DR. ROBERT W. BROWNE

Dr. Robert Browne, BA, DDS, MS (born November 12, 1924) is an American orthodontist, business leader, and philanthropist. He continues to focus on giving back including generous gifts to his own alma mater, the University of Michigan, DePauw University, Aquinas College, Grand Rapids, MI and in his hometown, Coldwater, Michigan.

Early Life

Dr. Browne was raised by his paternal grandparents. HIs early days were marked by how much grain was stacked, corn shucked, and acres plowed by a two horse team. For someone who made hard work and serving others his primary focus in life he could not have had a better upbringing.

The Great Depression taught Dr. Browne not to take anything for granted. As a child he worked picking potatoes for five cents a crate, ran errands for a clothier, delivered the local newspaper by bicycle, and worked at the local gas station. Despite the heavy workload Dr. Browne rarely missed a day of school.

Dr. Browne was a leader. His Coldwater High School classmates recognized this when they elected him Mayor of the student body. He enrolled at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. Before he could graduate he was called to serve his country. For Dr. Browne this entailed far more than being a pre-dental student in a V-12 or V-7 service program, which would keep him a safe distance from the theater of war. Instead, he went to the heart of the Pacific to fight for his country

World War II

Despite not having stepped foot in a plane, Dr. Browne took the Army Aviation Cadet Exam. It was the first of many many tests Dr. Browne would pass. After rigorous training-including pressure chamber testing, which simulated an altitude of 20,000 feet with no available oxygen-Dr. Browne was officially dispatched to Hollandia, New Guinea, then Leyte Island in the Philippines. He and the rest of the Army Air Corps 41st Squadron would hunker in foxholes to avoid enemy strafing and bombing.

To gain a strategic advantage, the United States desperately needed to enter the Bay of Manila to continue its northern push through the Philippines. Control over Corregidor Island was essential. Based on Leyte Island, Dr. Browne piloted the C-47 from which troops and supplies would be dropped on Corregidor. It was a mission many, including the Japanese believed to be impossible; planes dropping battalions of the 503rd Parachute Regimental Combat Team onto a tiny strip of land from the top side of the island.

In dense fog conditions, flying at an altitude of just 400 feet, Dr. Browne made multiple passes over the drop zone, dropping his men over their precarious target, a half dozen paratroopers at a time. With each pass the C-47 endured heavy enemy fire. For his bravery Dr. Browne, then a Second Lieutenant, was awarded the Army Air Corp Medal.

Education

Dr. Browne used the GI Bill to earn a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Michigan. It was there he met his future wife, Lynn, who was on campus training to become a dietician after graduating from DePauw University. After practicing general denistry for five years in Kalamazoo, Michigan Dr. Browne returned to the University of Michigan to earn an advanced degree in orthodontics.

Career

Dr. Browne practiced general dentistry and orthodontics in Kalamazoo and Grand Rapids, MI. Inspired by his maternal grandmothers's desire for a dignified senior living community, Dr. Browne and two partners formed the John Roberts Corporation in 1962.

Collectively named by John Stuit, Robert Richards, and Dr. Browne, the nursing home company expanded to include the Kiddie Care Corporation, an innovative "intergenerational" concept combining the care of children and seniors on the same campus still practiced today, fifty years later. In the years to follow the company acquired homes and home health care agencies in Massachussetts, Connecticut, Florida, and California. The delivery of care model, that produced high levels of quality care for patients, was advanced by Dr. Browne's vision, business acumen, and empathy to give back.

Dr. Browne and the Corporate Team took the company public in 1968, forming the Care Corporation. The entity operated three divisions as it grew over the ensuing 18 years; the divisions were nursing homes, recreation "centers" and home health care. The Care Corporaton was purchased by Owens Illinois in 1986. Dr. Browne commenting on the achievements one might have in a career humbly offers, "Success is never singularly achieved".

Philantrophy

According to Dr. Browne, "A sincere act of giving is far more gratifying to the giver than the recipient." * To date (November-2015) Dr. Browne has received much gratification for his efforts in the builidng of the Robert Browne Orthodontic Wing at the University of Michigan School of Dentistry, the Robert Browne Center at Aquinas College, the Robert Browne Atrium at Depauw University, the Kellogg Eye Center at the University of Michigan, and numerous educational institutions and charities throughout the State of Michigan.

In Coldwater, MI he is responsible for the Henry L. Browne Municipal Building, the revamped United Methodist Church, the Dr. Robert W. Browne Aquatic Center, and a project held in a special place in his heart, the $14 million Dr. Robert W. Browne Recreational Center.**

The Browne's also provided gifts to the University of Michigan athletic program, including the construction of Schembechler Hall, a 7 foot bronze statue of his good friend Bo Schembechler, the Varsity Tennis Center, and the restoration of the University of Michigan Golf Course.

Honors and Awards

World War II Air Medal for Courageous Service

The University of Michigan School of Dentistry Alumni Society Board of Governors

Distinguished Service Award (May 8, 1999) University of Michigan

The University of Michigan M club Honorary "M"

University of Michigan College of Literature, Science, and the Arts Advisory Committee Award

The University of Michigan Athletic Department Director's Circle Award

CEO of "One of Michigan's Best Managed Companies under $10 Billion" ***

Personal Life

Dr. Browne and his wife Lynn were married for 63 years before her death in 2013. Dr. Browne has four children; Cynthia, Diane, James, and Tom, who passed away in 2009 and six grandchildren.

Throughout his life Dr. Browne enjoyed pheasant hunting and was an avid, accomplished golfer. At the time of his best golf Dr. Browne was a seven handicap tallying five hole-in-ones. His golf partners included the President of the United States Gerald R. Ford, and University of Michigan head football coach Bo Schembechler.

Publications

Who Could Ask for Anything More? The Autobiography of Robert Browne (Ann Arbor Media Group, 2008)

References

* Who Could Ask for Anything More? The Autobiography of Robert Browne (Ann Arbor Media Group 2008)

** Watson, Sean "Browne Aquatic & Recreation Centers formally Dedicated", WTVB Coldwater: 29 May, 2015

*** The Detroit News, 1984

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