Author of five books on government, education, and professionalism, David died Dec. 1, 2020, in Denver after struggling with several health issues over the past few years.

Born in Evanston, Ill., and brother to Coleman Brown ’56, he attended Evanston Township High School and received a Princeton regional scholarship. Highly involved in our class, he majored in English with emphasis on drama; co-wrote two Triangle shows and served as Triangle president; chaired the Chapel Deacons; served on the Keycept Steering Committee; wrote a weekly column for the Prince; was undergraduate class treasurer and twice secretary; marched with ROTC; and chaired Cap & Gown’s bicker committee.

Following graduation he spent a year at University College in London, thence on to Harvard Law, where in Cambridge, he met and married (on Feb. 29, 1964, thus avoiding yearly anniversary celebrations) Alice Bean. Army service in West Germany followed, and then to New York City to serve as chief of staff to Congressman Ed Koch, followed by service as Gov. Hugh Carey’s chair of the New York State Investigation Commission, and then as deputy mayor under Koch. 

Leaving political life he began his “academic period,” first teaching at Yale Law School, then as president of Blackburn College, and later back to New York City, teaching public policy at the New School and serving with the nonpartisan Kettering Foundation until 2019.

Predeceased by his wife, Alice, in 2020, David is survived by his son, Peter, and his daughter, Sarah.

Undergraduate Class of 1959