Brown & Lambrecht founder ‘Bitz' Brown, 89, of Joliet, dies
Published: The Herald News, Joliet - November 11, 2013
JOLIET — Laverne 'Bitz' Brown, who co-founded Brown & Lambrecht Earth Movers in 1947, died Saturday at his Joliet home. He was 89.
Brown, a U.S. Navy veteran who served during World War II, is survived by his wife, Dorothy 'Dottie' Brown of 67 years.
"It's a huge loss for the community," said Steve Morrissette, a business professor at the University of St. Francis who knew Brown for 30 years. "His leadership and generosity will be very difficult to replace."
Brown served on many boards, received many awards, traveled extensively — often in a private plane he piloted — and built his company into one that provided thousands of good-paying jobs for decades, Morrissette said. But it's Brown's generosity that was the most striking, he added.
"He would donate equipment, people and materials all the time," he said.
Some of his donations are named in his honor, including a wing at Silver Cross Hospital and a science lab at Providence High School. But many donations were done quietly. And Brown often paid tuition for grade school, high school and college students, Morrissette said.
Brown — who was a strong, serious and extremely religious man — and his wife did not have children of their own, "But through the decades he has mentored many young professionals like myself," Morrissette said.
Brown graduated from Joliet Township High School and he received an engineering degree from Northwestern University. Morrissette said Brown did not want to sit in an office his entire career, so he decided to start his own earthmoving business. Company folklore has it that Brown and his wife lived above his mother's garage for seven years while he built his company along with friend Paul Lambrecht. The company was purchased in 1986 by Lambrecht's son Tom, who died in a car crash in 2003.
Last year, several auctions were held to sell off equipment as the company, renamed Lambrecht Construction, began "winding down," according to Ritchie Bros. auctioneers. The company was a member of the Engineering News Record's Top 400 contractors and was one of the largest heavy civil contractors in the United States.
Morrissette said the business did work on Interstate 80, at both Chicago airports, and on giant highway and airport projects throughout the country.
"He was very smart and very hard working," said Morrissette, who worked at Brown & Lambrecht 30 years ago. "At his company, you either worked hard or you didn't stick around."
Morrissette said Brown was an incredible man from an amazing generation of people who built companies and gave back to their communities.
"I just hope the next generation or two picks up the leadership mantle," he said.
Brown was a director at Amerifed Savings, a trustee of the Operating Engineers pension fund and a trustee emeritus at the University of St. Francis. He also was a member of Joliet Rotary, Joliet Country Club and Old Marsh Golf Club. He "will be remembered as a skilled pilot, world traveler, avid sportsman and enthusiastic card player," according to an obituary submitted by his family.
Visitation will be from 3 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Fred C. Dames Funeral Home, 3200 Black Road. A funeral service will begin at 9 a.m. Thursday from the funeral home to St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 404 N. Hickory St., where a Mass will be officiated by the Most Rev. Bishop Imesch at 10:00 a.m.
************
Laverne S. "Bitz" Brown, age 89, Saturday morning, November 9, 2013 at his home in the arms of his loving wife, Dottie.
Born in Joliet, April 19, 1924. Preceded in death by parents, Seward and Florence (Wilhelmi) Brown; brother, Wayne Brown; mother and father-in-law, Frank and Rose Maxwell; sister-in-law, Lorraine Bily; brother-in-law, Frank Maxwell; and niece, Marybeth Dopudja. Survived by his devoted wife of 67 years, Dorothy Maxwell Brown; sisters-in-law, Joan (Laverne "Chip" deceased) Vollmer and Betty Maxwell; brother-in-law, James (Mary) Bily; nephews, James (Emi) Brown, Jim (Linda) Bily, Tim (Nadine) Bily, Mike (Christy) Bily, Patrick (Julie) Bily, Mark (Jan) Maxwell and Michael (Janine) Vollmer; nieces, Candy (Mike) Wagner, Cindy (Jeff) Bily, Marcia Maxwell, Sharon (Jack) Tweedle and Susan (John) Reed; numerous cousins, great-nieces and nephews; faithful cousin, Marlene Walker; and many dear friends.
'Bitz' was a graduate of Joliet Township High School Class of 1942, Northwestern University, and was awarded the Doctor of Humane Letters from the University of St. Francis. He proudly served with the United States Navy during World War II.
With his good friend, Paul Lambrecht, he founded Brown & Lambrecht Earthmovers. He served as a Director of Amerifed Savings, Trustee of the Operating Engineers Pension Fund, Trustee Emeritus of the University of St. Francis, and a member of Lewis University President's Council, Joliet Rotary, Joliet Country Club and Old Marsh Golf Club. He was also an Associate of the Joliet Franciscans. He was the recipient of many civic and charitable awards for dedicated service and thoughtful generosity, and will be remembered as a skilled pilot, world traveler, avid sportsman and enthusiastic card player.
Funeral Services for Laverne Brown will be Thursday, November 14, 2013 at 9:00 a.m. from the Fred C. Dames Funeral Home, 3200 Black at Essington Rds., Joliet to St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 404 N. Hickory Street, Joliet where a Concelebrated Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m., with the Most Rev. Joseph L. Imesch, presiding. Entombment will be in Resurrection Mausoleum, Romeoville, IL. Visitation Wednesday 3:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Published: The Herald News, Joliet - November 11, 2013
JOLIET — Laverne 'Bitz' Brown, who co-founded Brown & Lambrecht Earth Movers in 1947, died Saturday at his Joliet home. He was 89.
Brown, a U.S. Navy veteran who served during World War II, is survived by his wife, Dorothy 'Dottie' Brown of 67 years.
"It's a huge loss for the community," said Steve Morrissette, a business professor at the University of St. Francis who knew Brown for 30 years. "His leadership and generosity will be very difficult to replace."
Brown served on many boards, received many awards, traveled extensively — often in a private plane he piloted — and built his company into one that provided thousands of good-paying jobs for decades, Morrissette said. But it's Brown's generosity that was the most striking, he added.
"He would donate equipment, people and materials all the time," he said.
Some of his donations are named in his honor, including a wing at Silver Cross Hospital and a science lab at Providence High School. But many donations were done quietly. And Brown often paid tuition for grade school, high school and college students, Morrissette said.
Brown — who was a strong, serious and extremely religious man — and his wife did not have children of their own, "But through the decades he has mentored many young professionals like myself," Morrissette said.
Brown graduated from Joliet Township High School and he received an engineering degree from Northwestern University. Morrissette said Brown did not want to sit in an office his entire career, so he decided to start his own earthmoving business. Company folklore has it that Brown and his wife lived above his mother's garage for seven years while he built his company along with friend Paul Lambrecht. The company was purchased in 1986 by Lambrecht's son Tom, who died in a car crash in 2003.
Last year, several auctions were held to sell off equipment as the company, renamed Lambrecht Construction, began "winding down," according to Ritchie Bros. auctioneers. The company was a member of the Engineering News Record's Top 400 contractors and was one of the largest heavy civil contractors in the United States.
Morrissette said the business did work on Interstate 80, at both Chicago airports, and on giant highway and airport projects throughout the country.
"He was very smart and very hard working," said Morrissette, who worked at Brown & Lambrecht 30 years ago. "At his company, you either worked hard or you didn't stick around."
Morrissette said Brown was an incredible man from an amazing generation of people who built companies and gave back to their communities.
"I just hope the next generation or two picks up the leadership mantle," he said.
Brown was a director at Amerifed Savings, a trustee of the Operating Engineers pension fund and a trustee emeritus at the University of St. Francis. He also was a member of Joliet Rotary, Joliet Country Club and Old Marsh Golf Club. He "will be remembered as a skilled pilot, world traveler, avid sportsman and enthusiastic card player," according to an obituary submitted by his family.
Visitation will be from 3 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Fred C. Dames Funeral Home, 3200 Black Road. A funeral service will begin at 9 a.m. Thursday from the funeral home to St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 404 N. Hickory St., where a Mass will be officiated by the Most Rev. Bishop Imesch at 10:00 a.m.
************
Laverne S. "Bitz" Brown, age 89, Saturday morning, November 9, 2013 at his home in the arms of his loving wife, Dottie.
Born in Joliet, April 19, 1924. Preceded in death by parents, Seward and Florence (Wilhelmi) Brown; brother, Wayne Brown; mother and father-in-law, Frank and Rose Maxwell; sister-in-law, Lorraine Bily; brother-in-law, Frank Maxwell; and niece, Marybeth Dopudja. Survived by his devoted wife of 67 years, Dorothy Maxwell Brown; sisters-in-law, Joan (Laverne "Chip" deceased) Vollmer and Betty Maxwell; brother-in-law, James (Mary) Bily; nephews, James (Emi) Brown, Jim (Linda) Bily, Tim (Nadine) Bily, Mike (Christy) Bily, Patrick (Julie) Bily, Mark (Jan) Maxwell and Michael (Janine) Vollmer; nieces, Candy (Mike) Wagner, Cindy (Jeff) Bily, Marcia Maxwell, Sharon (Jack) Tweedle and Susan (John) Reed; numerous cousins, great-nieces and nephews; faithful cousin, Marlene Walker; and many dear friends.
'Bitz' was a graduate of Joliet Township High School Class of 1942, Northwestern University, and was awarded the Doctor of Humane Letters from the University of St. Francis. He proudly served with the United States Navy during World War II.
With his good friend, Paul Lambrecht, he founded Brown & Lambrecht Earthmovers. He served as a Director of Amerifed Savings, Trustee of the Operating Engineers Pension Fund, Trustee Emeritus of the University of St. Francis, and a member of Lewis University President's Council, Joliet Rotary, Joliet Country Club and Old Marsh Golf Club. He was also an Associate of the Joliet Franciscans. He was the recipient of many civic and charitable awards for dedicated service and thoughtful generosity, and will be remembered as a skilled pilot, world traveler, avid sportsman and enthusiastic card player.
Funeral Services for Laverne Brown will be Thursday, November 14, 2013 at 9:00 a.m. from the Fred C. Dames Funeral Home, 3200 Black at Essington Rds., Joliet to St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 404 N. Hickory Street, Joliet where a Concelebrated Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m., with the Most Rev. Joseph L. Imesch, presiding. Entombment will be in Resurrection Mausoleum, Romeoville, IL. Visitation Wednesday 3:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Brown & Lambrecht founder ‘Bitz' Brown, 89, of Joliet, dies
Published: The Herald News, Joliet - November 11, 2013
JOLIET — Laverne 'Bitz' Brown, who co-founded Brown & Lambrecht Earth Movers in 1947, died Saturday at his Joliet home. He was 89.
Brown, a U.S. Navy veteran who served during World War II, is survived by his wife, Dorothy 'Dottie' Brown of 67 years.
"It's a huge loss for the community," said Steve Morrissette, a business professor at the University of St. Francis who knew Brown for 30 years. "His leadership and generosity will be very difficult to replace."
Brown served on many boards, received many awards, traveled extensively — often in a private plane he piloted — and built his company into one that provided thousands of good-paying jobs for decades, Morrissette said. But it's Brown's generosity that was the most striking, he added.
"He would donate equipment, people and materials all the time," he said.
Some of his donations are named in his honor, including a wing at Silver Cross Hospital and a science lab at Providence High School. But many donations were done quietly. And Brown often paid tuition for grade school, high school and college students, Morrissette said.
Brown — who was a strong, serious and extremely religious man — and his wife did not have children of their own, "But through the decades he has mentored many young professionals like myself," Morrissette said.
Brown graduated from Joliet Township High School and he received an engineering degree from Northwestern University. Morrissette said Brown did not want to sit in an office his entire career, so he decided to start his own earthmoving business. Company folklore has it that Brown and his wife lived above his mother's garage for seven years while he built his company along with friend Paul Lambrecht. The company was purchased in 1986 by Lambrecht's son Tom, who died in a car crash in 2003.
Last year, several auctions were held to sell off equipment as the company, renamed Lambrecht Construction, began "winding down," according to Ritchie Bros. auctioneers. The company was a member of the Engineering News Record's Top 400 contractors and was one of the largest heavy civil contractors in the United States.
Morrissette said the business did work on Interstate 80, at both Chicago airports, and on giant highway and airport projects throughout the country.
"He was very smart and very hard working," said Morrissette, who worked at Brown & Lambrecht 30 years ago. "At his company, you either worked hard or you didn't stick around."
Morrissette said Brown was an incredible man from an amazing generation of people who built companies and gave back to their communities.
"I just hope the next generation or two picks up the leadership mantle," he said.
Brown was a director at Amerifed Savings, a trustee of the Operating Engineers pension fund and a trustee emeritus at the University of St. Francis. He also was a member of Joliet Rotary, Joliet Country Club and Old Marsh Golf Club. He "will be remembered as a skilled pilot, world traveler, avid sportsman and enthusiastic card player," according to an obituary submitted by his family.
Visitation will be from 3 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Fred C. Dames Funeral Home, 3200 Black Road. A funeral service will begin at 9 a.m. Thursday from the funeral home to St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 404 N. Hickory St., where a Mass will be officiated by the Most Rev. Bishop Imesch at 10:00 a.m.
************
Laverne S. "Bitz" Brown, age 89, Saturday morning, November 9, 2013 at his home in the arms of his loving wife, Dottie.
Born in Joliet, April 19, 1924. Preceded in death by parents, Seward and Florence (Wilhelmi) Brown; brother, Wayne Brown; mother and father-in-law, Frank and Rose Maxwell; sister-in-law, Lorraine Bily; brother-in-law, Frank Maxwell; and niece, Marybeth Dopudja. Survived by his devoted wife of 67 years, Dorothy Maxwell Brown; sisters-in-law, Joan (Laverne "Chip" deceased) Vollmer and Betty Maxwell; brother-in-law, James (Mary) Bily; nephews, James (Emi) Brown, Jim (Linda) Bily, Tim (Nadine) Bily, Mike (Christy) Bily, Patrick (Julie) Bily, Mark (Jan) Maxwell and Michael (Janine) Vollmer; nieces, Candy (Mike) Wagner, Cindy (Jeff) Bily, Marcia Maxwell, Sharon (Jack) Tweedle and Susan (John) Reed; numerous cousins, great-nieces and nephews; faithful cousin, Marlene Walker; and many dear friends.
'Bitz' was a graduate of Joliet Township High School Class of 1942, Northwestern University, and was awarded the Doctor of Humane Letters from the University of St. Francis. He proudly served with the United States Navy during World War II.
With his good friend, Paul Lambrecht, he founded Brown & Lambrecht Earthmovers. He served as a Director of Amerifed Savings, Trustee of the Operating Engineers Pension Fund, Trustee Emeritus of the University of St. Francis, and a member of Lewis University President's Council, Joliet Rotary, Joliet Country Club and Old Marsh Golf Club. He was also an Associate of the Joliet Franciscans. He was the recipient of many civic and charitable awards for dedicated service and thoughtful generosity, and will be remembered as a skilled pilot, world traveler, avid sportsman and enthusiastic card player.
Funeral Services for Laverne Brown will be Thursday, November 14, 2013 at 9:00 a.m. from the Fred C. Dames Funeral Home, 3200 Black at Essington Rds., Joliet to St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 404 N. Hickory Street, Joliet where a Concelebrated Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m., with the Most Rev. Joseph L. Imesch, presiding. Entombment will be in Resurrection Mausoleum, Romeoville, IL. Visitation Wednesday 3:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Published: The Herald News, Joliet - November 11, 2013
JOLIET — Laverne 'Bitz' Brown, who co-founded Brown & Lambrecht Earth Movers in 1947, died Saturday at his Joliet home. He was 89.
Brown, a U.S. Navy veteran who served during World War II, is survived by his wife, Dorothy 'Dottie' Brown of 67 years.
"It's a huge loss for the community," said Steve Morrissette, a business professor at the University of St. Francis who knew Brown for 30 years. "His leadership and generosity will be very difficult to replace."
Brown served on many boards, received many awards, traveled extensively — often in a private plane he piloted — and built his company into one that provided thousands of good-paying jobs for decades, Morrissette said. But it's Brown's generosity that was the most striking, he added.
"He would donate equipment, people and materials all the time," he said.
Some of his donations are named in his honor, including a wing at Silver Cross Hospital and a science lab at Providence High School. But many donations were done quietly. And Brown often paid tuition for grade school, high school and college students, Morrissette said.
Brown — who was a strong, serious and extremely religious man — and his wife did not have children of their own, "But through the decades he has mentored many young professionals like myself," Morrissette said.
Brown graduated from Joliet Township High School and he received an engineering degree from Northwestern University. Morrissette said Brown did not want to sit in an office his entire career, so he decided to start his own earthmoving business. Company folklore has it that Brown and his wife lived above his mother's garage for seven years while he built his company along with friend Paul Lambrecht. The company was purchased in 1986 by Lambrecht's son Tom, who died in a car crash in 2003.
Last year, several auctions were held to sell off equipment as the company, renamed Lambrecht Construction, began "winding down," according to Ritchie Bros. auctioneers. The company was a member of the Engineering News Record's Top 400 contractors and was one of the largest heavy civil contractors in the United States.
Morrissette said the business did work on Interstate 80, at both Chicago airports, and on giant highway and airport projects throughout the country.
"He was very smart and very hard working," said Morrissette, who worked at Brown & Lambrecht 30 years ago. "At his company, you either worked hard or you didn't stick around."
Morrissette said Brown was an incredible man from an amazing generation of people who built companies and gave back to their communities.
"I just hope the next generation or two picks up the leadership mantle," he said.
Brown was a director at Amerifed Savings, a trustee of the Operating Engineers pension fund and a trustee emeritus at the University of St. Francis. He also was a member of Joliet Rotary, Joliet Country Club and Old Marsh Golf Club. He "will be remembered as a skilled pilot, world traveler, avid sportsman and enthusiastic card player," according to an obituary submitted by his family.
Visitation will be from 3 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Fred C. Dames Funeral Home, 3200 Black Road. A funeral service will begin at 9 a.m. Thursday from the funeral home to St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 404 N. Hickory St., where a Mass will be officiated by the Most Rev. Bishop Imesch at 10:00 a.m.
************
Laverne S. "Bitz" Brown, age 89, Saturday morning, November 9, 2013 at his home in the arms of his loving wife, Dottie.
Born in Joliet, April 19, 1924. Preceded in death by parents, Seward and Florence (Wilhelmi) Brown; brother, Wayne Brown; mother and father-in-law, Frank and Rose Maxwell; sister-in-law, Lorraine Bily; brother-in-law, Frank Maxwell; and niece, Marybeth Dopudja. Survived by his devoted wife of 67 years, Dorothy Maxwell Brown; sisters-in-law, Joan (Laverne "Chip" deceased) Vollmer and Betty Maxwell; brother-in-law, James (Mary) Bily; nephews, James (Emi) Brown, Jim (Linda) Bily, Tim (Nadine) Bily, Mike (Christy) Bily, Patrick (Julie) Bily, Mark (Jan) Maxwell and Michael (Janine) Vollmer; nieces, Candy (Mike) Wagner, Cindy (Jeff) Bily, Marcia Maxwell, Sharon (Jack) Tweedle and Susan (John) Reed; numerous cousins, great-nieces and nephews; faithful cousin, Marlene Walker; and many dear friends.
'Bitz' was a graduate of Joliet Township High School Class of 1942, Northwestern University, and was awarded the Doctor of Humane Letters from the University of St. Francis. He proudly served with the United States Navy during World War II.
With his good friend, Paul Lambrecht, he founded Brown & Lambrecht Earthmovers. He served as a Director of Amerifed Savings, Trustee of the Operating Engineers Pension Fund, Trustee Emeritus of the University of St. Francis, and a member of Lewis University President's Council, Joliet Rotary, Joliet Country Club and Old Marsh Golf Club. He was also an Associate of the Joliet Franciscans. He was the recipient of many civic and charitable awards for dedicated service and thoughtful generosity, and will be remembered as a skilled pilot, world traveler, avid sportsman and enthusiastic card player.
Funeral Services for Laverne Brown will be Thursday, November 14, 2013 at 9:00 a.m. from the Fred C. Dames Funeral Home, 3200 Black at Essington Rds., Joliet to St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 404 N. Hickory Street, Joliet where a Concelebrated Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m., with the Most Rev. Joseph L. Imesch, presiding. Entombment will be in Resurrection Mausoleum, Romeoville, IL. Visitation Wednesday 3:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
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