Leonard Brown

Dr. Leonard Brown, a long-time faculty member at the Graduate School of Social Work at Rutgers University, passed away on April 21, 2023 at the Stonebridge at Montgomery retirement center. He was 95 years old.

Dr. Brown was a Professor for over 30 years at the school, retiring in 1991. He was a resident of Kendall Park, NJ where he and his wife, Marilyn, resided for 31 years. She passed away in 1989. In her memory, he created the Marilyn Brown Memorial Fund, which from 1990-2000 funded service learning projects of middle and high school students in South Brunswick.

After serving a stint in the United States Army during World War II, Dr. Brown entered Syracuse University, completing a degree in 1951. To help fund his tuition costs, he sold men’s ties to his fellow undergraduates under the label “Leonard Ties of Syracuse University.” He completed a Master’s degree in 1953 from Western Reserve University and a Doctorate in Social Work from Columbia University in New York City in 1971.

His professional career began in Cleveland, Ohio and included a stint in Nashville, TN before settling at the Graduate School of Social Work in 1960. His area of expertise was Group Work and during his tenure he wrote an authoritative textbook on the subject.

Dr. Brown was a member of Anshe Emeth Synagogue in New Brunswick, NJ for over 40 years, where he taught and served in many leadership capacities.

In addition to being a lifelong tennis enthusiast (playing into his early 80’s), Dr. Brown was an avid collage artist, poet, memoirist and a formidable Charades player.

He is survived by his four sons, Mark, Michael, Sam, and Stuart, their respective family members, ten grandchildren, and his partner of 17 years, Anne Hurwitt.

Dr. Brown will be interned beside his wife of 33 years in Mount Hebron Cemetery, Flushing, NY.

A funeral service for Leonard will be held Tuesday, April 25, 2023 from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM at Sinai Chapels, 114-03 Queens Blvd, Forest Hills, NY 11375. Following the funeral service will be a committal service from 1:15 PM to 2:00 PM at Mount Hebron Cemetery, 130-04 Horace Harding Expressway, Flushing, NY 11367.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks you to consider a contribution to the Spiritual Care fund in memory of Len at his home, Stonebridge at Montgomery.

Please send donations payable to

Springpoint Foundation

4814 Outlook Drive, Suite 201

Wall Twp, NJ 07753

or online at https://springpointsl.org/foundation/donate