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Prominent ACOM Professor Passes

March 31st, 2016 by WCBC Radio

CUMBERLAND — Dudley Chamberlain Brown passed on Saturday, March 26, 2016, at Ruby Memorial hospital in Morgantown, W.Va., after a sudden illness.

Mr. Brown was born on Sept. 28, 1940, to parents Anne Chamberlain Brown and Clyde Edward Brown in Marietta, Ohio. His mother was a best selling mystery novelist in the 1950’s and Dudley was raised in a rich atmosphere of literature, music and film that stayed with him his entire life. His passion for his generation’s new music of rock and roll followed him his entire life, especially the works of the Motown artists but he also was equally as passionate about opera, Broadway show tunes and, later, contemporary country music. His friends were often entertained by the many stories of his wonderful childhood with his adoring mother and his dear brother, Edward.

Mr. Brown graduated from Marietta High School in 1958 and the Marietta College. He went on to receive his Bachelors degree in English from Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pa. and later his Masters from West Virginia University in Morgantown.

He got his first job teaching English at Lehigh but later, in 1970, accepted a temporary position at the then new Allegany Community College. The job was meant to last a semester but, to his great joy, became a permanent part of the English Dept. for the next 4 decades, teaching English, English Lit and, for a short time, a popular history of Rock and Roll class. He quickly became a well loved and respected member of the department by staff and students and was well known for his work ethic and, equally, for his social status amongst the entertainment scene in Western Maryland.

During his tenure at ACC/AC, he also wrote many articles and reviews that were quite popular on books and music in many nationally publicized papers and magazines. He also wrote book reviews and country music reviews for The Cumberland Times News at various times and was a contributor on many text books over the years.

Mr. Brown was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his beloved brother whom he was so proud of, Edward Brown of Athens, Ohio; his devoted, loving and adoring friend of 36 years, Bubby Lewis and wife, Sophie of Los Angeles, Calif., and their 3 children, Alex, Emma and Ben. Also surviving is his long dedicated and faithful friend, Rick Powell of Frostburg.

Dudley was also a dedicate animal lover and had many cats and dogs that he adored over the years. He was known for his variety of “Cat Lover” shirts, hats, buttons and other delightfully eccentric, rock and roll fashion statements over his lifetime.

Mostly, his biggest survivors are literally tens of thousands of faculty, staff and students from Allegany Community College/Allegany College with whom he shared his work, life and talents over four decades. It was truly his passion and he loved every minute of it and would always be there to tell you that. He adored his craft, was proud to be a teacher but was more proud of his colleagues and students.

He had a special bond with the city of Cumberland the moment he arrived in 1970 and fell in love with the city that he made his home. He truly belonged to the city, teaching former student’s children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren! He relished ever bit of life and, even as he would talk of how wonderful Cumberland and ACC were to him, he was every bit as generous to friends, students and co-workers with his heart, money, wisdom and time. He was always very proud of his students, friends and colleagues and proud that they were all one and the same.

Cumberland will be a very different town without Mr. Dudley Brown be-bopping around downtown, on campus or at his many different night spots and social gatherings with his many friends, but he will always be a part of the charmed existence of his favorite place, the city and the campus.

In lieu of a funeral, friends will be received at a wake/celebration of life and social gathering to remember Mr. Brown on Saturday, April 2, 2016, at Geatz’s Underground (the former Rascals), 206 Paca St., Cumberland, at 7 p.m. It is open to the public! The Adams Family Funeral Home, P.A., 404 Decatur St., Cumberland, (www.Adamsfamilyfuneralhome.com ) is in charge of arrangements.

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