Dr. Leonard Brown, a long-time faculty member at Rutgers School of Social Work, passed away on April 21, 2023 at the Stonebridge at Montgomery retirement center. He was 95 years old.
Dr. Brown was a professor for over 30 years at the School, retiring in 1991. He was a resident of Kendall Park, NJ where he and his wife, Marilyn, resided for 31 years. She passed away in 1989. In her memory, he created the Marilyn Brown Memorial Fund, which from 1990-2000 funded service learning projects of middle and high school students in South Brunswick.
After serving a stint in the United States Army during World War II, Dr. Brown entered Syracuse University, completing a degree in 1951. To help fund his tuition costs, he sold men’s ties to his fellow undergraduates under the label “Leonard Ties of Syracuse University.” He completed a Master’s degree in 1953 from Western Reserve University and a Doctorate in Social Work from Columbia University in New York City in 1971.
His professional career began in Cleveland, Ohio and included a stint in Nashville, TN before settling at Rutgers School of Social Work in 1960. His area of expertise was group work and during his tenure he wrote an authoritative textbook on the subject.
Dr. Brown was a member of Anshe Emeth Synagogue in New Brunswick, NJ for over 40 years, where he taught and served in many leadership capacities.
In addition to being a lifelong tennis enthusiast (playing into his early 80s), Dr. Brown was an avid collage artist, poet, memoirist and a formidable Charades player.
He is survived by his four sons, Mark, Michael, Sam, and Stuart, their respective family members, ten grandchildren, four great grandchildren and his romantic partner of 18 years, Anne Hurwitt.
Dr. Brown will be interned beside his wife of 33 years in Mount Hebron Cemetery, Flushing, NY. In lieu of flowers, the family asks you to consider a contribution to the Spiritual Care fund in memory of Len at his home, Stonebridge at Montgomery. Please send donations payable to Springpoint Foundation: 4814 Outlook Drive, Suite 201 Wall Twp, NJ 07753 or online at https://springpointsl.org/foundation/donate/
