Obituary for Dr. Robert "Bob" Brown
BROWN, Dr. Robert Adkins, 84, beloved father, grandfather, psychologist, and professor, died on January 2, 2021 in Sykesville, Maryland in his home at Fairhaven Retirement Community. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ethel B. and Irby H. Brown; his brother Irby B. Brown and wife Ilia; and the love of his life, Sue Taylor Brown. He is survived by his brother-in-law Fred Taylor (Kathleen); daughters Kaya Brown (Amy Selover) and Karen Brown (Phil Brewer); his sons Jim Brown (Cori Brown) and Ken Brown (Amy Kristof-Brown); his grandchildren by birth and marriage Frederic, Thomas, Sarah, Rebecca, Aaron, Ben, Ellie, Catelyn, Amanda, and Maddie; and many nieces and nephews.
He graduated top of his class from Manchester High School in Richmond, Virginia, where he also served as Senior Class President. He attended the University of Richmond on a basketball scholarship and went on to receive his M.A. and Ph.D. in Psychology from the University of Iowa. He was a member of Phi Gamma Delta fraternity and graduated with membership in the Society of Sigma Xi and Phi Beta Kappa, among other honors.
He began work at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School and then moved to the University of Maryland College Park, where he taught for over 30 years until retirement as Associate Professor Emeritus in 2003. He was an early resident of Columbia, Maryland, raising a family in the Steven's Forest neighborhood and running a vibrant private practice there for individuals and couples until 2018.
He dedicated his professional life to advancing the professional practice of psychology, strengthening the field with emphases on ethical and evidence-based practice. He served as President of the Dallas Psychological Association; the Dallas Society of Clinical Psychologists; the Maryland Psychological Association; the APA Division of State, Provincial and Territorial Psychological Association Affairs; the Board of Examiners of Psychologists in Maryland; and a Board Member, Chair of Policy and Planning, and Chair of the Board of Professional Affairs for the American Psychological Association (APA). He was a frequent APA accreditation site visitor and served as an Associate Editor for Professional Psychology: Research and Practice and section editor for The Independent Practitioner.
Among many service and leadership honors, he was recognized with Fellowship in APA (Divisions 12, 31, 42, and 43) and the Academy of Clinical Psychology; the Eric J. Hatch Outstanding Faculty Award from IDEALS and AFRAM for promoting relationship enhancement therapy; Distinguished Practitioner of Psychology by the National Academies of Practice; and the Karl F. Heiser Award for Advocacy from APA for enhancing psychology through regulation.
He will be remembered for his practical and collegial approach to bringing people together and building relationships through listening. He was quick with a pun, loved to travel and read, and enjoyed art, museums, and music. Above all, he will be missed because of the loving care he had for his family and devoted friends.
The family will hold an online memorial service on Sunday, January 24pm at 6:30pm EST (https://uiowa.zoom.us/j/94827815060). In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Maryland Psychological Association Foundation (https://marylandpsychology.org/donate) or to Gilchrist Hospice Care (https://gilchristcares.org/give), who along with Visiting Angels home healthcare and family members made his last days comfortable.
He graduated top of his class from Manchester High School in Richmond, Virginia, where he also served as Senior Class President. He attended the University of Richmond on a basketball scholarship and went on to receive his M.A. and Ph.D. in Psychology from the University of Iowa. He was a member of Phi Gamma Delta fraternity and graduated with membership in the Society of Sigma Xi and Phi Beta Kappa, among other honors.
He began work at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School and then moved to the University of Maryland College Park, where he taught for over 30 years until retirement as Associate Professor Emeritus in 2003. He was an early resident of Columbia, Maryland, raising a family in the Steven's Forest neighborhood and running a vibrant private practice there for individuals and couples until 2018.
He dedicated his professional life to advancing the professional practice of psychology, strengthening the field with emphases on ethical and evidence-based practice. He served as President of the Dallas Psychological Association; the Dallas Society of Clinical Psychologists; the Maryland Psychological Association; the APA Division of State, Provincial and Territorial Psychological Association Affairs; the Board of Examiners of Psychologists in Maryland; and a Board Member, Chair of Policy and Planning, and Chair of the Board of Professional Affairs for the American Psychological Association (APA). He was a frequent APA accreditation site visitor and served as an Associate Editor for Professional Psychology: Research and Practice and section editor for The Independent Practitioner.
Among many service and leadership honors, he was recognized with Fellowship in APA (Divisions 12, 31, 42, and 43) and the Academy of Clinical Psychology; the Eric J. Hatch Outstanding Faculty Award from IDEALS and AFRAM for promoting relationship enhancement therapy; Distinguished Practitioner of Psychology by the National Academies of Practice; and the Karl F. Heiser Award for Advocacy from APA for enhancing psychology through regulation.
He will be remembered for his practical and collegial approach to bringing people together and building relationships through listening. He was quick with a pun, loved to travel and read, and enjoyed art, museums, and music. Above all, he will be missed because of the loving care he had for his family and devoted friends.
The family will hold an online memorial service on Sunday, January 24pm at 6:30pm EST (https://uiowa.zoom.us/j/94827815060). In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Maryland Psychological Association Foundation (https://marylandpsychology.org/donate) or to Gilchrist Hospice Care (https://gilchristcares.org/give), who along with Visiting Angels home healthcare and family members made his last days comfortable.