Remembering Bernie Brown

Some weeks back, our neighbor Bernie Brown passed away. Liz and I have known the Browns for a long while now, as they were the very first people who welcomed us when we first moved in.

The Browns have a long history in Hyde Park, and to me are iconic staples of the community, the neighborhood, and our block.

There was a memorial service at Rockefeller Chapel, where Bernie served as the chapel’s fourth Dean (from 1979 – 1995).

The memorial program.

Of note, there was a lovely obituary from UChicago about Bernie’s life.

I had never been inside the chapel before, and was absolutely floored on walking in. I had to refrain from taking photos when we arrived, as it seemed inappropriate. But I simply wasn’t prepared for the size and space of the chapel.

During the service, I learned that Bernie encountered Rockefeller Chapel when he was seventeen years old, hitchhiking from North Dakota to Michigan for a summer job. The sight of the chapel left “an indelible mark” on him, and he returned to the University of Chicago to study… and to eventually serve as the chapel’s Dean, many years later.

The music during the service was exceptional. I tried to record a bit of the choir singing, but it didn’t quite turn out. As visually stunning as the space is to the eyes, it becomes even more awe-inspiring when the air was filled with music.

During Bernie’s tenure, there were several periods of construction that took place. We heard from family members that the ceiling had been black (from soot). And when a tile fell down, prompting repair… the ceiling was cleaned and a remarkable amount of detail, previously hidden, was restored and re-revealed.

A truly amazing space, and the whole night… I could understand why the chapel influenced Bernie so.

While Liz and I know of Bernie as our neighbor, tonight we were able to learn more about his life, his faith and ministry work, his love of music, and the impact he had on so many people.

There were a tremendous number of people in attendance, tonight: friends, neighbors, colleagues, and loved ones all gathered to remember him and his life. Much as the chapel left an indelible mark on him as a young man, we listened to stories about how Bernie left his own indelible mark on others.

Related:
Belated Birthday Cake
Surprise Pie
Dinner with Bernie and Carol Jean
First Home, First Day