K. Bradford Brown of Walnut Creek, California, passed away on August 10, 2007 after a courageous battle with Lewy Body Dementia. He was 78 years old. A true warrior of the spirit, he faced his illness with tremendous grace, fortitude and humor.
Brad was born in Reno, Nevada to Jeanne and Irvine Brown. He grew up in the Bay Area and despite traveling widely throughout the world, his favorite place was on his sailboat in the San Francisco Bay.
Brad lived a full and immensely rich life. He received a Master of Divinity from the Church Divinity School of the Pacific, and a PhD in Clinical Psychology from United States International University in San Diego. He served as rector of All Souls Episcopal Church in Berkeley for five years and also, St. Edwards in San Jose and St. Barnabas in Arroyo Grande.
A true humanitarian, Brad marched from Selma to Montgomery with Dr. Martin Luther King during the civil rights movement of the 1960’s. With his wife Anne, he set up the Institute for Family and Human Relations in Los Gatos.
It was as co-founder and Trainer for the Life Training Personal Development Program that Brad made the largest contribution towards peace and reconciliation worldwide. Through his unique teachings and insight, he touched the lives of countless people, earning the love, admiration and respect of all those with whom he came into contact, from Maasai Warriors to NASA scientists.
A role model, father figure and mentor, Brad was instrumental in transforming the lives of hundreds of thousands. With his unconditional love of the human spirit, Brad enabled those he met to deepen their connection with life as it is. Even though he is no longer physically with us, his indomitable spirit lives on and will continue to inspire and enlighten people for many generations to come.
Brad had a lifelong love of sailing and spent a year cruising in Mexico and on the East coast. He was also an accomplished trumpet player, forming his own dance band, “Brad Brown and his men about town.” An aspiring writer, Brad published a number of books.
Brad is survived by many who continue his legacy. He will be especially missed by his wife, Dr. Anne Chalfant Brown of Walnut Creek, California; his former wife, Sara Marks Brown; his sister, Joanne MacAlpine of Claremont; his daughter, Linda Jurasek and husband Rob of Pioneer; sons, Richard of Auburn, Christopher and wife, Christi of Pleasant Hill, Joel and Kyle of Walnut Creek, and eight grandchildren. He was pre-deceased by his first wife, LoRayne and his son, Kenneth.
Thank you to the all the medical staff who contributed to Brad’s care in the final months.
A memorial service and celebration of Brad’s life will be held at 11:00am on September 8, 2007 at St. Anselms Episcopal Church, Lafayette. A private cremation took place on August 24, 2007.
In lieu of flowers, donations in the memory of Brad Brown may be made to the non-profit Kairos Foundation, 1508 Coleman Road, Suite 110, Knoxville, TN 37909.
6 comments:
Anyone who is still in the "fight" to find the antidote to Lewy Body disorders cannot help but feel unconditional compassionion to those who loved and cared for Bradford Brown. My husband is in his fifth year of this neurological challenge. We continue to work with neuroscientists and organizations dedicted to finding solutions. Blessings, Marjorie Carmen/The Carmen Foundation, Lexington, MA
Anne and all whose hearts are so connected to Brad's,
My heart has been and is so with you! My words are slow to come forth, still lingering with my heartbeats. I send you my love and always open arms.
And to you, Brad, thank you for your love, your boldness, your ROAR of what's REAL and your forever renewing presence in my Life!
As Alex and I were driving to meet our daughter, Hannah at college, we were listening to Amazing Grace. Thank you God for the amazing grace call Brad!
Brad, I will see you in lifeshocks as they come my way...I'll feel you in the wind, the wings of a butterfly, and in the 'full catastrophes' of Life! I pray for the same twinkle and gleam in your eye, the joyous jester, the humble healer, the bold, beautiful Brad! You are so much a part of me! Thank you! Thank you! I'll keep listening! And whenever the great horse trainer harnesses me, and waits patiently for my attention. I will Notice, and Wake Up and Behold! And when I don't, thank God for such patient, loving trainers!
Love NOW! (which is SO ALWAYS!)
Ann Gordon
I am thankful that when life called out to Brad he said YES,
And because of this it has made all the differance in my life!
Forever grateful,
Susie Harris
Bozeman, Mt
On August 2nd, after TCing the previous weekend in Knoxville, I was called by name to TS the October Denver/RMR MTL Weekend. I said YES! My fire was lit, like Brad wanted for so many of us. I was inspired to create this Weekend in honor of Brad. One week later Brad died in his human form. His death has inspired me even more...
My inspired theme for the Weekend in honor of Brad; ''I have a dream...'' ALL about connection, inclusiveness and love.
I didn't make it to the Sept. 8th Service for Brad because once again, I was called to lead my first Team meeting for the Weekend. We took some special time in our meeting to honor Brad in his Episcopal faith. Carole and Bill Horger were amazing in their reading of prayer and scripture, and of course we sang Amazing Grace. We also showed the Intro to the SEE class video whereby Brad introduces himself and welcomes folks to the journey, in that many of our new students never had the opportunity to meet Brad. My experience of all of us honoring Brad in ‘his’ faith, was renewing and rich, and inspired hope for all of us to one day honor one another in our own unique individuality and faith.
On Sept. 4th, before Brad's Service, I had another sort of dream. Many of you from the Christian faith, of which I am, might appreciate this dream in its essence;
''Brad and I were sitting at a park, at a picnic table, sharing with one another. He was thanking me for honoring him in this upcoming training. We talked for a while, then, it was time for him to go. We said our good byes. Then, off he ran as I had witnessed him run at Way of the Warrior . . .
. . . He flew . . .
. . . freely . . .
. . . effortlessly . . .
I lovingly watched him as he ran/flew down the path to what was next for him. I wanted to get up and follow him, however, I knew that it was not time for me to follow him to where he was now headed.''
I woke from my dream in a panic, immediately thinking , ''Wait! Brad isn't dead! I have to tell everyone. They can't have his Service on Saturday because . . . he lives!''. . .
Then I settled a bit and remembered, 'oh ya, he experienced death in this human form, however, HE LIVES!''
He lives on in the work, in you and me, in this next training that is in his honor, and in every training hereafter. He has been, is now, and always will be a part of this labor of love, and us. He continues to inspire me and speak to me, much like others in my life that have passed before me.
We are 5 weeks out from the Weekend and we have 12 registered!!! This is a new beginning for our community. This is the beginning of the Next Generation of More To Life.
Every new moment
brings vast possibilities.
Death is a moment.
Are there
no more
possibilities? ~ KBB
In Honor and Gratitude for your special touch in my life Brad,
Karen D. Anderson (aka 'kd')
RMR/Denver, Colorado
Learned of Brad's passing and was sad for a moment. Realized that he had prompted me to search the Kairos site. There are niether regrets nor resentments. His gift was perfect and his life was impeccable. I can say that, "I feel his love and presense, mostly his love". The best gift of all is knowing that I love him too. I love his life and the gift of who he is. - Joe York
I just learned of Brad's passing. Thank you Brad for sharing your gift...
Touchstones...
Straight Face...
Conscious in life...
Say YES...
Love. Kim Merrill - 1987 ATM Grad
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