BROWN, Ian Donald, Rev (1947-2019)
Assembly memorial minute, 2019
Ian Brown only lived 72 years on this earth, but they were years spent with integrity, love and faithfulness to the Lord.
Ian was the first of three sons born to Donald and Jean Brown, all of whom had the privilege of growing up in a Christian family on a dairy farm in Bamawm. His primary schooling was at Lockington, followed by Echuca Technical College.
At age 18 he started work at a bank in Echuca, and then moved to Rochester to begin work as a clerk for the Rochester Shire Council when he was 19. Ian continued the family involvement at Rochester Presbyterian Church, with his mum playing the organ and his Dad sitting in the same pew each Sunday. But
Ian’s involvement went well beyond sitting in the pew. He led Bible classes at their home, youth group, Sunday school and youth camps. During this time, the congregation elected him to the eldership. There would be a number of people who regularly attended that church, sitting under Ian’s ministry, who are thankful for his guidance.
In 1996, at the age of 49, Ian commenced as a student for the ministry at the Presbyterian Theological College. After graduation, his exit appointment was to Somerville Presbyterian Church and he continued serving there until he retired in 2009. As in Rochester, through nine years of faithful service, he
touched many people’s lives through his faithful preaching of the gospel and his pastoral care. He was ably and loyally supported through that ministry by his wife Heather.
Ian used his retirement years selflessly. His contributions, as well as that of Heather’s, as they retired were exemplary. We are thankful for his involvement at Rochester in preaching, Bible studies and encouragement to a new minister, and also his faithful duty for the Presbytery of North West Victoria until shortly before his death.
Ian could converse on many subjects. In fact, Ian Brown loved a good yarn. His interests included cars, trains and aircraft (being the holder of a pilot’s licence, with the intention, God willing, of joining MAF).
We miss Ian. We loved him for his kind and gentle disposition as a man of compassion, his firm resolve in that he would not let things go that were wrong, his diligence to complete to his best any task he was asked to do, and supremely, his deep love of the Saviour the Lord Jesus Christ and the power
of the gospel of grace. We thank God for Rev Ian Donald Brown – and in the words of the Apostle Paul to Timothy, he fought the good fight and held on to faith and a good conscience.
Gender
- Male