Floyd Leslie "Les" Brown

Floyd Leslie "Les" Brown, 98, formerly of Downers Grove, and Urbana, IL, gained eternal life on September 18, 2018 at the Gibson Family Hospice Center in Terre Haute, IN.   He was a registered Professional Engineer, and was retired from 26 years of service with Mechanical Contractors Association (MCA) of Chicago, where he served as Director of Engineering.   He was a 32 ^nd Degree Mason and was a member of Grove Lodge #824 for over 50 years.

Mr. Brown was born March 16, 1920, at Hillsboro, Illinois, the son of the late Rev. Fred and Margaret "Maggie" McFarlane Brown.   He married Evelyn "Ovie" Richards on December 15, 1942, in Charleston, Illinois. She preceded him in death on September 9, 2017.

He is survived by his sister, Maxine Brown Fitzjarrald of Arthur, IL; his nieces, Debbie McMillan Kleiss of Tuscola IL; Susi Hanner (Bruce) Willis of Paris, IL; Sue (Mike) Downes of St. Joseph, IL; and his nephews, Doug McMillan (Debra Hill) of Pueblo, CO; Bob (Jean) Browne of Martin, TN; Don (Chris) Richards of Grove, OK; Jim (Bev) Hanner of Jacksonville, FL; Mike (Mary) Richards of Powell, TN; Tom (Cindy) Richards of Austin, TX; and several great and great-great nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Lee Roy Browne, and Charlie Brown, as well as a beloved brother-in-law, Oland Hanner, sister-in-laws, Ann Hanner and Beth Richards; and family friend, Mary Tracy.

A 1940 graduate of Teacher's College High School in Charleston, IL, he attended Eastern Illinois University until April, 1942, when he was drafted to military service in World War II.   He served his country as an instructor in the fundamentals and techniques of instrument flying at the army air force base at Greenville, SC, achieving the rank of Sergeant, prior to his honorable discharge in November, 1945.

After military service, Mr. Brown attended the University of Illinois, where he was a research assistant for the Electron Research Group.   He graduated from U of I in 1950, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering.   Prior to joining Mechanical Contractors Association in 1962, he held administrative, sales, and application engineering positions with Meyer Furnace Company, National U.S. Radiator Company, and Hofmeister, Inc.

During his tenure with MCA, he earned local, state, and national recognition as a professional engineer.   Named a lifetime member of the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) in 1992, he received its Distinguished Service Award in 1986, and was named Fellow in 1985. He received the ASHRAE Region VI Award of Merit in 1983, and the Illinois Chapter Presidential Award in 1980.   He served as President of the Illinois Chapter of ASHRAE from 1975-1976. He earned numerous other professional awards, including the Governor's Citation for Advisory Committee Service, as well as Distinguished Service Awards from the Illinois Society of Professional Engineers (vice-president), the National Society of Professional Engineers (board of directors), and the Illinois Architects-Engineers Council (chairman). He was featured in the cover story of D E Journal-Contracting World magazine in September, 1972. He published a total of eight professional papers and four articles.

At the time he was named a Fellow in ASHRAE, Mr. Brown was one of only 130 people in the United States that the U.S. Chamber of Commerce considered an expert in building codes. He was the spokesperson for the Illinois Society of Professional Engineers in hearings on the development of an Illinois state building code, and ultimately helped draft the building codes for the state.   He was a certified OSHA instructor. After he retired from MCA in 1988, he remained active as a professional engineer for many years, through independent consulting and national speaking engagements.

He enjoyed Bible study, playing cards, and lifelong learning via Elderhostel.   He was a member of the Kickapoo Carvers Club and was an accomplished wood carver.   Over his lifetime, he wrote several prayers he called "Letters to My Lord," that were published in a book of that title in 2017.

The Browns' home became a gathering place for numerous neighborhood children wherever they lived, many of whom have remained in contact with them over the years.   He was a very special uncle and second father to his niece, Susi Hanner Willis.

Mr. Brown's devotion to his profession was exceeded only by his devotion to the love of his life, Evelyn. Throughout their 75 years of marriage, he wrote her many love letters and notes. He was her sole caregiver for many years, after she suffered a near-fatal brain aneurysm and later developed dementia.

Services celebrating the lives of Les & Evelyn Brown will be at Stewart & Carroll Funeral Home in Paris, IL, at 1:30 PM on Friday, October 5, followed by burial in Mound Cemetery in Charleston, IL. The family suggests that memorial contributions be made to The Gibson Family Hospice Center, or the Browns' favorite charities, The Oland Hanner Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus Scholarship Fund, or St. Jude's Children's Hospital, in care of the funeral home at 303 E Wood Street, Paris, IL 61944.