in community, church, and fraternal organizations. He served as President of the Rotary Club of Brunswick, member of the Rotary Club of Potomac, Maryland, and charter member and second President of the Rotary Club of Fredericktowne, and later with the Rotary Club of Sebring. A Freemason for more than seventy years, he was Past Master of Brunswick Lodge No. 191, a 32 nd Degree Scottish Rite Mason, and a member of Frederick Chapter No. 79, Order of the Eastern Star. Fred was a member of several retired school personnel associations, served on administrative boards of United Methodist churches in Maryland, and in later years was a member of Evangelical Lutheran Church in Frederick. He was proud to have been named a Distinguished Citizen of Brunswick in 1977.

Fred enjoyed writing, and he published widely in educational journals. An avid golfer, he was a charter member of Holly Hills Country Club. He also enjoyed reading, classical music, classic cars, and especially, travel - he visited more than 50 countries, many US states, and all continents except Antarctica. Fred greatly enjoyed keeping up with his former students, professional colleagues, and friends. He was a beloved and regular attendee at Brunswick High School reunions. He was very devoted to his extended family, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

The family will receive friends from 1-3pm and 6-8pm on Friday, 24 March 2023 at Keeney & Basford Funeral Home, 106 East Church Street, Frederick, MD, with Masonic services at 7:30pm. A funeral will be held at 11am on Saturday, 25 March, 2023 at Evangelical Lutheran Church, 31 East Church Street, Frederick, MD. The Rev. Dr. Paul A. Baglyos will officiate. Inurnment will be private. Online condolences may be shared at www.keeneybasford.com

Kindly omit flowers in favor of memorial contributions to: Evangelical Lutheran Church Endowment Fund, 35 East Church Street, Frederick, MD 21701; or to Community Foundation of Frederick County, Inc. - Attn: FCRSPA Teachers Scholarship Fund, 312 East Church Street, Frederick, MD 21701. Dr. Frederick Brown, Jr.