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Lieutenant <em>Colonel Norman Alan ‘Al’ Brown </em>was born in Cincinnati, OH to Norman Albert and Marion Graf Brown. He attended Millersburg Military Academy, KY, as well as public schools in Mariemont, OH, and was a 1965 graduate of Mariemont High School.</p>
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Norm found his heart’s home in the Hudson Valley, moving to Cold Spring, NY in 1998, where he lived until the time of his passing. He was a 1969 graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point and continued his Army career for 21 years, retiring in 1990 at the rank of lieutenant colonel. He was awarded the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, and Army Achievement Medal.</p>
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Norm’s first West Point roommate, Bob Molter, shared the following about him, then known as ‘Al’:</p>
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“The young man from Cincinnati came to West Point with an indomitable spirit and an infectious sense of humor. These traits helped carry him, and all those around him, through difficult times at the Academy. He never had an unkind word for anyone and was ready to help others in any way he could. These traits did not end upon graduation; they only got stronger. Always finding the good in others, trying to lift their spirits; Al was the kind of friend we all wish we had.”</p>
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Companymate Doug Fitzgerald shared that “the C-2 brothers, to a man, felt a large hole in our hearts with Al’s premature passing.” Vince Corica remarked, “Al was such a good man. There’s something about West Point classmates...despite years of not being in regular contact, we still deeply mourn the passing of a brother as if we ‘just saw him yesterday.’” Dave Barber, as close to Al at West Point as anyone, said, “The best person and roommate I had ever known.” Ben Watts summed it up for the companymates: “He was always an encouraging voice no matter what we were facing.”</p>
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His 1969 <em>Howitzer </em>entry is as follows:</p>
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“Al’s decision to become a professional soldier was a wise one indeed. His love for the out-of-doors, his enthusiasm, and his willingness to work hard all tend to point this fact out. Al came here with these attributes and, as with all good things, they have improved with time. More than anything else, his drive, ambition, and enthusiasm will be the road to Al’s success.” His cadet activities included the Dialectic Society, Protestant Sunday School, the Riding Club, and the Hunting Club.</p>
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Norm wrote the following in the C<em>lass of 1969 Legacy Book</em>:</p>
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“My first assignment was with the Field Artillery at Fort Riley, KS as XO of a 155 battery. Then to Vietnam commanding an Artillery battery with the 101 Airborne Division. After sending that unit home, I moved to 62nd Maintenance Battalion in Qui Nhon. While there I received my branch transfer to Engineers and went to Fort Belvoir, VA for the Advanced Course, then on to Germany with the 12th Engineer Battalion, commanding Company A. I later joined the G4, 8th Infantry Division. After grad school at RPI for a master’s degree in electrical power engineering, it was back to West Point to teach in the EE Department (yes, Juice!). After three years there, I went to the Naval War College and from there to SHAPE HQ, Belgium. Upon completing this overseas tour, my last assignment was professor of military science at the University of Arkansas.”</p>
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His second career began in 1990, working in construction management for Jacobs Engineering, retiring from there in 2013. While he managed large projects for Jacobs, he attended New York Theological Seminary at night and earned a Master of Divinity degree from NYTS in 2005. Norm was able to share his theological training with his classmates by preaching and presiding over the memorial service at their 45th reunion in 2014.</p>
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In retirement, Norm became active at West Point, participating in many events for his 50-year affiliation class, the USMA Class of 2019. He represented his class at welcome events for the incoming cadets and parent groups and participated in R-Day, March Back from Camp Buckner, and A-Day ceremonies for the Class of 2019. His class ring will be donated to the West Point Class Ring Memorial Program and included in the ring melt for the affiliation class, USMA 2019.</p>
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Norm had a wonderfully giving and loving heart and soul. He loved many things, but most of all he loved God, his family, and his church. He was a ruling elder of the First Presbyterian Church of Philipstown, NY, where he often taught the adult study group and preached. Norm was passionate about mission work, actively leading work groups to Habitat Newburgh, NY, Midnight Run in NYC, and Bridges to Community, Nicaragua.</p>
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He will be forever loved and missed by his wife, Lynn; his children, Norman Alan Brown Jr. (Ami) of Southport, NC and Rebekah (Steve) Czarnecki of Tujunga, CA; and the six grandchildren he adored: Norman Alan Brown III (Trey) and Ashley Brown of Wellington, New Zealand; and Lindalee, Autumn, Juliet, and Chase Czarnecki of Tujunga, CA. Norm also leaves his sister Barbara (Dennis) Gesse, of Greensboro, NC; nephews Kevin (Kathryn) Gesse and Darin (Sharon) Gesse; and grandnieces Eliza, Sara Kathryn, Megan, and Madi. He also leaves his “second parents,” Ede and Dickson Baldridge of Wilmington, NC, and the Baldridge Family.</p>
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Norm loved reading, travel, movies, and being with friends. He warmly shared his gift for hospitality over the years with a smile that lit up the room and with much joy and laughter.</p>
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<em>— Norman Alan Brown, Lynn Brown, and classmates</em></p>