Me and Lew Brown
My name is Vasudeva C Murthy LCSW R and met Lew Brown when I started working at Lincoln Hospital in the Bronx in year 1990. Lew was in my team in 1992 to 1995 at the Lincoln Mobile Crisis Department Bronx New York, if he is the same person. He was reasonably older to me when I joined Lincoln Hospital and I was about 33 years old, he was about 62-63 years old. I remember specifically because he passed of MSW from New York University in 1957 when I was born. He used to call me the Kid on the block as we both are MSW graduates from different Universities, from different regions of World and working in the Lincoln Hospital in the Bronx - which we both did not know in earlier days.
Lew as he preferred to be called was senior to me because of his more number of years in NYC service, he also served one time as Assistant Commissioner of Mental Health, New York City at one time. Lew was humorous and lively, always wanted to speak ahead of people and friendly. He also served as a Major in US Army at the Korean War and returned as Major (Rtd) to his life in New York city
He disclosed a powerful story of being discriminated in early 1960's. He was travelling from New York City to Virginia by bus. When the bus was about cross the Maryland border, the bus driver came and stated politely, " Sir, can you please go to the back of the bus."? Lew did not understand and retorted" Man, do you know you talking to a Retired Major of US Army"!!!
The bus driver still politely said, I am unaware sir. But as a driver, I am obligated to safeguard all passenger safety and if some thing happens, I feel terribly remorseful to the rest of my life and warning you to go to the back of the bus. Virginia was in the midst of anti-black or hate incidents at the prime in 1960's - during Martin Luther King times. Lew quietly left his front seat row and took a back seat on the bus.
Normally we have heard of discriminatory stories and to know a person of color, who was discriminated and regardless of his service to the Nation as Major in Korean War is appalling to know. Lew disclosed this story and a stain of sadness lingered in his mouth/tongue. We loved Lew regardless of his color and for his witty humorous behavior. Lew had an apartment in the New York City, Upper West and also had a house in Poconos, PA. I just searched today and find that he died in 2009 and my hearty condolences to his spouse and family. Please contact me, if you have some time at [contact link].
He was a wonderful soul, and worked in the Lincoln Mobile Crisis Team. The Lincoln Mobile Crisis team started all over after the Elenor Bumper shooting incident which shot dead a mentally ill thinking she was dangerous and a criminal because of her color. Lew used to tell us so many stories and myself, my teammate Courtland Bonalde from Venezuela quietly enjoyed our lunch talking sessions. At that time, Dr. Billy Jones was NYS Mental Health Commissioner and I believe Dr. John Palmer of Kingsboro Hospital Brooklyn was there as well. Then I went on work for Kingsboro Psychiatric Center, Brooklyn in year 1995. I lost in touch and learnt Lew retired few years later.
Lew never like his first name Clearence named by his father, because his father used to beat him up badly in childhood. We used to tease him by his first name when we wanted to "get" at him by calling him Mr. Clearence.
Sorry to miss you Lew and rest in peace.
Vasudeva C Murthy
Nov 28, 2022
New York
Lew as he preferred to be called was senior to me because of his more number of years in NYC service, he also served one time as Assistant Commissioner of Mental Health, New York City at one time. Lew was humorous and lively, always wanted to speak ahead of people and friendly. He also served as a Major in US Army at the Korean War and returned as Major (Rtd) to his life in New York city
He disclosed a powerful story of being discriminated in early 1960's. He was travelling from New York City to Virginia by bus. When the bus was about cross the Maryland border, the bus driver came and stated politely, " Sir, can you please go to the back of the bus."? Lew did not understand and retorted" Man, do you know you talking to a Retired Major of US Army"!!!
The bus driver still politely said, I am unaware sir. But as a driver, I am obligated to safeguard all passenger safety and if some thing happens, I feel terribly remorseful to the rest of my life and warning you to go to the back of the bus. Virginia was in the midst of anti-black or hate incidents at the prime in 1960's - during Martin Luther King times. Lew quietly left his front seat row and took a back seat on the bus.
Normally we have heard of discriminatory stories and to know a person of color, who was discriminated and regardless of his service to the Nation as Major in Korean War is appalling to know. Lew disclosed this story and a stain of sadness lingered in his mouth/tongue. We loved Lew regardless of his color and for his witty humorous behavior. Lew had an apartment in the New York City, Upper West and also had a house in Poconos, PA. I just searched today and find that he died in 2009 and my hearty condolences to his spouse and family. Please contact me, if you have some time at [contact link].
He was a wonderful soul, and worked in the Lincoln Mobile Crisis Team. The Lincoln Mobile Crisis team started all over after the Elenor Bumper shooting incident which shot dead a mentally ill thinking she was dangerous and a criminal because of her color. Lew used to tell us so many stories and myself, my teammate Courtland Bonalde from Venezuela quietly enjoyed our lunch talking sessions. At that time, Dr. Billy Jones was NYS Mental Health Commissioner and I believe Dr. John Palmer of Kingsboro Hospital Brooklyn was there as well. Then I went on work for Kingsboro Psychiatric Center, Brooklyn in year 1995. I lost in touch and learnt Lew retired few years later.
Lew never like his first name Clearence named by his father, because his father used to beat him up badly in childhood. We used to tease him by his first name when we wanted to "get" at him by calling him Mr. Clearence.
Sorry to miss you Lew and rest in peace.
Vasudeva C Murthy
Nov 28, 2022
New York
