Leo DeGress Brown

Leo D. Brown, our beloved husband, father, grandfather, uncle, and friend, passed away on Wednesday, March 26, at his home in La Jolla, California, after a battle against a rare and aggressive form of colon cancer.

Leo was born on July 22, 1948, to his parents Richard and Charlotte Brown, in Decatur, Illinois. Leo and his older brother Richard enjoyed building and setting off rockets in their backyard—a window into their shared love of and knack for science. He excelled at debate in high school and college, bringing home trophies from state and national competitions.

Leo carried his love of debate into his time at the University of Utah, where he studied chemistry, joined ROTC, and deepened his faith in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. After completing his Bachelors degree, he went on to obtain a PhD in Theoretical Chemistry from Harvard, where he met his wife, Marilyn Lee. The two married on August 31, 1971 in the Salt Lake Temple and had four sons by the time they left Boston in 1977.

Leo’s formal education culminated in a post-doctoral fellowship in Switzerland, and he went on to have a successful career at Bruker MRI Instruments, Cache Scientific, and GE NMR in Wheaton, Illinois, and Schrodinger Inc. in San Diego, California. While in Wheaton, the family welcomed two daughters and saw their children grow to adulthood. In San Diego, Marilyn and Leo enjoyed spending time together in the many recreational and cultural opportunities available. Their children and grandchildren, who now live all over the country, enjoyed visiting Leo and Marilyn at their home in La Jolla whenever possible.

Leo was dedicated to his faith, serving in numerous volunteer positions in his church, including thirteen years as a Temple Worker alongside Marilyn. In 2015, upon Leo’s retirement, the two were called to serve a two-year, Public Affairs-focused mission in Australia. While there, they lived in Sydney and Melbourne and visited Australia’s major cities as well as New Caledonia, New Zealand, and Fiji in their Public Affairs leadership role. After their mission, they served twice in the Copenhagen, Denmark Temple and enjoyed trips and cruises to Europe and South America.

Leo spent his adult life working for and serving his family. He was a loving and caring husband, father, and grandfather and is survived by his wife Marilyn, his six children and their spouses: John, Leo (Kristi), Benjamin (Elizabeth), Richard, Sarah Henrikson (Jason), and Marie, as well as 11 grandchildren. Leo and his wife cherished raising their family.

Leo is now reunited with his parents, Richard and Charlotte, his brother Richard, and other loved ones who predeceased him. In Leo’s last months, his family was able to care for him at home, which they all considered a privilege. His wisdom, gentle spirit, and listening ear will be greatly missed.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, the 12th of April at the Pacific Beach Ward chapel, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 5151 Fanuel Street, San Diego, CA 92109, at 2 p.m. A viewing will precede the funeral from 1-1:45. Interment at Memorial Mountain View Mortuary Cemetery in Salt Lake City.