Jerry Allin Brownfield

March 29, 1942 - December 07, 2017

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

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50 responses to Jerry Allin Brownfield

  1. Jo Blair says:

    Dear Beth,Please accept my condolences for your sudden loss. You will be in my thoughts as you move though this unexpected time. We are carrying on the work you inspired us to take up at QUUF and we welcome a visit when you are ready.
    Love, Jo

  2. Jerry was a friend to us for51 years. From the inception of our meeting, we have always considered him one of the finest men we’ve met . He was a true gentle man in every sense of the word. He gave back to the world in his love of life and nature. If more people could emulate him, what a wonderful place this could be. We will cherish his memory until our last days. He taught us to want to be better folks. Walk on,Jerry. With affection and admiration. June and Ben Cherry who served with Beth and Jerry in Honduras and continued that relationship until the end.

  3. Bill Mohs says:

    My thoughts are with the family. Jerry has touched many lives, including mine. Jerry mentored me as a young engineer at TK. He taught me that engineering is more than fact and figures, but a chance to make a difference in the lives of other people. He taught me the importance of taking time to get outside and experience the wonder of nature. I feel privileged to have mentored by Jerry, and hope to pass on to others what I have learned from him.

  4. Jerry, wonderful, warm, kind, generous man. I remember sweet times working along side you at Unistar. You were always, patient, respectful, and inclusive in your quiet wisdom ways. I’m sending love and prayers your way.
    Beth is magnificently well loved and a wise women. All will be well and is well. Life is a beautiful mystery.
    Peace and much love to you and yours,
    _____
    Dearest Beth,

    Jerry and you had such an obviously loving and supportive relationship. It was beautiful to observe. I’m so sorry to hear that he has passed. He was blessed to have you and the girls by his side. And I hope he did not have much prolonged pain.

    Thank you for the opportunity to share my thoughts with you both before he died.

    You are a strong, powerful and loving woman in the world. I know that you will continue to be and that there are hundreds of people and communities that you have supported that will be there for you and the girls. Let yourself basque in their love and support.

    Love to you Beth,
    Marjorie

  5. Lee Jackman says:

    My love and prayers will be with you all as you honor Jerry’s life through his Memorial Service. I wish I could be with you. To hug you, to grieve, to remember.
    You were Jerry’s love and life. He was strengthened and fulfilled by your love.

    May you be strong and bold during the service and afterward.

    xoxoxo
    Lee Jackman

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