Bert Wensel Brown

Bert Wensel Brown “never met a man he didn’t like.” Bert, age 74, went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, July 21, 2015 after a long, difficult battle with cancer. Born in New York City, Bert grew up in NY, DC, CA, and VA. He graduated from Wilson Memorial High School in Fishersville, VA and attended the University of Virginia. He was the owner and operator of Jefferson Engineering Company in DC and was an editor and publisher in St. Petersburg, FL. Bert was a gentle and caring man. He moved from DC to Charlottesville, VA in 2003 to be closer to his parents, in order to better care for his former wife, Willa Brown, MD, who was suffering from dementia. He lovingly cared for her for over ten years until her death. He was greatly assisted in this task by one of the local Alzheimer’s Support Groups and built many meaningful friendships, which have lasted over many years. Bert then married Sara Bloxom Dickinson and they were blessed with four wonderful years of marriage, for which they were truly thankful. They entered marriage knowing of Bert’s stage IV cancer, and met this challenge head-on with united hearts and bonds of faith. Bert’s strong faith was greatly tested in the furnace of affliction, under the scourge of this illness, but never wavered. They look forward to being reunited in God’s timing. Bert maintained a life of continual learning. He had vast interests in the arts, especially classical music and opera, as well as science, human relationships, politics, foreign policy, the news and more. He championed humanitarian interests and genuinely loved his “fellow human beings.” He was quick to love and quick to forgive. He was a life-long supporter of nuclear disarmament, world peace, the abolishment of the death penalty and women’s rights. His single, greatest desire was that all people should have a decent chance to build productive, safe and happy lives. Our family is grateful for the compassionate care of the Legacy Hospice team over the last months of Bert’s Homeward journey, and in particular for our Legacy nurse, Bridget Floyd. We are also greatly indebted to Bert’s primary care giver, Rhonda Westfall, for her loving assistance and support to both Bert and Sara. Bert is survived by four siblings: Olinda Simon of Bronxville, NY and her family; David Wensel of Gordonsville, VA and his family; Pam Klein of Scranton, PA and her family ; and Ted Wensel, Phd, of Houston, TX and his family. Bert is also survived by two step-sons from a previous marriage: Scott Brodsky of London, England and Michael Brodsky of Cheshire,CT; as well as by Sara’s daughter, Jenny Dickinson, of San Francisco, CA and her husband; and son , Jonathan Dickinson, of Charlottesville, VA and his family. Bert was preceded in death by his father, Randal Elliott, PhD; his mother Louise Elliott Wensel, Fernbach, MD; his stepfathers , Henry Wensel and Alfred Fernbach, PhD; and Willa Brown, MD , his beloved wife of thirty years. A private family service is planned. Memorial contributions may be sent to CWVA Alzheimer’s Association at 1160 Pepsi Place, Suite 306, Charlottesville, VA 22901.