Of Lake Forest and Santa Barbara, a remarkable man who led a long and full life, died at home in Lake Forest on Thursday, March 7th with his wife Jean and family at his side. Born in Chicago on Sept 29, 1914, he was the eldest son of George F. and Irene (nee Larmon) Brown. Cameron graduated from New Trier High School and the University of Illinois, where he was president of the Student Senate and a member of the Psi Upsilon fraternity.
He was commissioned a 2nd lieutenant in the US Army in 1939 and became a reserve officer in the Quartermaster Corps. Called to active duty in late 1940, after several assignments in Washington, he was advanced in rank to Major and sent overseas to Egypt in 1943, serving with United States Forces in the Middle East. In early 1944 Cameron transferred to the European Theater of Operations in London and took charge of the Supply Branch of the Quartermaster Corps, where he organized supplies for the allied invasion of Europe. After D-Day he was stationed in Paris, where he continued to supply the allied war effort.
He retired from the army after the war with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Returning to civilian life, Cameron joined his father’s company and expanded the business into reinsurance through an association with Lloyd’s of London. A leader in the reinsurance industry, Mr. Brown served on the board of the National Association of Independent Insurers for many years, was head of Lloyd’s Brokers Assn. in the US, and was also an underwriter at Lloyd’s.
One of Cameron’s great contributions was his philanthropic service. He often said that the most important public service he gave was as President of Planned Parenthood of Chicago and later on its national board. After retirement he was on the board of the MS Society and also contributed time to other charities. An avid golfer, he was a member of the Valley Club and Birnam Wood Golf Club, as well as The Royal and Ancient Golf Club in St. Andrews, Scotland.
Cameron was a wine connoisseur, active in several wine tasting groups. He was founder of the Commanderie de Bordeaux chapters in Chicago and Santa Barbara and an Officier Commandeur of the Chevaliers de Tastevin in Chicago. But above all Cameron loved to travel. During his long life he visited over 200 countries and territories, travelling around the world over seven times.
He is survived by his wife Jean, their daughter Sophie Twichell of Lake Bluff, daughter Debrah Berger of Dallas, and son Reid Brown of Sammamish, WA, and stepdaughters Phyllis W. Gotsis of Phoenix, Leila W. Adamoski of Chicago and Paula Werlein Jurisson of Grayslake. A celebration of his life will be held at Shoreacres Club, Lake Bluff, on Thursday March 14th at 11:00 AM, with reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Planned Parenthood of Illinois, 18 S. Michigan Ave, 6thfloor, Chicago, IL 60603, or Lake Forest Open Lands, 350 N. Waukegan Rd, Lake Forest, IL 60045.
