Jerry Allin Brownfield
March 29, 1942 - December 07, 2017
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Jerry Allin Brownfield
March 29, 1942 - December 07, 2017
Obituary
FOR what is it to die but to stand naked in the wind and to melt into the sun?
And what is it to cease breathing but to free the breath from its restless tides, that it may rise and expand and seek spirit unencumbered?
ONLY when you drink from the river of silence shall you indeed sing.
And when you have reached the mountain top, then you shall begin to climb.
Kahlil Gibran
Jerry Brownfield, Bellingham, WA, after a life full of love and adventure, “walked into the forest” with jaunty steps, and deep clear breaths, on December 7, 2017. He had a deep and abiding love of the natural world.
He was a man of twinkling eyes, inquisitiveness and love, an incredible son, brother, uncle, husband, father and friend to all.
Jerry was the son of Allen Brownfield, and Alice (Zimmerman) Brownfield, of Sacramento, CA. Married (June 27, 1964) for fifty-three years to Virginia Elizabeth (Beth) Batcheller. He received a Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of California, Davis in 1967. Beth and Jerry served in the Peace Corps from 1967-1969 in Honduras, Central America.
Jerry’s engineering degree took him in 1969 to General Mills in Golden Valley, MN for two years, and then to Thermo King (Transport Refrigeration) in Minneapolis, MN for over 30. The family lived in Oranmore, Ireland from 1983 to 1985, as Jerry worked for Thermo King. Jerry and Beth moved to Bellingham in 2004.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister Margaret (Brownfield) Harmer. His legacy and memories will live on in daughters Amie Lenore Brownfield and Jenny Elizabeth (Brownfield) Bowefield; grandchildren Erin Beth Bowefield, Dylan Scott Bowefield; sister Caroline (Brownfield) Minto; niece Vicky and nephews Mark Minto and Robin Harmer; and hundreds of friends and acquaintances around the globe.
Jerry was an active volunteer with the Whatcom Dispute Resolution Center, the Human Rights Film Festival Task Force, a men’s hiking group, and three book groups. He took many courses through the Academy for Lifelong Learning. He was an inventor (wind and solar energy in particular), and active in the Bellingham Unitarian Fellowship. He loved singing, gardening, hiking, conversing, tinkering, inventing, and writing poetry.
When friends and family were asked who Jerry was for them, their responses included, but were not limited to: adaptable, admired, adventurous, authentic, caring, comfortable, contemplative, creative, diligent, doggedly determined, down to earth, empathetic, enthusiastic helper, ethical, fixer, full of laughter, generous, gentle, good listener, gracious, honorable, honest, humble, imaginative, inclusive, filled with integrity, intelligent, inventive, kind, level headed, loyal, mensch (A person who does the right thing at the right time for the right reason), mentor, non-judgmental, optimistic spirit, peacemaker, poetic, practical wisdom, present to all moments and beauty of life, problem solver, resourceful, respectful, responsible, humorous, smart, sparkling eyes, stand-up guy, steadfast and loyal, strong & stable, supportive, talented, thoughtful, understanding, warm, and wise. Please share memories at this page.
Jerry has walked on and will continue to inspire us by his examples.
Memorial Service, Saturday, January 27, 3:30-6:00 p.m. Bellingham Unitarian Fellowship
Donations in his memory to: Whatcom Dispute Resolution Center (13 Prospect St.#201, Bellingham, WA 98225), or Bellingham Human Rights Film Festival (http://bhrff.webs.com/donate.htm).
Celebration Of Life
- Date & Time: January 18, 1272 (12:00 AM)
- Venue: Bellingham Unitarian Fellowship
- Location: 1207 Ellsworth Street Bellingham, WA 98225 - (Get Directions)
- Phone Number: (360) 73-3-3837
50 responses to Jerry Allin Brownfield
Linda Hutchinson says:
December 7, 2017
I agree with the long list of attributes. He was a generous, peaceful presence in my life and the lives of so many. My heart goes out to all of you. Sending compassion your way.
MICHAEL SHEA FOR LESLIE GILLETTE (FORMERLYFARICY) says:
December 7, 2017
I am so sad and sorry to learn of the passing of your Jerry. Leslie would have been equally
sad and would have wished to assist you in any way she could. Leslie talked about you many, many times over our 38 years together. You brought a smile to her face every time she said your name and shared a memory of you
.
Leslie had a good live, and we had a lot of fun over the years when not attending to the curve balls life pitches your way. But it was not long enough. I guess it never is enough when two people are deeply in love.
I am devastated and feel that half on me is gone. The three kids and I are hanging together and taking care of each other
I hope that time will ease the pain for you.
Peace,
Michael Shea mjmshea@icloud.com
Robert (Bob) Loynd says:
December 7, 2017
I knew Jerry through the walking group and to a lesser extent, at BUF. I always found him pleasant to be around. I felt comfortable with him and he had interesting things to say. He will be missed.
Meg Riley says:
December 7, 2017
I did not have the pleasure of much time in Jerry’s company–I knew him primarily as the beloved husband of my dear friend and colleague Beth. It has been clear throughout my decades of knowing her, that he was her complete partner in every bit of life, which they both lived as fully as anyone could. Both of them took risks to find more joy, more adventure, more beauty, more love with each other and with the wider world. I know that Jerry will be acutely missed by many, and that Beth will need some time to reorient herself to life without her faithful companion by her side and always having her back. My condolences and love to the kids and grandkids as well; a more devoted dad and grandpa is hard to imagine!
Moonwater says:
December 7, 2017
Beth,
All of us at the Dispute Resolution Center send you and your family our love. Below is the message from me that you shared with Jerry when he fell ill. We will continue to hold you in our hearts. Please know that Jerry has inspired so much support for our mission. His legacy, generosity, and kindness live on….
Jerry,
My dear friend. I feel so lucky to have gotten to know you and work with you through the Center. How fortunate our board and our organization were to have you join with us.
I have such fond thoughts of you. Honestly, you remind me a bit of my own dad, and my grandpa, his dad, mixed into one.
You’re inventive and creative. You’ve made so many things, and you’ve made so many things happen. I lost track of how many cribbage boards you created for us, but it was record setting. It was you that fixed the stage at the Majestic so no one would get injured at the peace builder awards! It was you that brought parking signs, display cases, and creative costumes (for our fundraisers) to fruition.
Anytime something needed to be fixed, you were there. You are a fixer. People and things and places are better and stronger because of you.
I enjoy being around you and have missed seeing more of you these past few years. Nevertheless, you’ve stayed in my mind and heart. And you always will Jerry. I have always felt so supported by you, and by Beth. What a great team you are. You are truly a special person. I will hold you in my heart always, thankful that our paths have crossed.
My dear friend, I am sending you so much love right now.
Blessed be, in peace,
Moonwater