SAMUEL RITTY BROWN

After completing high school and pre-medical training in Shelbourne, he attended Dalhousie University in Halifax, from which he received his M.D. in 1908. He interned at Victoria Hospital in the same city.

On the completion of his hospital work in 1909, Dr. Brown came to the Island of Hawaii as plantation physician at Olaa. Later he worked at Paauilo and Honokaa. Going to London, England, in 1915 the doctor served a residency at Metropolitan Hospital where he took special surgical work, which involved caring for war casualties as well as other cases. On his return to Hawaii in 1916, Dr. Brown set up a private practice in Hilo.

On February 28, 1916, Dr. Brown married Miss Ida Beverly in Boston, Massachusetts. Two children were born to the Browns: a son, Philip, and a daughter, Barabara Ann (Mrs. Jack Shofner).

At the outbreak of World War II, on December 7, 1941, Dr. Brown happened to be in Honolulu and worked for three solid days treating casualties.

On his retirement in July, 1962, he had practiced in Hawaii for 53 years, some 47 of which were spent in Hilo in the same building on Kinoole Street. At the annual Hawaii Medical Association convention in 1959, he was selected as Physician of the Year.

On March 2, 1965, Dr. Brown died at the Queen's Hospital, Honolulu, at the age of 82.

He was a member of the Hwaii County Medical Society, the Hawaii Medical Association, the American Medical Association, the American College of Surgeons, Selective Service Committee, Kilauea Masonic Lodge No. 330, the Shrine, and the Boys' Club of Hilo. He was the first member of the American College of Surgeons on the Island of Hawaii. He took an active role in civic and community affairs.

On occasion of being chosen Physician of the Year, Dr. Brown characterized himself as " a crusty old fellow", but those who knew him insisted that under the crust lay a core of sincerity and sweetness. Dr. R. P. Henderson, who shared offices with him from 1957 until his retirement, called him " the last of a generation of good general practitioners" and " the kind of guy who would observe and study some particular medical problem for hours".

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