In Memoriam: MACA VP Bob Brown

Submitted by Al Nicolai on Wed, 12/19/2012 - 1:24pm

It is with great sadness that we forward the news of the recent passing of MACA vice-president Bob Brown, longtime member of the coaching staff at Richland High School. Bob had maintained his strong connections to our activity despite a series of strokes over the last several months. In the words of Bill Luce, the dean of Missouri academic competition, "Bob was very dedicated to Scholar Bowl and he will be missed."

Bob volunteered to step into the vice-presidency of MACA in 2010 when a mid-term resignation left a vacuum, and subsequently agreed to serve another full term in that position. He performed capably in the tasks of procuring and distributing All-District and All-State medals, one of the most valuable services our organization provides.

At the September 2012 annual meeting of the Missouri Academic Coaches Association, Bob received recognition in the form of the Carol Farmer Founders Award, given annually in appreciation of outstanding contributions to quizbowl competition in Missouri. Another coach said, "He seemed genuinely surprised and honored, and joked about being 'the first assistant coach ever to win' the award."

Bob was outspoken in his beliefs about the conduct and future of our activities, and he was always in the middle of hot-topic discussions at the annual meeting. Whether the topic was game format, rules issues, question providers, or respect for decorum in competition, Bob spoke forthrightly and frankly. And while the discussions sometimes got heated, all agreed that the end goal was always the same: the welfare and betterment of our activity.

The officers and members of our association will miss Bob Brown and his enthusiasm and his many contributions. When Bob joined in quizbowl discussion forums at MOQBA and other sites--he never got enough of discussing the activity--he signed in simply as "Coach Brown." That is how he wanted to be known, and how we will remember him. Thanks, and so long, Coach Brown.

(Notes and condolences can be sent to Bob's father, James Brown, at 2092 King James Drive, Lebanon, MO 65536.