Charleton D. “Chuck” Brown died peacefully and comfortably in his sleep on February 3, after a long illness. He was 85. He died as he wished-with his family present-in the home he built with his wife Martha on Almar in Pacific Palisades 57 years ago. Chuck was born in Sioux City, Iowa, on November 3, 1918 to Genevieve and Lyle Brown, and was raised in Kenosha, Wisconsin, along with his beloved sister Peggy. It was in Kenosha that Chuck met his childhood sweetheart and wife-to-be, Martha Lane. He was well-liked in Kenosha, and had many great boyhood friendships which continued throughout his life. As a young man, Chuck was a graceful, cat-like athlete who swam the breast stroke and butterfly competitively, enjoyed horseback riding, and excelled at golf. Throughout the Depression, he worked after school and weekends in order to help support his mother and sister. After joining the Army in 1941, he served as Captain, Field Artillery in Europe for four years. He was awarded the Bronze Star for valor and selfless action during intense artillery attack. Chuck married Martha in November 1942, and in 1945 the couple moved to California and settled in the Palisades, where they raised five children: Kathryn, Peter, Robert, Jessica and Thomas. Following in his father’s footsteps, Chuck supported his family through a long career in the automobile business until his retirement in 1997. Martha was named Citizen of the Year in 1990 for her years of service in the Palisades, including being an integral force in the successful effort to save the historic Business Block building, and for spearheading the creation of the Village Green on Sunset and Swarthmore at the site of a Standard gas station. Chuck’s world revolved around his family and dear friends, the house he loved, devotion to work, daily walks to the bluffs overlooking the ocean, parties with friends, barbecues, backyard croquet and backgammon. For a number of years, he was a regular at Mort’s Deli, where he enjoyed the companionship of good friends Saturday mornings. Chuck was a decent and honest man-a true gentleman-who imparted lasting values to his children and grandchildren. There were few people who met Chuck who did not walk away touched by his integrity, dignity, courteousness, good sense and humor. He was a consummate storyteller and was informally dubbed the “Garrison Keillor of Pacific Palisades.” After his wife of 58 years passed away in December 1999, Chuck dedicated much of his time to service organizations such as the Palisades Chamber of Commerce, the Optimist Club, St. Matthew’s Thrift Store, the Village Green and the Chamber-sponsored Palisades Auto Show. Perhaps most of all, Chuck was steadfast and dependable. He was always first to volunteer for any task. He never shirked responsibility and never let down those who relied upon him. Chuck “showed up.” Throughout the last year and a half of his life, Chuck never wavered in his vision of returning to good health. His quiet and steady courage in the face of his life-threatening illness is an inspiration to us all. He took life as it came, woke every morning with a smile on his face, and often stated “how fortunate I am to live each day with the love of family and friends surrounding me.” Chuck is survived by his five children, Kathryn Park Brown, Peter Chapman Brown, Robert Cooper Brown, Jessica Stratton Brown and Thomas Benton Brown, and his nine grandchildren, Joshua Buckner Cobb, Sarah Kathryn Clanton, Neal Hibbard, Gretchen Eva Keller, Samuel Quinn Brown, Thomas Benton Brown, Jr., Marissa Mosca, Michael Mosca and Suzanna deSanz Brown. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that contributions may be made to The Village Green, P.O. Box 14, Pacific Palisades, CA 90272.
This page is available to subscribers. Click here to sign in or get access.
