The saddening information in regards to the lack of Hesston School alumnus and former worker Tony Brown filtered out to the larger campus group Monday, inflicting many to cease and mirror on the exceptionally optimistic impression Brown had on everybody who crossed his path. Brown died Could 22, 2023 after a quick sickness.
“What I skilled personally, and noticed in numerous interactions with others, was Tony’s unbelievable capability to attach with people by giving them his full consideration,” explains former Hesston School president Loren Swartzendruber. “Former college students have commented that he remembered their names many years after graduating.”
Quite a few social media posts are proof of this assertion, together with this one from alumna Hannah Miller ’07. Miller writes, “Tony Brown was a beautiful human who has left a lot love and light-weight on this world. Like, I’m speaking, inspiring worldwide performer and influencer for peace and justice, y’all! And the way fortunate had been we to have caught time in his orbit!! I’ll bear in mind Tony for the best way he made you’re feeling: such as you had been the good, most valued and fascinating human within the room. He was at all times in your group. His method was magnetic … Eleven years after our HC commencement this group occurred to be having an “Oregon weekend” and we caught wind that Tony was going to be acting at Albany Mennonite. Sure, eleven years after commencement we wished to go see him, and sure, eleven years after commencement he knew us all by title and was so excited that we shocked him! It was a extremely particular morning with a person whose legacy will ripple indefinitely.”
“A track by Alia Gonzales, ‘Every Different’s Gentle,’ grew to become the title of one in all his albums and Tony’s signature track,” pal and former Hesston School Bible professor John Sharp displays, “and he was a light-weight. He was a light-weight to many people.”
As one other pal and colleague Dallas Stutzman, former Hesston School alumni director, shares, Brown’s gentle shone brightly by pulling folks collectively by an concept of oneness of humanity that emphasised similarities somewhat than variations. “He went at all times looking for to know, looking for to study, looking for to develop from others, to not be the one to impart the knowledge. Though he did share knowledge, and introduced his music, his message was therapeutic and hope to the world, by songs and tales, and what a present that was to folks. They usually responded to that.”
A member of the faculty’s class of 1969, Brown returned to campus in fall 2000 to show sociology and anthropology and function artist in residence, a one yr sabbatical from his obligations as assistant director of scholar counseling providers on the College of Washington. Brown linked rapidly with the faculty group, his love for the folks of Hesston reignited.
Through the years he taught quite a lot of programs, endorsed and inspired innumerable college students and have become a mentor and position mannequin for all of campus. On the identical time he stretched his vocal and relational skills, founding the Peacing It Collectively Basis which supported his journey to work together with and sing for folks in battle in locations like Bosnia and Belfast, Vietnam and Thailand.
Brown developed and carried out “I Go On Singing: Paul Robeson’s Life in Phrase and Music,” a present that celebrated the life and accomplishments of the good American opera singer, scholar, activist and athlete. The present debuted at Wichita’s Orpheum Theater Feb. 21, 2012, and Tony carried out it as lately as spring 2023. Brown additionally developed “Widespread Threads” with Bible professor John Sharp, a present that shared the experiences of African Individuals and that of the early Anabaptists, and a present “Songs and Tales of Peace, Hope and Justice,” which premiered in March 2020.
Hesston School college students, college and employees had been all blessed by Tony throughout his almost 20 yr tenure with the faculty. Throughout that point, the larger campus group had a entrance row seat to his ministry of constructing peace by music. Stuzman went on to share a narrative from a efficiency he and Brown did for a congregation on the east coast that was very numerous in tradition, age, non secular background and way more.
“And at one level Tony sang, ‘He’s bought the entire world in His arms.’ And that group of youngsters spontaneously, due to who Tony was, who he delivered to the event in each live performance that he ever offered, was to contain folks within the efficiency, to worth them as a part of the efficiency, to hunt their understanding, additionally to share his. Nevertheless it was a joint efficiency. It wasn’t nearly him and his showmanship,” Stuzman remembers. “It was in regards to the viewers and by no means extra represented than the kids of that congregation instantaneously seeing his vitality and energy and energy that he introduced and wished them to be concerned in that, to answer him in that track, ‘He’s bought the entire world,’ and so they instantly stated, ‘in his arms.’ And perhaps they knew that track earlier than, however they had been drawn to him and the humanity, the oneness that all of us had been collectively. And people youngsters represented it so effectively of their response to him.”
As a detailed pal, Stuzman was in a position to see the sunshine Brown was to Hesston School as a complete, and that Brown’s funding was not returned void. “Tony introduced pleasure, and he introduced therapeutic to folks within the establishment and vice versa. The establishment and the people who had been there introduced a lot pleasure and luxury to him and methods to get by our sorrow,” explains Stutzman. “The thinker Gibran talks in regards to the ache and sorrow that carves out our soul leaves room for the enjoyment, and I feel Tony lived that method. It wasn’t that he didn’t have ache. He did in so some ways. However he discovered the enjoyment in every little thing and that’s why all of us cared for him a lot.”
It’s clear that Tony Brown leaves a long-lasting legacy to the multitude he influenced close to and much. As present Hesston School President Joseph A. Manickam places it, “In all my travels, I’ve by no means met an individual beloved by so many around the globe. Tony’s present to the world was his capacity to deliver collectively recognized enemies by the present of his music and storytelling. Tony’s love for all people and his capacity to simply join throughout boundaries was a uncommon trait.”
Brown’s peace constructing initiatives and musical skills had been a uncommon present to this world that may impression generations to come back, however there’s one other present Swartzendruber believes Brown would need others to obtain.
“By no means had been phrases of a religious extra true than Tony proclaiming with gusto, ‘I Know de Lord’s Laid His Arms on Me,’” Swartzendruber reveals. “In Tony’s humble spirit, he would need us all to say that present.”
An interview of Tony Brown by Victor Hogstrom of PBS Kansas – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-0n7pWW_jY
Further Tony Brown tales and reflections from Fb feedback:
Chris Thuma, Hesston School class of 2014:
I had utterly forgotten I had this photograph of me and Tony Brown again once I graduated from Hesston School in 2014. Tony was probably the most influential folks I had ever met in my life. He was so variety and considerate to everybody he met. He actually was one in all a sort. One in all my favourite professors whereas I used to be at Hesston. He was intuitive, charming, sensible and an incredible listener. He challenged me to assume outdoors the field on a regular basis. I’ll always remember the discussions we had about life and the best way to dwell as an individual of colour on this nation. I really was blessed to know you Tony. (used with permission)
RayAnnon (Bluemel) Jean, Hesston School class of 2011:
At the moment, the primary professor in school to encourage me, Tony Brown, handed onto his ultimate journey.
Social Welfare. Freshman yr spring 2010. I bear in mind it prefer it was yesterday as I watched him assist open the minds of my classmates & I, develop deeper into what it meant to place humanity on the forefront of all conditions and encourage me that my thoughts was an exquisite place. He stayed a relentless supporter in my life and I’ll at all times worth my one semester of getting the prospect to study from such a soulful thoughts. Fairly often I’m reminded of what he shared in on a regular basis conditions. Particularly lately as I watched intently for restoration updates, and couldn’t assist however reminisce on these phrases of knowledge.
I’m saddened to know you’re gone, however so grateful that I perceive how a lot my ache means you merely formed my life. You’ll nonetheless encourage me, whether or not right here or there. (used with permission)
Michele (Schrock) Hershberger, Bible prof, Hesston School class of 1981:
There are few folks on this world who actually exemplify Jesus. Tony Brown was one in all them. Wealthy in mercy. Type. Clever. I used to be so very honored to have recognized him and name him pal.
Tony, John Sharp, and I led a gaggle of Hesston School college students on a studying tour of Selma. And I watched Tony train about justice not solely with phrases however together with his life.
Tony, I do know you’re singing with Jesus proper now! I hope you possibly can hear how a lot all of us beloved you!
Tricia Montano Gingerich, Hesston School class of 2007:
Typically you don’t notice the impression somebody has had in your life till their passing causes you to pause and mirror.
By no means as soon as did I stroll away from an interplay with Tony Brown with out a smile on my face and an uplifted spirit. Most significantly, although, as a wandering younger grownup looking for my very own sense of that means and goal, it was Tony who noticed me, at my core, and nudged me within the route of social work (y’all I began school considering I wished to do Secondary Schooling). And THAT path, by schooling, coaching, jobs, and other people I’ve met alongside the best way, has made me who I’m in the present day.
If there was a “I’m a greater particular person for realizing Tony Brown” Fb group, there would undoubtedly be a gazillion members from everywhere in the globe. What a blessing he was to this world. (used with permission)
Savannah (Sizer) Clarkston, Hesston School class of 2015:
My coronary heart is damaged realizing you might be gone in the present day. I may by no means say sufficient good issues about Tony Brown or as we favored to name him, Downtown Tony Brown. He was one in all my mentors at Hesston School and I look again fondly on all of the actually inspiring issues he stated to me throughout my time there. We might discuss life, my struggles, peace, and religion. He at all times knew precisely what to say and left me with a lot to consider. What an unbelievable man with an exceptional voice who introduced so many pleasure. His impression on this world won’t ever fade. You can be missed, Tony. Praying for your loved ones and smiling as I do know you might be with Christ now.
Dalia Othman, Hesston School class of 2007:
R.I.P Expensive Tony Brown. One stunning particular person, one stunning soul who touched so many lives in such an incredible method. I bear in mind once I would have unhealthy days in Hesston school, I’d go speak to you in your workplace as a result of I knew you’d cheer me up with the most important smile in your face and provides me phrases of knowledge to get me by the day! You at all times had a optimistic perspective that I admired. Heaven undoubtedly gained an angel with an incredible gifted voice.
Josh Lightsey, Hesston School class of 2013:
I spent nearly as a lot time in his workplace as I did in my dorm room. We shared music with each other, shared tales behind our songs, and inspired each other on the journey. This man adjustments my life within the few years I bought to satisfy him. All the time made me really feel like a celeb once I walked within the room. All the time had the time for me once I wanted it most. He gave me hope in the midst of what was probably probably the most annoying years of my life.
He will likely be missed dearly and I’ll endlessly treasure the moments we shared collectively.
Jessica Schrock-Ringenberg, former Bible prof and board member, Hesston School class of 2002:
My first yr as a scholar was additionally Tony’s first yr as artist in residence. As part of working with communications I had the chance to interview him after his journeys. This was probably the most life altering “job” to take a seat and speak to Tony. He made everybody really feel like he knew them for a lifetime.
Coming from a small rural white city Tony was the primary African American I had ever had dialog with at size. He was the embodiment of grace and peace and pleasure.
From former president Loren Swartzendruber:
I as soon as requested Tony the way it was that he determined to enroll at Hesston School. He and Larry Diener, additionally a musician, had been pals at Central Christian College in Kidron Ohio. After commencement in 1967 Tony stopped to see Larry on his method from Pittsburgh to start research at Prairie Bible Institute in western Canada. Larry’s mom stated, “Tony, it is best to enroll at Hesston School.” To which Tony responded, “I’ve by no means been to Hesston.” And he or she stated, “Properly, you’ve by no means been to Prairie Bible Institute both. Let’s name President Tilman Smith to see should you may be admitted to Hesston.” And, as they are saying, the remaining is historical past. Had it not been for Larry’s mom’s encouragement, absolutely Spirit-promoted, Tony wouldn’t have attended Hesston School and Goshen School, and should not have ever made such an incredible impression on the Mennonite Church and much past.
On one event throughout his time on college at Hesston School Tony was invited to sing the nationwide anthem at a Seattle Mariners baseball sport and we deliberate an alumni occasion on the ballpark. Many of the group sat within the higher proper area deck the place they unfurled a big banner, “Tony Brown Rocks” as he sang. Later within the night he was approached by somebody within the Los Angeles Dodgers group to ask if he would do the identical at a Dodgers sport. To my information, that by no means occurred.
Throughout my final three years on the school we traveled, typically with Dallas Stutzman, director of alumni relations, to numerous communities on behalf of the faculty. Our alumni and donor pals totally loved listening to Tony’s stunning and resonant baritone voice. As all of us who knew Tony bear in mind him, he linked at a deep degree with everybody by his music and interpersonally. It was on a type of journeys, to a school golf profit in Arizona, that Tony launched me to his sister, La Verne Brown Diggs and her husband. In subsequent years I had the enjoyment of assembly different members of Tony’s prolonged household. In March 2004 Tony honored Pat and me by singing at my inauguration at Jap Mennonite College.
One interplay in Lancaster Pa., offered a humorous reminiscence that we shared many occasions within the following years. Dallas, Tony, and I checked right into a motel throughout the road from Lancaster Mennonite College and we had been on the lookout for a spot to eat dinner. Tony requested the desk clerk, “What are you able to inform us in regards to the Lapp’s restaurant simply down the road? Is it owned by Mennonites?” To which she responded, “Actually, I don’t know a lot about them. However I’m considering they could be Amish-Individuals.” In fact, Tony would by no means have embarrassed the clerk however we loved a great chuckle as we exited the foyer.
Tony requested Erika to name me on his telephone from the hospital a day or two after his stroke in mid-April. (I’ve realized since his loss of life that he made related calls to numerous long-time pals.) We communicated often through Fb and I had only a day earlier requested if he had seen a Washington Submit story on the desecration of a Paul Robeson mural. He didn’t reply to my inquiry which was uncommon and stunning. We by no means did discuss that article. It was an incredible dialog; he was energized, verbally agile, and as at all times, deeply engaged. I’d by no means have guessed he had had a stroke if I hadn’t seen an earlier communication. After I realized of his sudden most cancers prognosis I knew I wished to see him as quickly as potential.
I had about an hour with Tony and Erika the afternoon he returned house underneath hospice care. By then he was not notably verbal however he was conscious of my presence and we chatted about good recollections. I assured him that a whole lot of pals had been praying and that his life had touched hundreds of individuals all around the globe. On Sunday morning I sat with him for only a few minutes, reciting Psalm 23. I stated, “I’m going to recite this within the language of the King James Model which you’d have generally known as a younger boy within the Pentecostal church.” He was in a position to end a number of of the phrases, however I knew he was fading rapidly. At one level he stated in a deep groan, “Oh, Loren, I don’t assume we’re going to make it.” Laborious phrases to listen to from a pricey pal!
Erika gifted me two of Tony’s CDs as I left them, one in all them with quite a few spirituals anticipating a brand new life in heaven, free from the bondage of slavery. What an unforgettable expertise–driving 5 hours again house listening to Tony’s wonderful baritone voice, ‘In Shiny Mansions Above,” “Good Information! Chariot’s Comin’” “I’ve Bought a Gown, You’ve Bought a Gown, All God’s Youngsters Bought a Gown,” and “If You Get There Earlier than I Do, Inform Them I’m Coming Too.” As my mom would have stated, “My tears watered a variety of crops alongside the freeway.” None of us is aware of for sure what lies past our earthly sojourn however I can simply think about Tony accompanying a celestial choir singing, “Go Down Moses” as he did in 1968 with the Hesston School choir. By no means had been phrases of a religious extra true than Tony proclaiming with gusto, “I Know de Lord’s Laid His Arms on Me.” In Tony’s humble spirit he would need us all to say that present. Relaxation in peace, brother Tony. I miss you!
From former alumni director Dallas Stutzman:
A gaggle of us from the faculty left early within the morning from Wichita on a efficiency circuit. We flew into Chicago, everyone hungry, discovered the primary diner that we may, near Chicago O’Hare. All of us had been sitting in a sales space having rowdy, boisterous, raucous conversations. The waitress comes and, as you already know, Tony valued each waitress or wait particular person he ever met, wished to know their title, wished to know a bit bit about them, valued them in what they needed to say and what their day was like and valued them in response to their service with substantial tip. It didn’t matter an individual’s standing to Tony, he might be performing within the biggest live performance halls in entrance of individuals with all types of place and energy and fame and monetary sources or speaking with the waitress on this case. Folks had been all the identical to him. It speaks to his oneness of humanity perception. Earlier than the time was over, we’d gotten to know her title, we discovered it was her birthday, we sang in the perfect concord that we may with our group, and he or she actually wept in entrance of us, stated it was the perfect birthday that she’d ever had and he or she so valued that trade and our curiosity, our concern for her and we left along with her feeling valued, us feeling blessed by the dialog.
Whether or not it was Nice American Music, The Spirituals, the Robeson present, Songs and Tales of Peace, Hope and Justice, on and on and on – it was the music nevertheless it wasn’t the music. It was what Tony delivered to it and he crossed all boundaries of curiosity, of age strata and gender and place. And each type of particular person, due to who Tony was, introduced that richness and curiosity to every little thing. And as soon as they had been there and skilled that, they had been challenged and delivered to new issues to contemplate and take into consideration – what may they do about issues? How may they alter issues? The phrases had been so significant and Tony’s vitality and charisma introduced that about in folks and challenged them.
I used to be with Tony on the rehabilitation hospital. There have been procedures occurring. Bodily therapists got here and, after which a bit bit later, occupational therapists, and we had been with them a bit bit. Then they requested us to step out. The nurse and occupational therapists had been there with him and dealing with him to start working at these issues that wanted to occur for him together with his stroke situation. However issues weren’t going effectively. Slightly bit later they requested me to come back into the room, stated Tony had requested for me. I held his hand and we hung out collectively and all of us had been encouraging him to work at a few of these steps. And what I used to be struck by was, to start with, the nurse and the therapist’s recognition of the person who Tony was, the depth of who he was and their worth for him. They knew him, valued him, sought to do the perfect for him in a extremely powerful and exhausting troublesome state of affairs. As Tony and I interacted collectively, they noticed, I feel, some issues that solidified their view of Tony. They noticed him and the 2 of us in our relationship, the depth, the standard of who Tony was, who we had been collectively, and what was our lifestyle to one another and to the world. It was a second in time. And at that time, I feel the 4 of us had been collectively and united in that second, a troublesome second. And but by that I feel all of us started to see one another’s gentle. If we will see one another’s gentle, then we may be one another’s gentle and we may be united in that. I feel that occurred in that little microcosm of the oneness of humanity, all wanting the perfect in exhausting circumstances, not perhaps ending up the best way you wished it to. However I’ll always remember that second and that togetherness of the 4 of us and dealing for the perfect for Tony and what he embodied for all of us as effectively.
You already know, I feel Tony made a mistake in 2000, to come back to Heston. You already know he had the world by the tail in some methods. Assistant Director of Pupil Counseling Providers on the College of Washington, a significant college, all of the issues that he had in that place. And but there was some dissatisfaction for him. And I feel he bought known as again to the roots of his being, when he was a scholar there and what that meant to him and it was thrilling for him to come back again. And when he did come again, I feel he discovered his house, his actual house. And I feel every little thing that Heston School is and embodied was enticing to Tony. And I feel every little thing that Tony was, was enticing and embodied the opposite route as effectively. Hesston School has been so recognized for its relationships, its emphasis on and worth of the scholars and private relationships. Tony match into that. I feel he embodied that again in every little thing that he was. That lives on a lot. You take a look at the Fb posts in the present day and the impression that he’s had on the scholars, each from a classroom perspective but additionally of their relationship, how a lot they had been valued by him as an individual and as a professor, and looking for the perfect for them. And so in some methods, they had been synonymous. Tony stated numerous occasions that Hesston School was every little thing to him. He selected Hesston School. He may have gone anyplace, in any Mennonite circle, in any circle, and performed something. And he selected Hesston, Hesston selected him. And 20 years later, it’s been every little thing that it wanted to be – for college students, for alumni, the title recognition of Tony Brown and Hesston School are nearly synonymous. What a present he’s been to the Church, to schooling within the Church, to Hesston School, and the way a lot they’ve given life to him as effectively in return. And he simply extraordinarily valued all of that.
I bear in mind catching a flight with Tony and Ken, ready for the aircraft to take off and Tony’s telephone rings. Listening to bits and items of this dialog, it was a really particular dialog. It got here from Ricky Richard Anywar, a former youngster soldier within the Lord’s Resistance Military of northern Uganda. And his expertise of dropping his household to the military after which being a baby soldier, despatched to kill his family as a lot of them had been. And Ricky’s want for constructing an orphanage for these youngsters and providing them job expertise coaching. I’ll always remember that day and listening to Tony’s curiosity and compassion and willingness to pay attention and listen to the plight of that state of affairs after which looking for to do what he may to help, which led to, from that one telephone dialog, to 2 visits to Uganda, Ken and Tony going and singing earlier than an outside live performance in entrance of 10,000 plus folks, providing their phrases of therapeutic and hope to that state of affairs and to study and perceive. It led to the institution of the Anthony Brown Baritone College for college students of the orphanage to help them and a strong end result that got here from that one little telephone name and go to of Ricky Richard to the Hesston campus and to the U.S. and eager to proceed that effort. COVID slowed every little thing down and Tony wasn’t in a position to do a number of the fund elevating he had hoped to do. That was disappointing for Tony however didn’t change his want and his coronary heart to supply the perfect that he may for Ricky Richard and the plight of these youngsters in northern Uganda.
