Frank McGhinnis Brown, 87

Published 10:43 am Thursday, November 14, 2013

Frank McGhinnis Brown, 87, of Austin, Minn. died Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2013, at The Cedars of Austin.

Brown

He was born in Denver, Colo. on April 5, 1926 to William and Margaret ‘Mimi’ (Buel) Brown. After graduating from East Denver High School in 1943, Frank immediately joined the Naval Reserve. He served in World War II in the South Pacific on an ammunition supply ship and finished his tour of duty at King’s Point, New York — later learning that his ship, the USS Canada Victory, had been destroyed by a Kamikaze bombing shortly after he was sent to King’s Point. After the war, Frank attended the Colorado School of Mines for a couple of years and then switched to Colorado State University, where he received a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering in 1948. He spent his career with Hormel Foods Corp. in Austin. He started as a draftsman and retired as Chief Engineer and Vice President of Engineering 38 years later. On Jan. 10, 1948, he was united in marriage to Astrid Svedlund in Denver. As a registered engineer and land surveyor in the state of Minnesota and a number of other states, Frank was responsible for the building and equipment layouts and engineering of the new Austin plant, corporate office, and research and development facilities. He was also responsible for a number of new plants built by the Hormel Company throughout the U.S. A member of the original ‘Y’s Men’s Club’, Frank oversaw the design and building of the YMCA. He was a member of the Methodist Church and later the Congregational Church in Austin, serving on committees in both churches. He was also a member of the Utilities Board and the Southern Municipal Power Agency. Most recent memberships include the Noon Kiwanis Club, the American Legion, the Colorado State University Alumni Association, and the CSU Former Athlete’s Association. Frank’s favorite hobbies were fishing, golfing, gardening, and traveling. He was deeply devoted to his family. He and Astrid took his daughters and later grandchildren and great grandchildren (and all the in-laws) to the same guest ranch in Colorado for 49 straight years.

Survivors include his wife of 65 years, Astrid L. Brown and four daughters: Ann Linnea (Christina Baldwin) in Washington, Susan (Stewart) Lynch in Arizona, Kathy (John) Harrington in Minnesota, and Margaret Brown (Charlie Parsons) in North Carolina. Frank and Astrid have been blessed with 13 grandchildren and 18 great grandchildren. Two dear nieces, Carol McGowan and Cindy Brown, also survive him. He was preceded in death by his parents William and Mimi Brown and one brother, Charles Brown.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2013, at the First Congregational Church in Austin, with Pastor Shari Mason officiating. Visitation will be held from 5:30-7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 26, at Worlein Funeral Home in Austin, and one hour prior to the service at the church on Wednesday. Interment will be in Oakwood Cemetery with flag presentation by American Legion Post 91. The family suggests that memorials be directed to the American Diabetes Association, First Congregational Church, or recipient of donor’s choice. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.worlein.com.