Walter Lee Brown

Walter Lee Brown, 89, passed away peacefully near his Fayetteville home, surrounded by the love of family, on Friday, Jan. 17, 2014. Walter Lee was the son of Frank J. and Alice Berry Brown of Coryell County, Texas, and was one of seven children. He served proudly in World War II in the U.S. Army Air Corps, and returned to pursue his scholarship, earning a PhD at the University of Texas. After a life long teaching career at the University of Arkansas, Walter and his wife retired to a small farm in Fayetteville. Walter is survived by his wife of 63 years, Jane Richart Brown; his two sons, Michael M. Brown (Sarah) and Phillip R. Brown (Chris); and seven beloved grandchildren. Professor Brown was an esteemed member of University of Arkansas history faculty from 1954-1990 in the J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences. Known for his inspired teaching, he instilled in his students a love of learning that lasted far beyond the time they spent on campus. Professor Brown also secured the university's reputation as the state's flagship institution for Arkansas studies. For more than 30 years, Walter Lee Brown promoted the study of Arkansas history as a professor, as editor of the Arkansas Historical Quarterly from 1958 to 1990, and as secretary-treasurer of the Arkansas Historical Association from 1990 to 1995. Under his leadership the Quarterly published some of the earliest scholarship on Arkansas' African-American and civil rights history. A respected scholar and author of many journal articles and periodic publications, Dr. Brown also wrote the definitive biography of Albert Pike (A Life Of Albert Pike), a colorful figure of central importance to the politics and culture of antebellum and Civil War-era Arkansas. In addition, Professor Brown wrote and published several editions of Our Arkansas, the recognized Arkansas history textbook used for instruction in Arkansas Public Schools for many years. Walter was proud to be a 33rd Degree Mason. A life-long outdoorsman and avid gardener, in retirement Walter and his wife Jane enjoyed common interests of keeping up a small farm and raising collie dogs together. A Memorial service will take place at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2014, at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 224 N. East Street in Fayetteville. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to the Walter Lee Brown Scottish Rite Scholarship in History at the University of Arkansas. Arrangements are with Benton County Memorial Park Funeral Home of Rogers.