Gregory "Greg" Charles Brown

Gregory Charles Brown passed away in the early morning on September 13, 2026, with his girls at his side after a long struggle with interstitial lung disease.

Greg was born in Rochester, Minnesota, to Charles and Geraldine Brown on July 24, 1949, and graduated from Lourdes High School in 1967. Greg had the best time growing up in Rochester, making lifelong friends, playing sports, and performing music as the bassist for the Rogues of Rochester.

Greg joined the US Navy in 1969 and was honorably discharged in 1973. He was honored to have worked in the medical department at Walter Reed Medical Center in Washington, DC as a surgical tech. He continued his schooling at Mankato Stare graduating with a bachelor’s degree in business in 1978.

Greg was proud to work for Mayo Clinic, starting in November 1987 and retiring in 2020. He started in Central Service at Saint Marys and retired from the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology. He was mentored by many people he admired and in turn, mentored others in demonstrating Mayo Clinic values every day. He set up the proceeds of his contribution to a patent to be sent to Mayo’s Parkinson research in memory of his dad, Chuck.

Greg met his wife Kathleen Bostrack at the Austin Medical Center and they were married on April 5th, 1975. Their 50-plus-year marriage was filled with lots of love, support of each other’s interests, and a shared sense of humor and musical taste. They enjoyed quiet evenings at home, day trips to the family trailer, and DQ blizzards. Greg especially loved Kathy’s rhubarb pies and apple pie bars. He did a great job assimilating with her Norwegian heritage, though his use of lefse as a Thanksgiving tortilla was side eyed by the family. Greg was devoted to ensuring Kathy’s health and happiness.

Greg was meant to be a dad and thrived outnumbered in a house full of women. He adored his girls, Emily and Sarah. He always wanted the best for them and did everything he could to provide opportunities and support. He made sure to provide a good influence, with repeat viewings of the Blues Brothers, the Great Outdoors, and Uncle Buck, station wagon road trips to concerts, and showering them with affection. He wasn’t a handyman but that didn’t stop him from building them a backyard ice rink, a Cinderella snow castle, and Sleeping Beauty bonfires. He made sure they could always find him in a crowd by wearing his neon orange Beach Boys hat. Greg did his best to anticipate their every need and came to the rescue as often as he could. He set the bar high for integrity and gave them the best memories.

He felt lucky to gain his son-in-law, Derik, and they spent the next 20 years getting a kick out of each other. They shared the helper trait. He was delighted to finally have someone to watch sports with and to recruit when he needed help down at the trailer. He was happy to hand over his ownership and care of the family site to Derik, knowing his were the most capable hands possible to continue to create memories in the same place his father-in-law shared with him. He was impressed with Derik’s work ethic, kindness, and ability to fix his phone. He was excited to see Derik become a great dad and husband.

He was incredibly proud of his grandchildren, Zayne, Shaye, Kayde, and Elyse. He loved seeing them perform in their chosen hobbies, hearing about their interests, and delighted in being their Grandpa Greg or GG. He attended as many music, sports, dance, or science events as possible and shared photos and videos with everyone. Being a grandfather was his favorite role and they were his favorite people. He had so much faith in their ability to achieve any of their dreams and was honored they are part of his legacy and he is part of theirs.

Greg was the textbook example of a people person; he loved learning about others and connecting over mutual interests. Top tier connections included being from Rochester, working at Mayo Clinic, and at the very top: music. He was dedicated to facilitating lifetime connections by arranging class reunion garage band jams for decades. He put on an amazing show and deeply loved bringing people together through a shared love of music. Those connections with friends and family sustained him and he adored reminiscing, playing poker, and especially talking about and playing music with them all over the years. He was grateful for every single conversation and kindness shown to him.

Greg loved to help and also never hesitated to ask for it when he needed it. He had the biggest heart and struggled to find the bad in anyone; the only love he knew how to give was unconditional and abundant. He excelled at taking naps and told interesting stories in his sleep. He was adamant that the best kind of band has a horn section. Greg never found a problem that wasn’t made better with a sturdy application of duct tape or gorilla glue.

He is survived by his wife, Kathy; daughters, Emily and Sarah; son-in-law Derik; grandchildren, Zayne (Amanda), Shaye, Kayde, and Elyse; siblings, Terry (Shelley) Brown, Jeff (Kate) Brown, Cindy (Bob) Groettum, and Julie Brown; sisters-in-law, Carol Stethem and Jane Ryan; nieces, nephews, friends, and his cat supervisor, Oliver. He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Geraldine Brown; parents-in-law, Clifford and Melba Bostrack; and brother-in-law, Mick Stethem.

Greg requested donations to your local school music program if you are inclined. He would be delighted to be remembered anytime you crank up a good song that has a beat you can dance to. Rock on with kindness and love. We will love you forever Dad, you were the best. We were honored to be your girls.

A memorial service for Greg will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 20, 2026, at Worlein-Hoff Funeral Home in Austin. The visitation will take place one hour prior to the service. Interment will be in Oakwood Cemetery, Austin. Worlein-Hoff Funeral Homes of Austin are assisting the family with arrangements.