David L. Brown

Spring Grove Funeral Home is assisting the Family

Obituary via Spring Grove Funeral Home

David L. Brown passed away peacefully at his home on October 28, 2025, at the age of 87. He is survived by his loving wife, Patricia Brown; son, David Tornheim; sister, Marguerite Staud; sister-in-law, Carol Brown; nieces: Kimberly Branch, Olivia Whirls, Beverly Lally, Diana Papania and Michelle Kilimnik; nephew, Michael Brown Jr., as well as many extended family members.

Dave was born on April 24, 1938, in Wheeling, West Virginia to the late Dexter Ray Brown and Mary Edith Brown (nee Reynolds).

Dave was a kind and loving soul, whose life touched many family members, friends, and work colleagues. He was a great lover of children, helping them to grow, making them feel wanted, included and cherished. Dave loved fishing and hunting and included people of all ages on his famous fishing trips to Canada.

Dave fostered development and innovation through his work at the University of Cincinnati, where he gained his PhD and became a full professor. It’s where he spent virtually all his professional life, even after retirement.

During his tenure, he developed an important instrument—an impact hammer—used in conjunction with a mathematical analysis, the Fast Fourier Transform, to revolutionize testing of vibrations in everything from machine tools, cars, airplanes, buildings, to NASA space shuttles and the Hubble telescope.

In addition to his parents, Dave was preceded in death by his first wife, Nancy A. Brown (nee Cochran); son, Todd Brown; brother, Michael Brown Sr., and brother-in-law, Richard Staud.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, January 17, 2026. Details will be announced at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made in Dave’s honor to The UC Foundation c/o: Todd Brown Memorial Fund, ACLU, or CET.