pat and bob brown
A glorious chapter in an era of magnanimous civic activism ended with the passing of Pat Brown, beloved community volunteer, in December 2008. Pat and her husband, Bob, a three-term Mayor of Portola Valley, initiated and supported some of Portola Valley’s finest civic accomplishments. Countervailing force to Bob’s overt, bold competence and trail-blazing abilities was Pat’s delicate, reserved finesse. As a team, they plied their equally-matched fervor and generosity in the public realm. Pat was a 'behind-the-scenes leader/servant,” while Bob took on with relish the hurly-burly of public life and politics.
Their finest hours, both personally and as contributing citizens, were in their collaborations, to which they brought an unmatchable energy and force. The sleepy town of Portola Valley is the beneficiary of their work together in creating and sustaining a community they loved. In 1964, the Town Council, with members including Bob Brown and Bill Lane, incorporated Portola Valley, making it the 18th city in San Mateo County. Then, in 1967, the Browns were key in creating an official Friends of the Library group and spearheading a campaign to support a permanent site for a town library. It was the Browns again in 1969 who facilitated the first real incarnation of the Portola Valley Library in the vacated buildings of a Portola Valley school. Through their efforts, and with the philanthropy of the Rousch Family, an endowment was established to support Friends’ programs at the Library. Today, donations from the community bolster that endowment and provide support for library progams and resources.
Pat served as President, Treasurer, and always as “factotum” of the Friends for many years. In addition, her creative ways of volunteering enriched so many – library patrons and peers alike – for decades. Pat handed off to me several years of Friends’ records, and in them all I find one gentle, abiding spirit. It is a spirit devoted, quietly brilliant and determined, to promote life’s greatest offerings (in this instance, a free, public library in service to lifelong education).
Pat and Bob Brown exemplified democracy in our little hamlet, and their life’s work of community-building was founded on beneficence, collaboration, and visionary thinking. For the example and products of their joint and individual magic, we are indebted forever to Pat and Bob Brown. The Friends of the PV Library are proud to help keep their legacy alive!