Tribute Wall
Friday
8
May
Funeral Mass
11:00 am
Friday, May 8, 2020
St John Neumann Catholic Church
11900 Lawyer's Road
Reston, Virginia, United States
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Mel Kay posted a condolence
Wednesday, May 13, 2020
I first met Patrick through the Reston Runners about 20 years ago. I enjoyed running and talking with him early on and you always kept up the pace - no "slacking off". Patrick had a great sense of humor and in spite of all his accomplishments, was slow to reveal many of them. When I gradually learned of his many feats I was truly amazed.
We can take some consolation in the fact that Patrick climbed a lot of mountains, skied a lot of slopes and ran a lot of races.
He lived a full life with Leslie. We never want to say goodbye but we can never totally control the final finish line.
We will miss you Patrick but the memories will stay with us.
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Mike McCord uploaded photo(s)
Saturday, May 9, 2020
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Here are two nice photos of Pat. The one with Leslie is by Brian Kent from our December 2013 holiday party, the other is from the 2014 Boston marathon.
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Mike McCord lit a candle
Saturday, May 9, 2020
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All of us at Reston Runners will miss Pat's cheerful demeanor and smile, but we will continue to draw inspiration from the way he kept on running well into his 70s, and doing it so well. I remember him, and give him my regards, each morning now, along with other dear departed Reston Runners like Tim and Ed, when I pass our memorial bench at Lake Newport on my morning walk. A life well lived to be certain. Mike McCord
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Satish C. Bhatnagar posted a condolence
Saturday, May 9, 2020
SUMMATION OF A LIFE!
As soon as I saw the word, Leslie in the text message received an hour ago, I fully sensed its contents. Pat Brown died last Saturday, May 02, 2020 (not of Coronavirus) - he was 75. Leslie and Pat have been together for the last twenty years. In our Last January 2019 meeting, I was shocked to notice the ravages caused by Dementia squared on Pat’s body that had wrestled in youth, climbed on rocks and ran several marathons in midlife as a single parent and a partner.
For the last few weeks, my thoughts had hovered around Pat’s welfare in a premonitory state of my mind. Of all the people that I have met and known after coming to the US in 1968, Pat is the first person to check out from Planet Earth.
Pat and I were amongst over 200 graduate students in the Mathematics Department of Indiana University (IU) at Bloomington. Pat was newly married then, but I had already been married for five years and had two kids. We developed Mathematical camaraderie, particularly during 1971-73, when we were doing our individual research under the guidance of Professor Robert P. Gilbert.
At this point in time, there are only two things that I vividly remember about Pat, and they do define a slice of his life. Number 1 - one day, while studying some research papers sitting across a big table in IU’s Lilly Library, Pat suddenly spoke up - ”Satish, you know, Gilbert and Colton (our other common doctoral committee member) have solved all the easy problems and we are left with the difficult ones.” It seems that Pat’s remark struck so deep inside me that I still remember it. However, I have integrated it in my life in a manner that instead of looking at others’ trees, I find my own tree that has low hanging fruits. Also, when you work hard enough, difficult problems become easier. For instance, I used to think that I would be dead before my name appeared as an author of a book. With persistence and patience, my name is already on ten books in six different genres - all written after the age of 70.
The work on a doctoral dissertation, especially in mathematics, creates many hours of frustration and loneliness. Nearly 30% of the graduate students leave the department or change their academic programs without finishing math PhDs. The marital and psychological issues do factor into the high pressure caused by the dissertation phase. There are no safety valves in this scenario.
Number 2 - around the same time, Pat’s wife became a doctoral student in the English Department. They both used to come together to the Library with their lunches, studied and ate together. I often joined them. Once, not seeing his wife around, I casually inquired about her. But it was, as if I had touched a raw nerve, Pat blurted, “We are together for 24 hours a day and seven days a week that I feel like hitting my head against a wall. For a while, I want to be alone in my own space.”
That actually applies to most doctoral students in hardcore disciplines in reputed universities. We lived in IU’s married housing of four-plexes. The stories of tempers, divorces and separations amongst the families of doctoral students were commonly heard of. A boiling point was reached in my married life too. A few months before defending my dissertation, I let my wife and kids go to India for four months!
Life is a bubble, a speck, a tiny wavelet, which is constantly emerging against a horizon and submerging back into it - an ocean; whatever its image of it one may like to conjure up. Thanks Pat for a few lasting memories, but powerful enough to bring out this reflection out of me.
Satish C. Bhatnagar
May 07, 2020
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h katharine hunter posted a condolence
Friday, May 8, 2020
I am sad to learn about Pat... I miss many of my friends in Reston and when sad things happen, it helps me remember how much love we have shared over the years... thinking about race management and this year at new year's I thought about greens and black-eye peas and coins and paper money, sweets and LOVE and companionship... I am sad, and glad for the years and the memories... and send love to Leslie and to Pat's family and to all of the friends who shared so many memories... breakfasts, race maintenance, parties, dress-up, annual meetings as an excuse for LATE parties and CLEAN UPs..photos of mountain climbing expeditions, race medals... etc etc
love to all... memories are forever... thank you Pat Brown for being in my life too..
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Jon Armao posted a condolence
Friday, May 8, 2020
Pat was a man of many talents, but I will remember him mostly as a friendly, funny, interesting guy. Pat and I had many conversations about running, but most of the time we talked about skiing and mountain climbing. I was always an armchair climber enamored with stories in Outside Magazine and various climbing web sites. But Pat was the real thing. I used to pepper him with endless questions about his climbing adventures and relate climbing stories I had read that I knew would interest him.
Pat and I had a tradition that started about 10 years ago. Somehow we accidentally bumped into each other one day—and from then on it became a competition. One of us would sneak up on the other on the trail or at a gathering—wherever—and give a bump to the other guy when he was unaware. And sometimes it really hurt. Pat’s bumps weren’t always gentle. Yeah, it was a bit sophomoric, but it always ended with a good laugh. I will miss him, his friendship—and the bumps.
My condolences to Leslie and to Pat's family. Pat will be sorely missed.
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Bob Thurston posted a condolence
Friday, May 8, 2020
I will really miss Pat! He was always so positive, even when facing daunting tasks. I didn't even know he was a mountain climber, but maybe that explains how he was able to keep a positive outlook. He did yeoman service in directing the GW Birthday Marathon for many years-- one of the really challenging races to manage as it always comes at the coldest time of the year, and it does go on and on and on! He, along with Leslie, was always willing to help us at the Bread Run and other local races with water stops or course marshaling.
He and I undertook to lay out and certify the marathon in Reston-- a huge task, and he was also learning how to do course measuring for the first time. His energy never flagged. We were measuring together one time when I made a sudden stop as I came upon a point to be marked-- Pat was right behind me and didn't have time to stop and ended up crashing to the ground to avoid plowing through me. Totally my fault, but he got up, dusted himself off and was ready to go.
My condolences to Leslie, to Pat's family, and to all the friends who will miss him.
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DanielWick uploaded photo(s)
Friday, May 8, 2020
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Pat’s Bet.
Frank had the ability to get under anyone’s skin and did so with such glee that Pat’s easygoing nature made him often a victim of Frank’s provoking. Pat had taken up running at that time, was quite proud of his ability, and made some offhand statement that he bet he could run 5 miles faster than Frank could ride a bicycle that distance. Pat was a mathematician while Frank was a nuclear physicist. Though he was short, overweight, and older than Pat, Frank had a little better understanding of gravity, friction, and also went on bike rides with his children. Frank hit on that bet like a hungry trout hits a fly and had Pat making a gentlemen’s bet of five dollars in a second. This happened as our MITRE group stood about our secretary’s desk during a mental health break. I gasped, as did others who had done a few hundred miles of running and biking. The group tried to get Pat to renege on the bet knowing the certain outcome. Of course, Frank was laughing and needling Pat as we pleaded with him to withdraw the bet, but, with that same stubbornness that got him over the long dreary trail over Mount Denali, Pat was determined to prove Frank wrong.
The date was set for the next Friday at Bay Area Park in Houston. We drove around the road that looped the park and determined with our odometers what would approximate five miles to which both contestants agreed. Frank dressed in his secondhand work clothes with his one speed rusty bike purchased from Goodwill. (For you, who do not know, Frank did achieve his lifetime goal of saving a million dollars after decades of macaroni and cheese and secondhand clothing.) Pat was decked out in his running clothes (sleeveless shirt, shorts, and running shoes). Most of our MITRE group was in attendance – not that we did not already know what the outcome was to be but to drink the beer we had brought that tasted better because it was illegal to drink in the park, and of course, to support Pat after his certain failure.
The two, Frank on his old rusty bike and Pat in his spiffy running outfit, stood side by side when someone said, “Go.” Out of the blocks, Pat took an immediate lead for at least a few hundred yards while Frank, like the Aesop's famous turtle, pedaled off after him and easily passed him before the first loop. The group cheered on Pat so hoping the chain would come off Frank’s bicycle to no avail. After Frank lapped Pat twice, we convinced him to concede the race and drink with us which he did.
I do not know, but I imagine Frank took Pat’s five dollars as serious as he was to get to a million dollars in the bank. But, Pat took the loss well, and we laughed about the Great Race for the decade we shared at MITRE.
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Delabian Rice-Thurston posted a condolence
Friday, May 8, 2020
I always looked forward to seeing Pat and Leslie at the Bread Run at Glen Echo Park, Maryland. They were faithful course marshals over the years. Cheerful no matter the weather! I will so miss his smile.
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Jack Farrell uploaded photo(s)
Thursday, May 7, 2020
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Pat was my best friend. We met as runners in high school and stayed in touch our whole lives. We did all or parts of the High Sierra Trail three times, summiting Mt. Whitney together once. He proceeded to rock climb Mt. Whitney a couple of days later. Since my wife and I moved to Mammoth (a ski resort town) in 2005 Pat came every year to ski with us, including last year after he was already very ill. I will miss him for all the days I have left.
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Lexie Armao uploaded photo(s)
Thursday, May 7, 2020
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Jon and I have known Pat through the Reston Runners for many years. We’ve done many things with Pat and Leslie and shared the same group of friends to enjoy runs, breakfasts, parties, movies, skiing, hikes, and bike rides. Pat was an accomplished mountain climber. One summer (about 6 or 7 years ago) we met up with him after he had run a marathon and climbed a mountain to do a 7-day hike of the High Sierra in Yosemite National Park. Last New Years Pat and Leslie were with a big group of Reston Runner friends for a celebratory dinner (see picture). He was an easy guy to be with - always pleasant, fun, and interesting. It’s hard to imagine not having him with us anymore. We will miss you a great deal, Pat.
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Stuart Bell posted a condolence
Thursday, May 7, 2020
Pat and I worked together in Houston for a few years. He used to run over for dinner after work occasionally and literally. He went home changed to do his running clothes and ran over for dinner like it was a normal thing for all of us to do. Pat had a great sense of humor about running. One day in the parking lot in Virginia the company nurse cornered us and suggested we get more exercise. Pat said he was too busy but will try to fit some in. Turns out his schedule is full training for a marathon that weekend. I haven’t seen him since the Mitre days, but I miss him every day.
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jane anderson chancler lit a candle
Thursday, May 7, 2020
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James Scarborough posted a condolence
Thursday, May 7, 2020
Pat was a great guy, always friendly, knowledgeable, and practical. He was the kind of race director and volunteer that DC Road Runners was always looking for, and glad to have. He will be missed!
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Pat Kay lit a candle
Thursday, May 7, 2020
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I am so sorry for what Leslie and Patrick had to go through the past couple of years. They were brave and resilient people. My favorite thing about Patrick was his wit. He would come up with the cleverest comments that always made me laugh. Even near the end his wit was still with him.
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Kathryn Pew lit a candle
Thursday, May 7, 2020
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Ankur Hajare uploaded photo(s)
Thursday, May 7, 2020
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Pat and I worked together for several years in the same group at MITRE-Houston. Pat was a single parent and I was most impressed at his dedication to taking care of his son. Since I live near the starting point of the Boston Marathon, Pat would stay at my house the night before the race and I would drop him off in the morning.
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Mary Ann O’Connor posted a condolence
Thursday, May 7, 2020
Pat was a loyal and loving friend to me and my late husband,Bill Cavanaugh. One of the “Einstein Friday Group” he will be missed for his wonderful sense of humor, and his great friendship to all. I will miss our walks back home and looking for his initials on the green box “PMB”. Farewell my friend, Mary Ann O’Connor
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Justin Brown uploaded photo(s)
Thursday, May 7, 2020
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I have always looked up to my dad as “the greatest.” He was truly a Renaissance man: an Eagle Scout, PHD mathematician, software engineer, music/theater aficionado, marathoner, triathlete, black diamond skier, marathon organizer, running club president, baseball coach, mountaineer, rock climber, backpacker, globetrotter, and devout Catholic. He was the world’s slowest eater, but always cleaned his plate.
Most of all he was a loving father. I remember when he used to stay up late helping me with my high school English essays, calculus homework, and science fair projects. Asking for help with math was always tricky because I had to endure a lengthy theoretical lecture before getting to the answer. He took me to see my first two concerts (Joan Jett and Gateful Dead) in the early 80’s at the Astroworld theme park in Houston. We sometimes danced at home to “Old Time Rock & Roll” by Bob Seeger & the Silver Bullet Band. We saw Nolan Ryan pitch at the Astrodome and Hakeem Olajuwon vs. Michael Jordan at the Summit. He used to come home from work and say, “You know what I’m doing?... I’m keeping America first in space!” Outside of work, he had season tickets to the Alley Theater and frequently went to see the Houston symphony and ballet. As a kid, I made fun of him for these cultural interests, but I admire him now.
Dad, you are the greatest. I love you and will miss you dearly.
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Bonnie and Bill Whyte posted a condolence
Thursday, May 7, 2020
What a privilege to have known Pat. His adventures are the stuff of legends. Looked forward to get togethers with him and Leslie with great pleasure. He leaves us with great memories. Bonnie and Bill
Whyte
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Ayoub Farahyar planted a tree in memory of Patrick Brown
Thursday, May 7, 2020
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Christy Samuelson Brown uploaded photo(s)
Thursday, May 7, 2020
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So sorry to hear Pat is gone too soon. I found a picture of Pat when he was at UCLA getting a Master's in Math. He had the same smile he had at 25 and never gained a pound. He liked to write letters, kind of a lost art now. He attended mass regularly at the Neumann Center at UCLA. He loved family--his mom, dad, 3 younger brothers, and was very proud of Justin. He was a loyal and enthusiastic friend. He worked hard at his studies but also --one summer he worked highway construction, one summer he worked at Pt. Mugu Naval Station in Ventura. But he also loved to have fun, travel and try new things. I know the last few years were difficult, but I am glad he had a chance to live a full life as long as he could.
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Dottye Hamblin posted a condolence
Thursday, May 7, 2020
So sorry to hear this news. I worked with Pat at MITRE. A very nice, interesting and kind man. Thoughts and prayers to his family.
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George Stark posted a condolence
Wednesday, May 6, 2020
Pat was a great friend of mine at MITRE-Houston. He helped me a lot in my early professional career with stochastic process and linear algebra to make my research and papers better. He was fun to tease with, especially the race between him and a bicycle in the park in Clear Lake. We had many fun adventures. Best wishes to Leslie and Justin, the two loves of his life.
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Leslie H Stanfield uploaded photo(s)
Wednesday, May 6, 2020
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Wendy Samuelson Gladwin planted a tree in memory of Patrick Brown
Wednesday, May 6, 2020
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So sorry for your loss.
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Jack Farrell uploaded photo(s)
Wednesday, May 6, 2020
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Pat was my best friend. Even though we met in high school, running cross country and track, we stayed in touch our whole lives. We skied every year together since 2005. We did all or parts of the High Sierra Trail, summiting Mt. Whitney once together, 3 times. He spent an entire 10 mile hike between campsites trying to explain Fermat's last theorem to me. We looked at the stars at night and wondered about cosmology. I will miss him forever.
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Bridget Murphy posted a condolence
Tuesday, May 5, 2020
Dear Leslie, I'm so sorry to hear of Pats passing. He was a good guy. Enjoyed chatting with him when ever i had the chance. I remember the last time we spoke, he said that he was shocked that he was ill. i thought to myself no way is he deathly ill. Miss you Pat! RIP
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The family of Patrick Michael Brown uploaded a photo
Tuesday, May 5, 2020
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Adams-Green Funeral Home & Crematory
721 Elden Street | Herndon, VA 20170
P: (703) 437-1764 or (703) 471-4090 | E: bill@adamsgreen.com
