Robert M. Browne ’71

Robby died April 11, 2020, from COVID-19 after living with multiple myeloma. He was a vibrant, accomplished, and unique classmate. 

Robby came to Princeton from Andover and Louisville, Ky. He majored in art history, did community tutoring, and lived with fellow officers Harrity, McLean, Montgomery, Hawley, and Steele at Cap and Gown. Robby operated a successful student travel agency for several years, hiring many fellow Princetonians as tour leaders.  

Always exuberantly adventurous, Robbie explored multiple careers — medical school in Grenada, teaching in Japan, a Harvard MBA in 1978 — before settling on his true professional calling: selling real estate on the Upper West Side of New York City in 1990. His clients were the rich and famous, like Patti Davis, Hilary Swank, and Bon Jovi. Robby won awards for deal and broker of the year and was famous for his interpersonal skills, fairness, and riding his bike to property showings.  

He donated time and financial support to many people and causes, including the Toys Party charity for 35 years and LGBTQ causes after coming out in the ’80s. Robby swam regularly and earned medals in diving at the Gay Games.  

Robby chaired our 20th reunion. He never met a party he didn’t like and rarely met a person he didn’t charm. The class extends its sympathies to his family and friends.