Brown, Milton J. 1932-2011

BROWN, HOCKENBERG, WEBER, KENYON

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 1/23/2017 at 11:55:54

Milton Brown
West Des Moines
Obituary Condolences

Milton J. Brown died at home Monday night, felled by an aggressive cancer. He was born in Omaha on July 16, 1932, the son of Mary and Joseph Brown. He attended Northwestern University and graduated from the University of Iowa, continuing on there to earn a law degree. A funeral service will be held on Thursday May 19, 2011 at 1 p.m. at Temple B'nai Jeshurun, burial to follow in Jewish Glendale Cemetery.

He served his country as an infantry lieutenant, stationed in Bamberg, Germany, between 1955 and 1957. His outstanding performance as a public information officer in Bamberg earned him a parade in his honor when his service was over.

Milt joined the food brokerage firm of Hockenberg Rubin upon finishing law school. He spent 27 years there, building the non-food department into a major component of the business. Upon leaving Hockenberg Rubin, he opened his own business, working as a business broker and marketing consultant until his retirement in 2010.

In 1955 he married Joanne Hockenberg. Together they raised and enjoyed their three children, Linda Weber, Dr. Jay (Carole) Brown, and Bennett Brown. Milt also reveled in the company of six grandchildren, Michael and Sam Weber; Jake, Greer, and Lily Brown; and Frieda Pi Kenyon Brown. The family enjoyed many times together at the Browns' summer home in Okoboji, Iowa, and together, the Brown/Weber crew also traveled on several occasions to Mexico, Central America, and Europe. When the adult children expressed concern over the cost of these travels to their parents, Milt's standard reply was, "We're making memories." And they did.

Milt was a leader in the greater Des Moines community, serving as Chairman of the Board of Planned Parenthood of Greater Iowa, Chairman of the Broadlawns Board of Trustees, President of Polk County Health Services, President of Temple B'nai Jeshurun, and active in the Polk County Charter Commission.

His passions included his family, tennis, the Iowa Hawkeyes, Community Theater (both as a performer and benefactor), his poker group, good food and the company of dogs.

Known for his sense of humor and sharp wit, which he retained even through the final stages of his illness, he will be sorely missed by his family and many friends. Donations in Milt's memory may be made to Temple B'nai Jeshurun or to Planned Parenthood of Greater Iowa.
- See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/desmoinesregister/obituary.aspx?n=milton-brown&pid=151110245#sthash.6A4w6XB3.dpuf ~ The Des Moines Register, Des Moines, Iowa Thur 19 May 2011.