Severn P. Brown

 In 2014 Severn Brown was the recipient of the John T. Boyd Challenge Award at the SME Foundation Gala.

Severn P. Brown, SME member since 1949, passed away in late 2019 in the 97th year of what he referred to as a "heck of a good run.” Severn was a Certified Professional Geologist living in New York and an active member of the SME Northeast Section into the early 2000’s.

Mr. Brown received his Degree in Geology from University of Rochester in 1943 and then served as an officer in the Army military police. He continued his education with graduate work at Columbia University from 1946-1950. After schooling, Severn worked for the USGS in Alaska then in Mexico before eventually landing in Gouverneur, NY to work as a mining geologist for the then St. Joseph lead company. 

He began a lifelong association with St. Lawrence University in 1957, serving as an Associate Professor of Geology for four years.  Leaving SLU, he and several partners founded the Dunn Geoscience Corporation in Latham, NY where he worked and served on the Board until his retirement in 1995. 

In retirement, he indulged his passion for travel, gardening and worked to advance the science of geology.  He continued to do his research on refolds, attending programs at PDAC every year through 2018 (at age 95) and even gave an impromptu structure lecture in his home just months before he passed away.

Upon his death, Severn became the third member of the SME Foundation Legacy Club with his generous bequest.

He was married to his wife Alita F. (Hunter) Brown for 41 years until her death.  He married Sarah (Sally) Street and they enjoyed 20+ years of marriage.  Once asked for a longevity tip, he quipped, "If nothing else, I know how to marry well."  Severn is survived by his wife, a son, and two beloved grandchildren.