Major Chester (Chet) Perkins Brown

BROWN-Major Chester Perkins (Chet) Brown, USAF (ret), 80 passed away on March 13, 2010. Born June 5, 1929 in Cambridge, MA to Lt Col Alphonso James and Alice H. Brown, Chet devoted his life to the service of his country and in improving the lives of others around him. Preceded in death by his parents; sister, Priscilla Stean and son Eric, Chet is survived by his wife of 33 years, Karen E. Brown of Rio Rancho; children Carl and wife Elaine of Las Cruces, Alan and wife Maureen of Elephant Butte, Carol and husband Paul Ritchie of Albuquerque, Neal and wife Wendy of Elephant Butte and Earl and wife Laurie of San Diego, CA; 22 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; sister Marjorie Brown of Bellevue, WA and several nieces and nephews. Chet served his country in the United States Air Force and was a combat veteran of the Korean and Vietnam wars. While serving in Vietnam he received the Silver Star for valor, two Distinguished Flying Crosses and three Air Metals for gallantry and bravery as a Huey Gunship Pilot serving with the 20th Helicopter Special Operations Squadron. Upon his retirement in 1970 Chet returned to school at UNM and received his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in recreation and public administration. He soon discovered the joy of hot air ballooning and was an active balloon pilot for twenty-five years. From 1997 to 2001 he served as a flying safety officer for the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. Chet was also a Board member of the Friends of Smokey Bear Balloon, an active State Park volunteer and a docent at the Anderson Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum. He was a member of High Desert United Methodist Church in Rio Rancho and a member of Albuquerque Lodge #60, AF&AM. He will be sorely missed by his family and many friends. Cremation has taken place and he will be interred at the National Cemetery in Santa Fe, NM. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Anderson Abruzzo International Balloon Museum Foundation, 9201 Balloon Museum Drive NE, Albuquerque, NM 87113, www.balloonmuseum.net; New Mexico State Parks Foundation, www.nmstateparksfoundation.com; Friends of Smokey Bear Balloon Inc., 5912 Jones Place NW, Albuquerque, NM 87120, www.smokeybearballoon.com; Balloon Explorium, Inc., P.O. Box 91566, Albuquerque, NM 87199, www.balloonexplorium.org. Arrangements are entrusted to: Daniels Family Funeral Services 4310 Sara Road SE Rio Rancho, NM 87124 505-892-9920