Robert F. Brown, Jr. died on May 20, 2025 in Richmond, VA, brining to a close a long and love-filled life.
Bob was born in and lived the first two thirds of his life in Philadelphia and its suburbs. He graduated from Lower Merion High School in 1954 and went on to attend Princeton University where he majored in architecture, was, captain of the track team, a member of Cannon Club and made lifelong friends. After graduating in 1958, Bob stayed on at Princeton, studying for his MFA in architecture, which he received in 1960.
Bob married Mary Lou Brinckerhoff in 1960, beginning almost 65 years of marriage. They went on to have four wonderful children, (Robert) Sanborn, Julie, Elizabeth (Lisy), and Chris, settling in Philadelphia in 1964. One has only to look at photographs of the Brown family to see how much Bob loved and took pride in his children. All his children learned from him was the value of loyalty - to friends, family, school, community.
As an architect and urban designer, Bob believed in creating walkable, livable communities, built at a human scale which is embodied in both his professional work and his community service, first has head of the Land Use Planning Committee of the Chestnut Hill (Philadelphia) Community Association, and then, as chair of the Ashland, Virginia Planning Board.
Bob joined the architectural firm of GBQC in Philadelphia, eventually becoming a partner. Initially only working as an architect, Bob became more and more interested in urban design and eventually worked on the waterfront plans for Hartford, CT and Hoboken, NJ, and Liberty State Park in New Jersey. Bob was named a Fellow of the American Institute Architects in 1991. He and his protege at GBQC, Mark Keener, later formed their own urban design firm, Brown and Keener, and continued this work, focusing on town growth and the preservation of farmland. In addition, Bob taught graduate urban design at the University of Pennsylvania for ten years.
Bob and Mary Lou relocated to Ashland, VA in 1998 to be closer to her sister. They spent 24 wonderful years there, making new friends and throwing themselves into community affairs. In addition to the Planning Commission, Bob served on Ashland Main Streets board. Reluctantly, when their health required it, Bob and Mary Lou moved to Westminster Canterbury in Richmond.
Everyone who knew Bob loved him, his stylish bow ties and his loyalty to family and friends. In recent years he especially treasured the loyalty and support of their Ashland friends, who took him to doctors’ visits, picked him up to go to book club and discussion group meetings.
Bob is survived by Mary Lou, his adult children, their beloved spouses, and 8 amazing grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Chestnut Hill Conservancy.
