Dr. Rodney Brown excelled in events from the sprints through the 800 meters.

Older sprinters are mourning one of their own this week. Dr. Rodney Brown, a Utah dentist who won three silver medals in the 400 and 800 at the 1997 Durban and 1999 Gateshead world masters meets (plus at least one 4×4 gold) died Wednesday of brain cancer. He would have turned 81 the next day. An obituary appears in his local paper. A longtime friend of his, Bill Daprano, writes: “I always ran on the 4×4 relay with him and I knew when he got the baton it was going to make a huge difference. We were really outnumbered by the Germans in Durban, So we let him lead off. He got us such a commanding lead that the Germans never were able to overcome. On top of that, he was a real gentleman and a great friend. . . . Our 80-84 relay group will sorely miss him.” Rodney last competed in 2006, when he was ranked in the M75 top 10 in the 100 (15.76) and 400 (1:17.51). His funeral is Tuesday.

Here’s the obituary in case the link goes bad:

Article published Oct 15, 2007
Dr. Rodney Arthur Brown
Dr. Rodney Arthur Brown, died at age 80 after a long struggle with brain cancer. He crossed the finish line Wednesday, Oct.10th, 2007. He was born Oct. 11, 1926, in Scipio, Utah to Nona and Arthur Brown. He always joked that he arrived before Columbus because he was born the day before Columbus Day.
Rodney was born in the same house his father was born and grew up in. Rodney was the oldest of six children. His mother taught him early, a love of reading and learning. In first grade he won a prize for reading 69 books. Throughout his life he had a great thirst for knowledge and books and he seemed to have an accurate memory of everything he ever read.
He loved nature and the outdoors. He had a wonderful scoutmaster who nurtured this love and inspired him to go on to become a fantastic scoutmaster himself, mastering all the qualities taught by the scouting program to the highest degree and even earning the “Silver Beaver” award.
As a senior in High School he enlisted in the Military. He was one of the few to qualify in the coveted Aviation Cadet program of the U.S. Air Force. He later earned a private pilot’s license and loved to fly his whole life.
Rodney attended SUU (BAC) after WW2 ended and became very involved in activities such as: fraternity leaderships, college councils, elections, assemblies choirs, and was the star of the track team (usually taking first in the 440, 880 and mile relay). He had an 880 record that stood for 18 years at the BYU invitational track meet.
He was named Outstanding Business student at BAC. He received a Bachelor’s Degree at Utah State College.
He attended Dental School at Northwestern University in Chicago and graduated with honors.
During dental school, he married Joanna Palmer, whom he had met in Cedar. They married on Aug. 25th 1950. Their first baby arrived on November 25th 1951. Over the years they were blessed with 4 more children.
In June of 1954 they moved back to Cedar City and Rod began his dental practice. He and Joanna set about raising their children and becoming involved in many community groups like the Master Singers, Lions Club and Chamber of Commerce. They lived for 46 years at 218 S. 100 W.
Active in the Cedar 2nd ward of the LDS Church, he was Elders Quorum president, gospel doctrine teacher, scoutmaster, counselor and bishop.
He stayed on the cutting edge in Dentistry and was the first dentist in Cedar City to have a “high speed” drill. He belonged to the Beehive Academy of Dental Practice Administration and was President of the Southern District Dental Society.
He loved Lake Powell and took his family and friends, scouts and youth groups there often for over 25 years.
He strongly believed in taking care of his health. His diligence over the years in exercise and good nutrition enabled him to become an elite athlete, competing in Master Track and Field from 1987 to 2006.
During these years he won over 300 medals and was ranked in the top ten by USA Track and Field. He set national and world records in the 400 meter event and with his relay team. In 1999 he was named Male Athlete of the year for the Utah Summer Games and was inducted into their Hall of Honor in 2003.
He was an ambassador for the Huntsman World Senior Games where he held records and was the recipient of the 15 consecutive years ring. On the evening that he passed away he was inducted into their Hall of Fame.
Rodney and his wife Dale Terry Brown were chosen to be torch bearers in the 2002 Winter Olympic Torch Run.
His marriage to Dale was a wonderful new chapter in his life after the passing of his first wife Joanna. They had been long time friends as her late husband had attended dental school with Rod. Rod and Dale had many things in common and found that their friendship could develop into a deep love and affection. He truly loved her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
He was an incredibly loving, patient, wise, honest man with a wonderful sense of humor and a hungry, inquiring mind. He believed that the most important things one can have are integrity and a good name.
He is survived by: His wife, Dale Terry Brown, his children: Stephen (Sherie), Eric (LuAnne), Marc (Suzanne), Jan Randall (Bill) and Erin L. Ekker (Derek); his brothers: Dr. Gaylen Brown, and Dr. Raymond Brown; his sisters: Connie Grenawalt, Barbara Foote and Marilyn Watt; 17 grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren; 5 step-children, 18 step grandchildren and 18 step great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held Tuesday, Oct. 16th 2007 at the Cedar West Stake, 725 South 1100 West, at 12 noon.
Viewing will be 6 to 8 p.m. on Monday evening Oct. 15th and Tuesday morning from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the So. Utah Mortuary, 190 North 300 West.
The family would like to send a special thanks to care givers Melissa, Daisy, Megan, and Karen whose tender care allowed Rod to stay in his home the final months of his life.
Online condolences can be sent to www.southernutahmortuary.com