J. Oliver Brown | Physician, 91

J. Oliver Brown, 91, of West Mount Airy, a physician who cared for families in West Philadelphia for 50 years, died of complications from pneumonia Nov. 29 at Roxborough Memorial Hospital.

Dr. Brown established his practice in 1950 and retired after he had a stroke in 2000. He was known for his diligence, his son Matthew said, and never complained about his typical 13- or 14-hour workday. He served on the staffs of Mercy-Douglass and Misericordia Hospitals in Philadelphia. In 2003, Dr. Brown received the Dr. Edward S. Cooper Humanitarian Award from the University of Pennsylvania for his community service.

Dr. Brown graduated from Overbrook High School in 1933. He earned a bachelor's degree in chemistry and mathematics and a master's degree in mathematics from Penn.

For two years he taught math at Hampton Institute in Virginia before attending Meharry Medical College in Nashville. After graduating in 1948, he completed an internship at Philadelphia General Hospital.

He loved medicine, golf, football, and track and field, his son said, and attended the Penn Relays for 75 consecutive years.

Dr. Brown married Catharine Bryan Brown in 1955. In addition to his wife and son, he is survived by a daughter, Pamela, and a grandson.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at Christ Church and St. Michael's, 29 W. Tulpehocken St., Philadelphia.