Christopher Lovett Brown

Christopher Lovett Brown, affectionately known as Toby, the Crab Whisperer and Chris by his family and close friends, was born in Washington, DC, to Evelyn Lovett Brown and David Springer Brown. The second of four children, he is survived by his son, Nathaniel R. Brown and his daughter, Kimberly E. Brown, both residents of Park City, UT. He is also survived by his three siblings David S. Brown, Jr. (Christina Rockrise) of Seattle, WA, Robert L. Brown (Brooke Alexander) of Arlington, VA, Adele Q. Brown (Dan Nelken) of New York City, and his stepmother Anne Brown of Washington, D.C.

 Christopher leaves behind a vibrant legacy as a volunteer in Bellingham, WA. With a curious mind, gentle nature, and an educator’s knack for engaging with others, he was a dedicated steward of both flora and fauna, including his favorite Oregon Spotted Frog. Chris was happiest on his rowboat on Chuckanut Bay where he regularly caught fresh Dungeness crab and earned the sobriquet, the Crab Whisperer.

 He loved his various volunteer assignments, whether counting salmon in the streams, participating in the Whatcom County Amphibian Monitoring Program, teaching curious kids about ‘Onyx the Octopus’ at the Marine Life Center in Bellingham Harbor, searching for invasive green crabs with the Washington Dept of Fish and Wildlife’s Crab Team, or dissecting fish in middle school science classrooms. 

 Christopher attended St. Stephen’s School in Alexandria, VA, and spent summers In Marlboro, Maine, fishing and digging for clams with his family. He graduated from Beloit College in Wisconsin (1970) where he earned a BA in Anthropology. His graduate school studies in Anthropology at Washington State University (WSU) in Pullman, WA, were interrupted by the Vietnam War when he was drafted by the U.S. Army. After two years of military service, he returned to his graduate studies at WSU by way of Yellowstone National Park where he met his future wife, Connie Semple (later divorced). After many archaeological digs, Chris earned a MA from WSU in Archaeology. Go Cougs! Christopher and Connie raised their two children in Pullman, WA; Chris built his career at WSU in the Academic Advising Center where he worked until retiring and moving to Bellingham, WA, in 2008.

 Entertained by books, travel, seminars, podcasts and museums, Chris was a walking encyclopedia of stories, which he loved to share with others. His passions and interests also included Northwest Coast Native Art, sports (Mariners, Seahawks and WSU Cougars), birding, aviation history/air shows, ancient civilizations, clam chowder, sushi, and spending time with his children and granddog, Mookie. 

 Above all, Christopher was most proud of being Nathaniel and Kimberly’s father and friend. The three of them participated in adventure travels to many places, including Mexico, Belize, the Galapagos Islands, and Peru, looking for Mayan and Incan ruins and colorful tropical birds. 

His family hopes he’s spotting the most fantastic amphibians, birds and fish in the afterlife, and watching the Mariners win the World Series. 

 In lieu of flowers, please honor Christopher’s memory by donating in his name to his favorite organizations:

Whatcom Land Trust 

https://whatcomlandtrust.org/contribute/

Whatcom County Amphibian Monitoring Program 

https://whatfrogs.wordpress.com/donate-today/