Clyde E. Brown

Clyde Edward Brown, Professor Emeritus of Political Science, Miami University, died December 9, 2019, at McCullough-Hyde Memorial Hospital in Oxford, Ohio. Clyde was born in St. Paul, Minnesota, February 20, 1950, to Leo and Carol (Mathis) Brown. He is survived by his wife of thirty-two years Gayle Kathleen (Pluta) Brown and brothers and sisters Yvonne (Gordy) Lyftogt, Andrew (Sara), Sherri (Mark Zeliadt), Perry Leaves, and Jackie (Thom) Fourez, and brothers-in-law David (Maureen Dunigan) Pluta and Steven (Kelly) Pluta. Also survived by dear friends Erik and Trudi Lewis and other friends and relatives. He was preceded in death by his father Leo and brother Michael.

Clyde received Bachelor of Science and Master of Public Administration degrees from Iowa State University and Master of Arts and Doctor of Philosophy degrees from the University of Iowa. He was a member of Miami University’s Department of Political Science from 1986 to 2016. Clyde’s primary teaching responsibilities were in the area of American government and research methods, specifically courses on organized interests, applied politics, and methods of political analysis.

Clyde was active in the anti-Vietnam War movement on the Iowa State University campus. He served as coordinator o the Vietnam Moratorium Committee for the state of Iowa. Before beginning his academic career, Clyde worked on political campaigns for city council candidates in Ames, Iowa, Iowa gubernatorial candidate John Tapscott, and Iowa Representative (later Senator) Thomas Harkin. He worked as a legislative assistant and district representative for Representative Harkin from 1975 to 1978.

Clyde enjoyed books, sports, folk music, movies, and, most especially, chess. He was a member of the Loosely Organized Chess Club of Oxford (LOCO) and the Oxford Chess Club. After retiring he taught classes for the Institute for Learning in Retirement, played many a chess game with his good friend Jack Sommer, and enjoyed meeting friends and colleagues John Forren and Walt Vanderbush for a meal, a beer, and political discussion.

A memorial service is being planned for a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the McCullough-Hyde Memorial Hospital Foundation 110 N. Poplar Street, Oxford, OH 45056 or the American Friends Service Committee AFSC Development, 1501 Cherry Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102.

“After the game, the king and the pawns all go in the same box.”

(Italian proverb)

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