Alan Brown walked through life with the heart of an old soul—wise, thoughtful, and deeply connected to both the Creator and creation itself. He cared for the earth as if it were a friend, grieved its wounds, and found peace in its quiet places—streams, woods, and while snowboarding snowy mountainsides. 

He lived with conviction. Drawn to honor and service, he joined the United States Marine Corps in 2009. He had three combat tours in Afghanistan. There, among other things, he engineered solutions that brought life-enabling clean water and sustenance to hundreds and earned the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal.

But Alan was more than his service. He was the kind of person who earned trust, respect, and love of all who truly knew him – his friends, brothers in the Marines, and his family. He built bridges—not only of wood and rope for mountain bike trails in the forest, but also between people.

He played with joy, worked with determination, and carried himself with quiet, humble pride. He reached mountaintops—both in the Austrian Alps and in the hearts of those who loved him.

Alan’s story is one of courage, kindness, and connection. His footsteps may no longer walk beside us, but his spirit still runs through the streams, rests in the pines, and soars with the wind. We carry him with us, always, and are fortunate for the time we had with him.”