Obituary of Joseph Martin Brown
Bigger than life, that was Joey. He loved his family and friends above all else.
He was born to Sophie and John Brown and was raised in Montrose, New York. His mother and father, and stepfather Dick Walsh, played a huge role in his life and he always had a loving
affection for them. Joe was also predeceased by his first wife Sherry Otis Brown.
Joe was a social being, one who could start a conversation with anyone, anywhere, and in the end, you felt like he had just made a new friend. He had that innate ability to connect with
everyone, openly sharing his life, his views and adventures.
In his professional life, he was a pioneer in his field of microelectronic technology for more than 30 years. He began his career as a researcher at IBM, where he was responsible for the
fabrication of superconductors in the Josephson Junction program and media used in IBM’s optical storage project. After 10 years he became a new “whiz-kid” going to Silicon Valley,
where his focus on MEMS began in 1983 at TranSensory Devices (TDI), one of the first commercial MEMS startups. The novel processing methods he developed are still used in
production to this day. During this time, he was known locally as Downtown Joe Brown.
At his second start-up venture, NovaSensor, Joe initially designed and facilitated the fabrication processes, as he was responsible for all aspects of wafer fabrication. Later as Staff Scientist he managed strategic programs that resulted in a MEMS catheter used during heart surgeries, high temperature pressure sensors used on every space shuttle flight, and an ultra-high accuracy pressure sensor used on Boeing 747 engines.
He joined Suss MicroTec, a company headquartered in Germany, as MEMS Product Manager in October 1996, and was responsible for Suss’s MEMS business activities in North America and Asia.
In 2004 Joe conceived and co-founded SiTime, his third Silicon Valley startup. There Joe was responsible for Strategic Alliances and put together the supply chain for all aspects of product deployment from development to high volume production. He later established the company’s worldwide sales channels through distribution and sales representation. SiTime transformed the entire industry of MEMS, and now trades on the Nasdaq.
Joe became one of the most recognized world experts in MEMS technology and traveled the globe giving presentations and consulting. He has authored over 25 papers on MEMS processing and has several patents in MEMS technology. He has served as the elected chairman of the IMSG (International MEMS Steering Group) within SEMI, and has been part of the governing council at the MEMS Industry Group. Joe served on the executive board of directors at MANCEF, and provided guidance on the Industrial Advisory Board for the UC Berkeley Sensors and Actuator Center, and the Wireless Integrated MicroSystems program at the University of Michigan.
Joe was described as “a positive optimist; when others would see only the clouds and the approaching storm, he was there to assure the team a positive resolution could be found.”
Although his profession afforded him many opportunities to see the world, he was always drawn back to the place he loved the most, the Hudson Valley. There he would find friends and family and of course, “The Paradise” offering the best pizza in the world.
Joe had a passion for cars and motorcycles. There was nothing like heading out on his motorcycle on a beautiful day winding through the country roads. He spent hours puttering around his favorite cars, pampering them and keeping them running smoothly, and when he needed any advice he would head to the Gallon Measure Garage, a favorite hangout for him and the guys.
Joe was many things to many people:
To his friends: He was incredibly generous, always reaching out. He loved bringing old friends together and always maintained the friendships he made along the way. He initiated and organized reunions and get-togethers and you could always find Joe in the center laughing and enjoying every minute spent together.
To his siblings: Cissy Brown, Mary, and Tom Walsh he was the “big brother.” He was thoughtful, he was loving, always asking what was needed, always giving. A big guy with a big heart. A sensitive soul. Joe cherished family time.
To his nieces and nephews: Rachel and Jesse Freundlich, Mia Bibbiani, Ethan, and Devyn Walsh, Uncle Joey was funny, affectionate, and kind. Always interested in their lives and connecting with them on their level. Jesse remembers his famous steaks, Rachel his fast motorcycle rides, Ethan his love of the family dogs, Devyn his fun and happy personality, Mia his big, beautiful smile.
To his wife Daisy, the love of his life: Joe was everything and more. He was loving, devoted, supportive, and understanding - qualities that made them a dynamic team. He worked closely with Daisy to promote her music and expand her mission. He became the Founder and President of the Daisy Jopling Music Mentorship Foundation and worked to build opportunities for young people to enhance their love of music. He loved the interactions he had with the kids in Daisy’s programs.
Joe was a very special guy, he cared, he gave, he loved big, he shared so much with so many, most especially his beloved family and friends. It’s hard to imagine life without him. We will honor his memory, keeping him in our hearts and loving him forever.
Love you, Joe, always.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations be made to the www.JoeBrownMusicScholarshipFund.org to continue his dream of enhancing the lives of children through music and mentorship.
