"So sorry to hear this news. Both Bernie and JoAnn were great friends to my parents. The Bergren family sends our thoughts and prayers. "
In loving memory of
Bernard Brown
April 29, 1934 - January 27, 2022
Bernard Brown, 87, of Ames, passed away January 27, 2022 in his home.
Bernie was born April 29, 1934 in Devils Lake, ND. He was the son of Edward and Mabel Brown. He attended elementary and secondary school in Stanley, ND. He was a civil engineering graduate of North Dakota State University in 1956. On December 27, 1960, he married JoAnn Rowe in Stanley. They lived in Ames, Iowa from the time of their marriage.
Bernie was employed as an engineer by the Iowa Department of Transportation for 40 years, retiring in 1996. He held positions in state and national organizations including The Transportation Research Board, the Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, and The Society of Testing and Materials.
As a dad, Bernie enjoyed coaching Little League teams and playing driveway basketball on summer nights. Over the years he spent time golfing, fishing, gardening, and teaching grandkids all kinds of board games and card games. He had a great sense of humor and got a chuckle out of almost everything. He had a way of making a short story long which kept us all entertained.
Bernie enjoyed his final years living at Northridge Village where he made many good friends.
He is survived by his four children Greg (Marion) Brown, Sally (Mike) Hamilton, Karen (Rick) Weires, and Mike (Tina) Brown. He is also survived by grandchildren Chris (Tricia) Brown, Aly Brown, Lindsay Hamilton, Katie Hamilton, Natalie Weires, Becca Weires, Andrea Weires, Colin Brown, Ryan Brown, and his brother Bill Brown of Mesa, AZ.
He was preceded in death by his parents and loving wife, JoAnn.
Family members will hold a memorial service in Stanley, ND at a later date.
Tributes
"So sorry for you loss. Thoughts and prayers for the family. Carol J Rowe"
"With sympathy and prayers for all the Brown family."
" So sorry for the loss of your dad. It's so hard to lose a parent. As great is the heartache now, greater still will be our joy to see all our families and friends for a heavenly forever reunion. May you grieve with hope. As time passes, may your memories of your dad bring more smiles than tears. Kathy (Smithson) Vannoy"
"So sorry to learn Bernie died this week. The Smithson family grew up with the Brown family. Bernie and I frequently walked to work together. We were both civil engineers and had much in common to discuss. Bernie was office director for materials and I was director for maintenance. We lived in house on a double lot so the neighborhood kids frequently gathered at our house to play softball or croquet. Every 4th of July our families would gather at the neighborhood picnic. I am all sure all kids remember those good times. Good friends create good memories. Lee Smithson "
"Having known Sally, Mike, and their dear daughters, we can get a sense of the wonderful man your father and grandfather must have been. Sally and I shared stories of the sincerity of a loving father caring for their forever bride, and showing the world the kind of love that is eternal. While we can feel joy in reuniting your parents/grandparents, it still tugs at our hearts to give our earthly goodbyes. Please know that we are circling you in our prayers and thoughts."
"To Bernie?s kids and grandkids, I knew your dad from the DOT meeting him in the hallways as I was busy using the Xerox copier as he walked from one end of the building to the other. He always had that big smile on his face and was so friendly to talk to. My heartfelt sympathies to each of you on the loss of your beloved dad/granddad. May God comfort you all now And in the days, months, and years to come."