Dr. David C. Brown III's Obituary
Dr. David Chappell Brown, III, Renowned Area Ophthalmologist and an esteemed member of the Florida Eye Professionals, passed away on December 2. “He’s going to be a tremendous loss to this community and to our profession,” remarked one of his close colleagues. He was the Founder, Medical Director and Chief Surgeon of Eye Centers of Florida. A (1959) Phi Beta Kappa alum of the University of Florida, where he took both his undergraduate and medical degrees, Brown was born in Miami and later returned to his alma mater to complete a (1963) residency in ophthalmology, and where he also gained the status as a fellow in the National Institute of Health. Following earning his professional credentials, he joined the U.S. Navy as a medical officer – and as a first lieutenant. Dr. Brown enjoyed the esteem of the medical and academic worlds at various hospitals and universities, including U. of Florida, U. of So. Florida, Santana Hospital in the Dominican Republic, and Lee Memorial in Fort Myers. He was lauded in the publication, “Best Doctors in America,” named “Man of the Year” in Gulf Shore Magazine, and earned the prestige of academia in Venezuela. He held eight patents in his field, and in a 2010 publication of MD News was featured as the lead article: “Patents Awarded to David C. Brown, M.D.” Dr. Brown held offices in twenty-three professional organizations, was a member of twenty-eight medical societies, and authored or co-authored seventy-one articles in at least thirty-five professional journals and periodicals. Dr. Brown leaves behind a loving companion, Regina Stancel, his brother, Doug Brown, five grandchildren, a son, David Brown IV, and a daughter, Ashley Oakes.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the University of Florida College of Medicine: PO Box 14425, Gainesville, FL 32604, phone 352-392-3261 or on line at https://www.uff/ufl.edu/med Donations can also be made to the United Way of Lee County: 7273 Concourse Drive, Fort Myers, FL 33908 phone 239-433-2000 or can donate on line at https://UnitedWaylee.org and one of Dr. Brown's other favorite charities is CROW: PO Box 150 Sanibel, FL 33957 phone 239.472.3644 or donations can be made on line at https://Crowclinic.org
A Funeral Service for Dr. Brown will be celebrated at 10:00 AM on Saturday, December 9, 2023 at the Chapel of Memories located at Memorial Gardens Cemetery, 1589 Colonial Boulevard, Fort Myers, Florida 33907, (239) 936-0555. Military Honors for Dr. Brown will thereafter be offered by the Honor Guard of the United States Navy in recognition of his service to that branch in defense of our nation. At the conclusion of these honors, Dr. Brown will be laid to rest at the Veteran's Mausoleum located within the Field of Honor.
To share a story or photo, leave a tribute or to offer condolences to the family at this difficult time, please visit Dr. Brown's memorial webpage at www.fortmyersmemorial.com and sign his guestbook.
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