June 21, 2009:

Ponderings of a Pilgrim PASTOR

“Memories of My Father”

            This past Tuesday was the fifteen anniversary of the death of my father, Maynard Fred Brown.  My Dad was born, raised, and lived in the small town of Otsego, Michigan for most of his life.  He was the next-to-youngest child of six children born to Fred and Eva Brown.  His father died from an accident when he was quite young but his widow, my grandmother, did an incredible job raising the children.  Eventually, all of them graduated from college with at least two degrees!

            My father had hoped to become a medical doctor, as had two of his older brothers, but, as luck would have it, he entered college in the fall of 1929!  That put an end to college and throughout the Great Depression he found work in a variety of places.  When I was a child he worked as a teller in the local bank.  In the early 50’s he was hired as a purchasing agent for a local machinery building company.  This meant more income for our family and life got a little easier.  But once again, something happened.  In the (so-called”) Eisenhower recession of 1958 my Dad and other executives in the company lost their jobs.

            Once again, Dad picked himself up, and in his early 50’s went back to school, finished his college degree, and joined my mother as an elementary school teacher.  They both were incredible teachers and became “teachers of teachers,” mentors, for the rest of their careers.

            I tell you my father’s story on this Father’s Day not only to tell you how proud I am to have been his son, but also how much I admire his ability to perservere in the face of great difficulties.  He left wonderful memories to this family, friends, and several generations of school children.  Not a bad legacy, wouldn’t you agree?

Love,

Pastor Dave