Thomas Andrew Brown
Thomas Andrew (Tom) Brown died on May 7, 2018 in Des Moines, Washington after a brief illness. He was 85 years old. Tom grew up in Iowa City, Iowa and graduated in 3 years from the University of Iowa with a bachelor’s degree in Math and a minor in Philosophy – because the Philosophy department was the closest to his apartment. As a Rhodes Scholar he studied at Balliol College, University of Oxford where he graduated with a First in Math.
While serving as a Lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force at Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio, he met the love of his life, Louise Baggott Brown. They were married for over 60 years. Shortly after their marriage, they moved to Boston, Massachusetts where he received a PhD in Math from Harvard University. Upon graduation they moved to Santa Monica, California where he worked for the Rand Corporation and they raised their children. In 1977 he was appointed as the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Strategic Program Analysis and Evaluation in the Carter Administration. Following his government service, he found a new home at Northrup as a manager with the B-2 division.
In retirement, Tom devoted himself to many activities including volunteering at Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church in Maple Valley, coaching MathCounts in the Tahoma School District, taking voice lessons, dancing the role of Drosselmeyer with the Ensemble Ballet Theater, writing his memoirs, and most of all, being active in the grandparent business. He had an uncanny way of finding a connection with each grandchild – by recounting the history of wars (all of them), having a tea party, building Rube Goldberg machines or anything else that interested them.
Tom is survived by his wife of over 60 years, Louise; his children, James (Cindy), Mary Richards (Cliff), Catherine Wyman (Bruce); grandchildren Monica (Brian), Jenny (Daniel), Tom (Jessica), James, Mary, Cory, and Charlie; as well as many great grandchildren.
Memorial services were held on Thursday, May 10 at 10:00 AM in the chapel at Judson Park in Des Moines, Washington. The family is grateful for the love and support of his many friends and request that those wishing to make a donation on behalf of Tom consider the Salvation Army or your local food bank.
