David R. Brown

DAVID RODNEY BROWN died peacefully in his sleep at his home in Duluth, Minnesota on September 11, 2019. He was 68 years old. David was born on February 13, 1951 in Waseca, Minnesota. He attended Shattuck School in Faribault, Minnesota and Waseca Central where he graduated in 1969.

David had many friends growing up and enjoyed traveling and time with his family. He loved music and was an accomplished pianist in his early years. His passion for writing and history led him to write historical feature stories for the Waseca Daily Journal in his senior year. He attended college at the University of Denver, where he was immediately encouraged to pursue a career in journalism.

After returning home from his first year of college, David exhibited symptoms of paranoia and auditory hallucinations. At the age of 19 he began mental health treatment in Rochester, Minnesota and was eventually admitted to Menninger Clinic in Topeka, Kansas where he was diagnosed with schizophrenia. In spite of the best mental health treatments and hospitals available, David’s promising future was cut short by the debilitating symptoms of this chronic disease.

David appreciated the ongoing love of his family and the many kind and supportive caregivers who helped him cope with his disability. This abundant love along with his life-long appreciation of music and movies helped David find comfort and peace with his often difficult life.

David was preceded in death by his parents, Bonnie M. and Wayne R. Brown and grandparents, Donald and Isabella Brown and Rodney and Vera Brown. He is survived by his siblings Roberta Brown Root (Randy Hoehn) of Seattle Washington, Laurie Brown (Linda Hanson) of Shoreview, MN, and Christopher Brown (Penny Brown) of Mankato, MN; his uncle Grove Brown (Carol Brown); and many cousins, nieces, nephews and their children.

There will be a celebration of David’s life at 11:00 AM, October 18, 2019 at Grace Lutheran Church in Waseca, with visitation an hour before.  The family requests that memorials be given to The National Alliance on Mental Illness of Minnesota.

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