Phillip Brown - Fatal Crash

[Ernie]

So very sad! Prayers to his family and friends.

http://www.wsbt.com/news/local/90579624.html

ErnieN

[Ernie]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Rebecca J. Bonham, Executive Director

574.235.9714

Studebaker National Museum Mourns Loss of

Trustee and Volunteer Phil Brown

South Bend, Ind. - The Board of Trustees and Staff of Studebaker National

Museum are saddened by the sudden passing of Museum trustee and volunteer

Phil Brown. Brown died Sunday, April 11, when his 1967 Avanti went out of

control on Dragoon Trail. He was returning home from a meeting of the

Pioneer Automobile Association at the Museum.

"We're shocked and deeply saddened by the passing of Phil Brown," said Mark

McDonnell, President, Board of Trustees, Studebaker National Museum. "He

was a man of great stature within the 'Studebaker family' and the 12,000

members of the international Studebaker Drivers Club. He has been the face

of the Museum to so many across the country for many years." McDonnell

added, "I have lost a very good friend who was a fine, fine man."

A museum trustee and volunteer for 25 years, Brown actively served on the

museum's Collections Committee as project manager for the restoration of

several vehicles including the 1947 Woody Station Wagon, 1928 Commander and

1966 Cruiser. The 1928 Commander was restored for the Museum to participate

in the 1990 Great American Race. The 1966 Cruiser was the last vehicle

produced by the Studebaker Corporation in Canada. He represented the Museum

at many car shows throughout the country.

"I have known Phil for the past 27 years and he was part of the fabric here

at the Studebaker National Museum," said Rebecca J. Bonham, executive

director. "Always an ambassador for the history of the Studebaker

Corporation and the role it played in our community, Phil was instrumental

in garnering support from the international Studebaker Driver's Club to

build our new Museum. I will miss him terribly."

In addition, Brown and his wife Cindy served as the international Studebaker

Drivers Club Meet Chairpersons in 1983 and 2007, and he chaired the

Studebaker Drivers Club Capital Cost Fund Committee. He was an active

member and served as past president of the Pioneer Auto Association, the

Antique Studebaker Club and Avanti Owners Association International. He

served on the board of directors of the S. Ray Miller Car Museum in the

early 1990s and was the chairperson of the local Studebaker Swap Meet for

many years.

Brown and his wife were honored by the Studebaker National Museum in 2008

with the Spirit of Studebaker Award for his commitment to the Museum and

recognized by the South Bend/Mishawaka Convention and Visitors Bureau in

2008 with a Live the Legends Tourism Partnership Award for his role as

meeting planner for the 2007 Studebaker Drivers Club international meet in

South Bend.

He was a 40-year employee of Ava Maria Press and owner of Phil's Studebaker

Parts.

[Ernie]

Video tribute:

http://www.wsbt.com/news/local/90710034.html?video=YHI&t=a

[Ernie]

More from the Studebaker National Museum:

http://www.studebakermuseum.org/news.asp?display=case&id=046834653011