George Brown (1935-2007)

George W. Brown (March 31, 1935 – July 17, 2007) was born in West Palm Beach, Florida, and was a resident of Downers Grove, Illinois, for 40 years. He graduated from MIT in the Class of 1956, with a degree in civil engineering. His primary professional career was 22 years with Turner Construction, followed by a career in consulting and designing. He became a video producer. Following his intense interest in history and folk music, he voluntarily produced, marketed and hosted folk musicians and singers for the enjoyment of hundreds of concert attendees in support of the preservation of the historic National Registry landmark Maple Street Chapel in Lombard, Illinois, an activity he took on at the request of the venue's founder Bryan Dagenhart. George could be heard hosting and spinning tales on WDCB Public Radio (90.9 FM) for the past seven years at the College of DuPage.

The Fall 2007 edition of Quarter Notes, the quarterly publication the Plank Road Folk Music Society (PlankRpad.org), contained a tribute to George. And here is what members of Folk Alliance said about him.

George is survived by his three daughters, Cynthia Edith Cuppernell, Kathy Sue Porter and Nanci O'Sullivan; one son, George Alan Brown; his only sister, Carol Ann Brown Drozd; seven grandchildren, Charles, Sophia and Melissa Porter, Rebecca and Victoria Cuppernell, and Michael and Amanda Brown; and one great-grandson, Tyler.

We are grateful to Cyndi Cuppernell, George Brown's daughter, for pointing us to the picture of her father used here.