Harold Clifford Brown

Dr. Brown was born in Cape Girardeau, Missouri on January 15, 1944, to Commander Harold Clifford Brown, Sr., USN and Mary Alice Rorie Brown. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Duke University in 1965 and a doctorate in English literature from the University of Virginia in 1970, where his intellect and focus earned the respect of professors and peers alike. He then went on to teach as a professor throughout the United States and overseas, including Iran and Kuwait, as well as the states of Ohio, Kentucky, and Virginia. Following his academic career, Dr. Brown later retired from U.S. federal government service as a researcher at the U.S. International Trade Commission.

After retirement, Dr. Brown continued his intellectual pursuits, which included interests in art, music, literature, philosophy, history, and politics; collected fine antiques; and enjoyed hosting dinner parties for his friends and family. A lifelong Christian, in his later years he strengthened his Christian faith by joining the Eastern Orthodox Church, where he received his baptismal name of Patrick.

Dr. Brown was predeceased by his beloved maternal grandmother, Amy Galloway Rorie, and grandfather, Reverend Thomas Oliver Rorie, Jr.; his parents; and his younger brother, Dr. Thomas Glenn Brown. He is survived by his nieces, Dr. Amy Caruso Brown, 43, and Dr. Megan Glenn Brown, 41, and grand-nephew, Finn Thomas Caruso Brown, 12, all of New Hartford, New York, as well as several cousins, including Amy Roddy, 44, of Houston, Texas, and Megan Rorie Kidwell, 42, of Charlottesville, Virginia.

Dr. Brown will be deeply missed by family and friends.

Memorial services were held on Friday, January 10, 2025, at the Demaine Funeral Home in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia, and thereafter Dr. Brown was laid to rest next to his beloved father and mother at Rosewood-Kellum Funeral Home in Virginia Beach, Virginia.