BROWN, John M.

The Arizona Republic, Phoenix, Arizona Thursday, July 10, 2003 John M. Brown, 82, of Phoenix, passed away July 7, 2003. He was born on May 5, 1921 in Madison, Wisconsin. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin in 1943 earning a degree in chemical engineering. He served three years in the U.S. Navy during World War II, attending the Midshipmens' School at Columbia University. He served as Engineering Officer and later commanded an amphibious ship (LCI-881) as a Lt.j.g. in the Battle of Okinawa. At the war's end, he married Roberta Rae Millecam in Hammond Indiana in 1946. During his 35 years with AirResearch-Garrett, his engineering projects included design work for NASA on the chest pack worn by astronauts in the first lunar launch, as well as the APU system currently used on all DC-9 aircraft. He also made significant engineering contributions in the development of the gas turbine engine. He leaves his beloved wife of 56 years, Roberta; daughter Janice; sons Roger (Cathy); John Daniel (Evelyn); and grandchildren Daniel, John Patrick, Brian, Christopher and Spencer. A private, family memorial will be held Thursday at the Messinger Indian School Mortuary. Internment will follow at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona. He will be remembered and loved for his thoughtful insight and intuitive wit. His kind, loving spirit will be missed by those who knew and loved him.