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A Lifetime Of Community Service

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By GEORGE H. NEWMAN

gnewman@tampatrib.com

Published: October 22, 2008

PLANT CITY - Former city Commissioner Robert P. Brown was remembered last week by friends, family and colleagues as a leader who had a lifetime of community service.

But some of those close to him also say he was a complex man whose legacy may have been clouded by a highly publicized apology to his longtime wife for an affair. He ultimately left her for the other woman.

Brown, 49, died Oct 12 at his Plant City home after a reoccurrence of cancer, with his newlywed wife and her sister by his side.

Brown was first diagnosed in February 2006 with a choroidal melanoma, a very rare form of eye cancer, and his left eye and optic nerve were removed. Cancer was again discovered in April, and he was told by his physicians that his death was imminent, his family said.

Brown enjoyed successes as a community leader and commissioner. But he got his biggest wave of publicity in July 2007, when he publicly confessed at a city commission meeting to an extramarital affair and apologized to his wife of almost 27 years, Wendy.

He kissed his wife, who was in the audience, and presented her roses.

Brown's apology in such a public forum made newspapers from Miami to San Francisco.

But the couple later divorced, and Brown last month married his high school sweetheart, the former Judy Miles Traugott.

Brown, who didn't seek a second three-year term on the city commission, was recalled by many as a leader who should be remembered for his life work.

He had a 23-year career with Sunshine State Federal Savings and Loan, where he was executive vice president and chief financial officer. He held such positions of prominence as chairman of the Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce.

"I have known Robert for many years through his work at Sunshine State Federal Savings and Loan and through his work with the chamber of commerce," city Commissioner Mike Sparkman said.

"As a commissioner, Robert was very thorough. He researched the commission's business and asked the important financial questions," Sparkman said.

"He was superintelligent, but he struggled to convey that to people that he didn't know," he said.

Hal Brewer, a retired physician who knew Brown for many years, called him an altruistic person.

"For as long as I have known Robert, he has constantly done things to help other people," Brewer said. "He worked as a volunteer to help people, causes, charitable organizations and benefits. He never appeared to do any of it for his own gain, but I think from the goodness of his own heart."

"Robert always had a smile on his face," Brewer said. "Even during his illness, he still smiled and tried to make light of his situation."

Jim McDaniel, the city's community development director and fellow Kiwanis Club member, recalled him for his sense of humor and attention to details.

"Robert was a fun-loving person. But he was always very serious about business," McDaniel said. "If the club was going to submit anything to a government body, Robert would be the one to make sure we dotted all the i's and crossed all the t's before it would be submitted."

Judy Brown said her husband was an intelligent and religious man who loved people.

"He could make people smile. He was a dedicated public servant. He was much loved and will be missed by many. His desire was to meet Jesus at the gates to heaven and be told: 'Well done, my good and faithful servant.'

"People might not understand, but I believe it is through God's will that all of this has taken place."

Brown's son, Andy, 25, however, claimed his father turned his back on his family in recent years.

"He was one person outside and a totally different person inside the home," Brown said. "He put on a public face. It was like night and day."

Wendy Brown said she was devastated by his loss but said he was "not the same man that we have known and loved all these years."

John Dicks, a former city commissioner and mayor, said despite what has transpired during the past year, he feels confident that Brown loved his ex-wife and children.

"That family has gone through some terrible times of late," Dicks said. "But I am certain Robert loved and was proud of them all. He was especially proud when his son was honored as an Eagle Scout some years ago."

Wendy and Robert Brown were divorced Aug. 27. He remarried Sept. 21 in the chapel at South Florida Baptist Hospital. The Rev. Ron Churchill, senior pastor at First Baptist Church of Plant City, performed the ceremony.

"Robert was a longtime member at our church," Churchill said. "He and his family were very active in charitable functions at First Baptist. Robert was on many of our church committees and volunteered his time and skills wherever he was needed.

"I had, of course, talked with Robert quite often during the past year," Churchill said. "With his recent divorce and my understanding of his beliefs, there was no reason for me not to grant his wish for me to officiate at his wedding.

"His death was tragic. To have someone so young, in the prime of his professional life, to face death is so overwhelming."

Judy Brown said she dated Robert throughout their high school years at Sarasota High. They have been living in a Park Road condominium since January.

"Following the divorce, we had planned an October wedding," Judy Brown said. "But his condition worsened, and Robert wanted to move it up to late September. When he was hospitalized the last time and his condition worsened, we moved it up again."

The couple asked Churchill to perform the ceremony in the hospital chapel as soon as Brown was discharged.

"The best way to humor Robert was to do what he wanted you to do," Judy Brown said. "When Robert's cancer returned he told me that I didn't have to see this through. But we were living together and we were in love. I had committed myself to him. I told him that I felt God put me in his life for a reason. And that I would see him through this, no matter what."

ROBERT P. BROWN

BORN: April 8, 1959, in Washington, D.C.

DIED: Oct. 12, 2008, in Plant City

OCCUPATION: Executive vice president and chief financial officer at Sunshine State Federal Savings and Loan; former city commissioner
CIVIC: Secretary and treasurer of the South Florida Baptist Hospital Foundation board, co-chairman of the Boys & Girls Club of Plant City, former district vice chairman of the Boy Scouts, founding member of the Children' s Board of Hillsborough County, former chairman of the Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce, and member and leader in many other organizations

CHURCH: First Baptist Church of Plant City

SURVIVORS: Wife, Judy Miles Brown; father, Warren Robert Brown, and stepmother, Florence Brown; son, Andrew Paul; daughter, Pamela Suzette Barrett; stepsons, Richard Matthew Traugott and James Arthur Traugott; stepdaughter, Katherine Marie Adams; brother, Daniel; sisters Linda Goddard, Judy Mullen and Nancy Babin; and two grandchildren

FUNERAL HOME: Wells Memorial Funeral Home, Plant City, was in charge of arrangements.

To view a Robert Brown photo gallery and add your thoughts to his guest book, go to Plantcity .tbo.com, Keyword: Robert Brown. Reporter George H. Newman can be reached at (813) 865-4451.

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