Bruce Brown

Bruce Brown, 76, of McLean, Virginia passed away on May 18, 2025 at Virginia Hospital Center in Arlington, Va. He was born in Washington, DC to Fred Brown and Jo Weber Brown, deceased. His brother Robert (Bob) Brown is also deceased. He is survived by his high school sweetheart and wife of 53 years, Barbara Thompson Brown. He also leaves behind sisters-in-law Betsy Thompson Crump, Brenda Thompson Davis and Janice Priode Brown; three nieces, Shannon Brown, Kimberly Manly Gardiner, and Jennifer Alexander Leland; four nephews, Michael Brown, Darren Brown, Mark Manly and Michael Alexander in addition to a number of great nieces and nephews and extended family members Donald and Mary Beth Manly. Not blessed with children of their own, Bruce and Barbara have enjoyed close relationships with all their nieces and nephews and loved ones.

Those closest to him know he had many physical and medical challenges over the span of his life, but metastatic prostate cancer and other complications eventually lead to his death. Bruce often said ‘if he didn’t have bad luck he wouldn’t have any luck at all.’ Nonetheless, he was a positive and optimistic person and had a great sense of humor. In his early years, Bruce attended Page elementary, Stratford and Kenmore middle schools, and Washington-Lee high school. Many of his lifelong friendships were formed in those early years. He attended Catawba College in North Carolina but transferred to and graduated from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (VPI). He and a close friend, Baxter Smith, bought a Winnebago and toured the US and Mexico for most of a year. For a period of time after traveling he spent some time driving an 18-wheel truck delivering fuel for Texaco and for his brother’s fuel oil company in Winchester.

He and Barbara married on Derby Day, May 5, 1973, the year Secretariat won the Triple Crown. They became big fans of the Triple Crown races and Secretariat and went every year to the Preakness and several times to the Kentucky Derby and the Belmont in New York. Bruce loved special events like this and admired horses as athletes. He also loved dogs, especially hounds and in particular his beloved dachshunds Raisin and Ike. Bruce enrolled in law school and obtained a Juris Doctor (JD) degree from The Catholic University School of Law. While in law school, he was in a serious auto accident and almost lost his legs due to the injuries he suffered. It was a challenge but he graduated with his class on time. Upon graduating, he carried on a private law practice during which he provided various legal services to individual clients, many of whom are close friends today. His long legal career continued with 18 years at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce as Assistant General Counsel and 21 years at the Edison Electric Institute as Deputy General Counsel, retiring in 2018.

Bruce had many serious health issues which did not, however, slow him down. Barbara and Bruce traveled frequently in the U.S. and overseas to ski, visit friends and explore National Parks. Bruce was an expert on all things Arlington and Washington. He liked to act as tour and travel guide, he knew all the hot spots, eateries, restaurants, back alleys and shortcuts. He loved advising and giving recommendations on restaurants and places to stay and see. He loved all sports but especially baseball. He played in little league, in High School and then softball as an adult, even after the early auto accident. One of Bruce’s great delights for more than 10 years was holding down the corner playing 3rd base in the Congressional co-ed softball league with the many times champion team, “The Penetrators.” He was an avid Redskins/Commanders fan and went to all the games until recently. He was a researcher. He researched everything ad nauseam. Boy, did he love Google!

Bruce was a fighter, never-give-up-kind of guy. He was brave, very stoic and motivated to get through life’s toughest challenges. He endured those challenges until he just couldn’t anymore. He was a loyal and caring friend and a loving, sentimental and supportive husband. His legacy will live on in our hearts.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Prostate Cancer Foundation in the name of Bruce Brown at either the website – PCF.org or mailed to 1250 4th street, Suite 360, Santa Monica, CA 90401