Robert Browne
Robert W. Browne
TERM AS TRUSTEE
June 3, 1996 - June 2019
BIOGRAPHY
Dr. Robert W. Browne practiced dentistry and orthodontics in Kalamazoo and Grand Rapids, Michigan for many years before forming the John Roberts Corporation with two other business partners. In 1968, he took this company public and formed Care Corporation with three divisions: nursing homes, recreation and home health care. In 1986, Owens Illinois purchased Care Corporation.
Dr. Browne was born in Coldwater, Michigan and raised by his paternal grandparents. As a young boy he attended a one-room school with 17 students in 1st through 8th grades. His home had neither electricity nor plumbing. Like his classmates and many others of his generation, Dr. Browne’s life was profoundly shaped by two global events, the Great Depression (1929-1941) and World War II (1939-1945).
Dr. Browne responded to the financial challenges of his Depression-era childhood by developing his strong work ethic very early in life. He proved himself an accomplished self-starter with jobs picking potatoes for five cents a crate, cleaning and running errands for a men’s clothing store for 10 cents an hour, and working at the then-Standard Oil gas station. He seldom missed a day of school because he knew education was key to building the life he envisioned.
Following graduation from high school, Dr. Browne enrolled at the University of Michigan. His college career was interrupted by World War II. He joined the Army Air Corp 41st Squadron and was awarded the Air Medal for “courageous service.” When the war ended he returned to the University of Michigan and completed his Bachelor of Science degree. He then enrolled in and graduated from the university’s Dental School.
Dr. Brown and his wife, Lynn, were married for more than 60 years. Together they had four children and six grandchildren.