David Francis Brown passed away peacefully August 13, 2012. He was born in Seattle to Lois Ohrner Brown and David Treadwell Brown on July 22, 1935. The family moved to Yakima when David was 7 and he was educated through the Yakima Schools including Yakima Valley College. He earned a BS degree in Chemistry from New Mexico School of Mines and a MS degree from WSU in Organic Chemistry.

He met his wife of 49 years, Virginia, when they were both teaching at Yakima Valley College. They were soul mates and did everything together including backpacking for 150 miles in Glacier, Waterton and Yellowstone National Parks on their honeymoon (sole mates?).

David earned a PhD in Plant Nutrition and Biochemistry from Utah State University and moved his family with two young sons, David and Mark, to New Orleans to begin a 20 year career with the US Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service.

His third son, Paul, was born in New Orleans. In 1980, David obtained a transfer to the USDA Research Station in Yakima where his parents still were living. After retiring he joined the faculty at Heritage College where he taught chemistry and mathematics. He found his true talent and passion in tutoring students in math and chemistry. He had the ability to continue to present the material in different ways until the student “got it.” He also obtained a secondary teaching certificate and was a substitute teacher after leaving Heritage College.

The family spent many wonderful hours involved in skiing, hiking, backpacking, soccer, baseball, camping, bicycle touring and other activities. After retiring from USDA David had enough free time that he volunteered with Habitat for Humanity locally and traveled to many countries working on Habitat and missionary projects. Altogether he spent time in 31 different countries. He did his best to make friends wherever he went. In 2000 David and Virginia retired to Coupeville where they both were active in the Coupeville United Methodist Church, Coupeville Garden Club and Habitat for Humanity. They made two trips a year to work on international projects in China, Malaysia, Fiji, Ecuador, Chile and other countries until the last 2 years. At that time the heavy work was too much so they took organized international tours including Cuba, Honduras, Guatemala, Belize and the Panama Canal.

David is survived by his wife, Virginia; three sons and their families, David Scott, wife Shirlene and daughters Kendra and Amanda, Mark Josef, wife Kristi and daughters Ashly and Abby and Paul Bradley and wife Olive; by his cousins, John Sprowl and wife Suzie, Doug King, Rick Raschick and wife Sally, and Mike Raschick; and all of their families and many wonderful friends.

A Celebration of David’s Life will be held Sunday, Aug. 26, at 1:00 pm at the Coupeville United Methodist Church. A light lunch will follow at the church. If family and friends wish to honor David, donations may be made in his name to Coupeville United Methodist Church, Coupeville Garden Club, Habitat for Humanity of Island County or a charity of the donor’s choice.