Remembering Neal Brown
July 23, 2021
It is with great sadness that the University of Alaska community recognizes the death of Neal Brown, a scientist and researcher who served the University of Alaska Fairbanks as a student, educator and researcher for more than 40 years.
Brown’s contributions to education and research at UAF cannot be overstated and the university community will mourn this loss but carry out his continued fascination with the study of the Aurora, earth’s atmosphere and space.
Brown graduated from Washington State University Pullman in 1961 and began working for NASA shortly thereafter. Before joining the University of Alaska Fairbanks a few years later, he researched the science behind vehicles reentering earth’s atmosphere.
Brown came to Fairbanks more than 50 years ago to study the Aurora Borealis.
He earned his master’s degree in geophysics from UAF in 1966. After working at the Geophysical Institute, he spent 18 years directing the Poker Flat Research Range.
He later led the UAF-based Alaska Space Grant Program, which focuses on teaching, research and education in aerospace and earth sciences. Brown was awarded an honorary doctorate from UAF in 1997 for his contributions to science communications.
The University of Alaska offers its deepest condolences to the Brown family in the wake of this loss.
If you or someone you know is struggling with this loss, please don’t struggle alone. Free help is available through the Employee Assistance Program. Please call 1-888-993-7650, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.