Galen K. Brown

Galen was born February 1, 1938 in Byron Center to Milo A. and Lucille M. Brewer Brown. He graduated from Byron Center Township Schools, Grand Rapids Junior College, Michigan State University, the University of California-Davis, and finally the Agricultural Engineering Department at Michigan State University with a Ph.D. in 1972. After earning a BS in Agricultural Engineering at MSU in 1961 he was employed by the Agricultural Research Service of the USDA. Galen retired from the ARS-USDA in 1995 and joined the Florida Department of Citrus as the Harvesting Program Administrator. He retired again in 2003, after cooperative work to develop commercially viable mechanical harvesting systems for processing citrus. Galen was an elected fellow of the American Society of Agricultural Engineers and has over 200 professional publications to his credit, has received several distinguished awards, and was recognized as a national and international expert in fruit and vegetable harvesting and post harvest handling. His cooperative work with undergraduate and graduate students, research technicians, inventors, manufacturers and grower associations has been very instrumental to the fruit and vegetable industry. A loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend will be missed by all.

He was preceded in death by his father Milo and brother Robert.

Galen is survived by his loving wife, Ann; mother, Lucille; brother, Jim; two daughters, Joscelyn Edward Timm, Teri Rick Martens and two grandchildren, Britini Zacca and Ricky Martens; mother and father-in-law, Eugene and Juanita Irwin; brothers-in-law, Craig Karen Irwin, Brent Irene Irwin and Daren Irwin. Also surviving are numerous nieces and nephews.

The family will be celebrating Galen’s life at a Memorial Service at 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 11th at the Byron Center United Methodist Church, 2490 Prescott SW in Byron Center.

In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to Michigan State University, Galen K. Brown Endowment Fund, University Development, 4700 S. Hagadorn, Suite 220, East Lansing, Michigan 48823.

Funeral Service June 11, 2005 11:00 AM Byron Center United Methodist Church 2490 Prescott Byron Center, MI (616) 878-1618

Funeral Home Service Cook Funeral Home, Inc. - Byron Center Chapel 2067 84th St. SW Byron Center, MI 616-878--9744