Dr. William “Bill” Thomas Brownlee, PhD

Dec. 18, 2023

Dear Colleen and Family:

I’m sure Mr. Brownlee would understand (knowing that 13 + years have slipped away since his passing) of the need to call a ‘timeout’ on the field. (Having been a successful baseball player and all). I knew Mr. Brownlee (Bill if I may) on a totally different level.
Allow me to explain.

It was Easter Break (1976) at the Red Deer Public School District No. 104 Central Administration Offices, a Monday, and I had just transferred in from the Stettler School District No. 1475 to become part 2 of a two part Accounting Team. It was my first day on the job with my new employer. I walked into a Wine and Cheese Party in Progress !! Mr. Harold Dawe, the Superintendent of Schools, a position he had held for 24 years !, was retiring and Bill Brownlee (the Principal of Lindsay Thurber Comprehensive High School) was selected as his successor. 24 years as a Superintendent of Schools is unheard of today, a feat today perhaps never to be duplicated! And I now understood the need for celebration. I was 24 yrs. old at the time, soon to be 25 in June. I had little knowledge of Mr. Dawe’s history, soon to be legacy if you will. But that was about to change very quickly. One word surrounding Mr. Dawe was “respect” and that’s one trait that Bill had on his resume’, BIG TIME !! To use a modern phrase, “You can’t ‘download’ it, can’t buy it, can’t sell it, You have to EARN it ! I recall part of Mr. Bob Schnell’s (our Vice-Chairman of the School Board)(also a lawyer in our City) speech he gave during the presentation of a ‘gift’ to Mr. Dawe. He said; “If I had one-tenth of the RESPECT that this man has in this City and IN HIS field of expertise (Education) In This Province I would be a lucky man.” And Bill was taking the reins from this Man ! Continuity……Consistency……You Bet….We needed it then perhaps more than any other time as things were changing.
One thing I don’t see, but once, in the ‘Memories of Bill’ is the word ‘integrity’. Bill was taking over from a well known and respected Educator with Decades of Experience in the Education field. The need for continuity and stability was paramount at this time of change for the top job at Red Deer Public Schools. And change was all around us. Bill brought integrity to the table in equal amounts similar to Mr. Dawe. Bill was a Human Resource type that could instill calm and boost morale in the darkest of circumstances. If I can give you but one example:

The 1977-78 School Year. All September’s start out hectic as all Schools go through their start up procedures, but this one was going to be different. With September 30 looming as the month progressed, the 30 th being the “official student count day” on which all of our Funding grants are based on, for the year, from the Dep’t of Ed, we arrived for work Monday morning September 26 to news that there had been a MAJOR fire at Eastview Junior High School overnight. Our hearts sank immediately! So many decisions had to be made quickly on that day (that morning !) as hundreds of students, their families, and their teachers daily lives were affected. So many questions went through our minds and very few answers were being found until everything settled and the authorities had an opportunity to do their jobs. It didn’t take them long to determine this fire had help. How could someone…..? Why…..? Morale at Central Office as well as the whole City seemed to be in shock and disbelief with the outpouring of help coming from many, many sources. We were at an all time LOW if not lower. Mr. Bill Brownlee. was at the helm of our ship steering us through these murky waters, holding press interviews, directing staff department heads to reallocate some staff, maintenance and otherwise, even Parents were coming forward with offers to help in the cleanup. The community response was incredible!! It all had to be orchestrated ! Small armies of people began working 24/7 to get that School functioning again. A determination was made by officials that Eastview Junior High could still function in its own footprint if we turned some unaffected areas into classrooms. WHEN was re-opening was the next most asked question. But there was one other question still unanswered. RCMP had no initial leads on suspects. Days turned into weeks, still NO news, and then…..one morning……(I’ll stop here for a moment to describe one more thing in detail about our office layout)…… Bill’s office was down a long hallway to my right, second door on the left, with offices on both sides beyond that leading to an exit. I’m sitting at my desk in an open area (no dividers) where I can see down this hallway. Shirley and Gwen are behind me in separate offices, doors open, ahead of me is Susan and across from her Donna, forming an ‘L’ shape but with plenty of room to walk in between, and on the other side was Katie and Peggy’s desk’s. I very early on could gage Bill’s demeanour by the way he closed his hollow, mahogany sheeted hallway office door; a purposeful almost slam and you knew he was on a mission or he was displeased with something, a softer closure perhaps nearing day’s end, you knew he was preparing to leave for the day and pick up his children from School which he did daily. In any event that sound carried up and down this hallway unimpeded. It was mid-morning this day and Bill exited his office to the point you could hear the latch click upon closing (a different softer sound) making his way (everyone’s heads were down busy at their own stations) up the hallway (he was about to pull off the most useful combination of body language and sound of his voice I have never experienced before nor since) first stopping at Ray’s open office door, where he leaned in and said something to Ray. Then carried on to the open area between Susan, Donna’s and my desk, Shirley and Gwen behind me, in a slow methodical walk, left fist clinched (maybe his right too, I couldn’t see) (Bill had big hands a byproduct of years of manual labor on the Manitoba family farm) he uttered THREE WORDS in a lower tone than what we were used to….”THEY GOT ‘EM !“ Immediately
the girls around me gasped in relief of this news, his left fist still pumping as if to put another exclamation mark on what he had just said !! He still had the entire rest of the office (we have a long single story structure) to go. In that ONE motion he had changed the morale in our office to a HIGH I had never felt before ! I think about that sequence from time to time. He knew EXACTLY what to do and HOW to do it !!! And it all started with the door.
Our Men’s group at the Golden Circle often discuss and suggest each of us should make a list of the 20 most important people that have influenced our lives. Bill’s name is on mine.
I would love an opportunity to sit down one afternoon with Colleen and family and share stories of days gone by. I can see this game being tied after ‘9’ (o’clock and the need for extra innings perhaps even calling the game on account of darkness to be finished the next day or future day). Like I said at the top of my note, I knew him on a totally different level. All the other “memories of Bill” here are 100 % true. It’s been too long.
My “time out” is quickly nearing an end as I see the umpire is starting to make his way to the mound as I struggle for an appropriate ending, there’s only one that fits and it goes like this;
“Service to others is the RENT you pay for your ROOM here on planet Earth and to you, Dr. William Thomas Brownlee, Ph.D., your RENT is
“PAID IN FULL !!!”

Respectfully submitted,

Eugene Morrical
Red Deer, Alberta

Bill believed in the people he worked with. Starting at FCHS under his tutelage was an education in itself. His central tenet, in my opinion, “Believe in them, and they’ll reward you.” Life is about trust and love and belief in each other. Colleen, Bill personified that view of life. I’ll remember his guidance and faith in me always. He will be rewarded in heaven.

Colleen
Please accept these (late) condolences from myself and my wife Sharon. We all worked together for Red Deer Public School District, and Bill first appointed me as a vice-principal many years ago. I consider Bill as one of my role models, and only hope that I can continue to contribute to education for as many years as Bill did. I remember him as kind, collaborative, and as a visionary leader. I note that one comment above states that Bill was “larger than life”, and that is very true. You were both a superb team, and our world is poorer for his passing.
All the best for you in this difficult time.

Alan and Sharon Cooper
Red Deer, Alberta/Grand Forks B.C.

Dear Colleen,
We’re thinking of you and extending our deepest sympathy at this difficult time. Pete and I will always remember Bill’s wonderful sense of humor. Our thoughts and prayers are with you, your family, and friends during this time of sorrow.
Pete and Marlene

Dear Colleen,

I was sad to read about your husband, Bill’s death in the paper. My sincere sympathies go out to you, your family and friends on your loss.

My thoughts are with you, Colleen.

Sincerely,
Wendy Gedney

Colleen,

Sincere sympathies to you, Colleen. Bill epitomized what education is all about–dedication, professionalism and a good sense of humour. Cherish the memories!

Wishing you strength during this very difficult time.

What I’ll remember most about Uncle Bill was his laugh. It was a laugh that shook him with joy, took away his breath and made tears of laughter fall from his eyes.

He lived his life like he laughed – from his heart.

He always loved to tell us a new joke. But, my favourite time spent laughing with Uncle Bill was hearing him recount tales from his childhood growing-up on the family farm in Manitoba with my dad and their brother Gerald.

I remember being a child and sitting on my Grandmother’s kitchen counter. I’d watch her beat countless cake and cookie batters by hand with a wire whisk. I remember thinking how strong she was. When I was older, I deduced that she must have developed such strong arms from years being a pioneer farm wife. I was wrong. After hearing Uncle Bill and my dad recount tales of their childhood, I soon realized that Grandma’s strong arms came from trying to beat some sense into her less-than-well-behaved sons!!

There were stories of teachers from their one-room school house being locked in the school barn or locked in the outhouse. Stories about locking an annoying female student in the teacher’s office and then lobbing water balloons through the open window of the office – soaking the girl inside. Stories of climbing spruce trees in the school yard to hide from the teacher. Those poor pioneer teachers … if anyone ever deserved to go on mental disability leave, it would have been this hardy group of people!

My favourite story from their youth was the day that Grandma decided that she needed to deal with the rats that were getting into her henhouse. They discovered a worn trench in the grass leading from the henhouse to a piece of farm equipment called a binder.

Grandma staged her sons at the binder and positioned herself along the trench in the grass between the binder and the henhouse. Grandma, being a hardy pioneer farm woman, armed herself for killing the rats … not with a gun, not with an axe, not with a sharp hoe … but with a one foot by four foot plank of wood!!

Well, Grandma gave the word and her sons rattled the binder. Sure enough, down the trench ran a rat. Grandma pulled back and walloped the rat … efficiently introducing its teeth to its rear end. Did I mention that Grandma had strong arms?? Grandma once again gave the nod to her boys to rattle the binder. Again, a rat ran down the trench. Again, Grandma hauled back and walloped the rat into the ever after. Her sons thought this was hilarious and began to rattle the binder at will. Rats were running down the trench like a treadmill in overdrive. Grandma never missed a beat – nor a rat!! Ka-thunk! Ka-thunk! Ka-thunk! Dead rats were flying everywhere. When all was said and done, she filled a five gallon pail with dead rats. And where were her sons? They were doubled-over in laughter – laughter that shook them with joy, took away their breath and made tears of laughter fall from their eyes.

To a man that loved to laugh. Cheers, Uncle Bill! I’ll miss you!

Aunt Colleen,

My thoughts and prayers are with you and Alpo during this difficult time.

Love,
Rhonda

Colleen and family, I was at Foothills Composite High School a few weeks ago and was looking at Bill’s picture on the wall remembering the work he did to get that school up and running back in 1984. I also recall his great sense of humor and his care and concern for the students in his school. Please accept my sincere sympathies on the passing of this fine gentleman.

John Battrum,
Foothills School Division No. 38

Dear Colleen,

I was so sorry to hear of Bill’s passing. My heart goes out to you Colleen because I know how deeply you loved your darling husband. May God give you the strength and courage to help you through this sad time.

With heartfelt sympathy
Jan

Colleen and Family,

It was with extreme sadness that I saw of Bill’s passing.

We meet so many very fine people in this life. Of all these people, only very few influence us in such a positive and constructive way. I am so fortunate to have had the opportunity in my life to have been influenced by Bill. He will always be remembered favorably!

My deepest condolences to you and the family. Our loss is heavens gain.

Rob James
Calgary

Thinking of you and yours @ this difficult time. Take care of youself.
Regards Ruth

Colleen, we send our condolensces to you and Bill’s family with sadness. Memories of playing hockey at Springbank, principal’s meetings and conferences (New Orleans) will remain with us. Bill had the ability to see positive things in life and was always fun to be with.
Jim and Frances

Colleen, our deepest sympathies are with you at this most difficult time. We have very fond memories of Bill, his fun loving nature and his dedication to his profession. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Most sincerely, Gerry and Sharon

Colleen, I was so sorry to read of Bill’s passing in The Herald this morning. I am sure you are blessed to be surrounded by family and friends. My thoughts are with you.
Kathi Kerbes

I am so sorry to hear of your loss Colleen, and wanted you to know that you are being thought of with sympathy and caring. Bill will be greatly missed.

Dear Colleen and Family:

My thoughts and prayers are with you during this most difficult time.

I have many fond memories of Bill from my time in Red Deer.

Randy Skimmings

Dear Colleen:
I am so sorry to hear that Bill has preceeded you into the next world. A part of you will have gone with him. I truly believe he will be with you always, by your side in this life and the next. Loving and caring between partners was exemplified by your relationship with Bill. I’m so glad you both “retired” while you had a chance to spend happy years together.
In my thoughts and prayers
Sharon (Reddekopp) Williams

Colleen, please accept my deepest sympathy at Bill’s passing. I always enjoyed our visits with you and Bill and Clint and Betty. Bill had a wonderful sense of humour, was seldom seen without a smile, and was a true raconteur around a campfire. The world is poorer for his passing.

My deepest condolences to the entire family…particularily Susan and Bill’s grandchildren Ashley and Victoria

Mackenzie and Family

Colleen,

Sincere condolences on Bill’s passing. We remember him as a man of accomplishment and integrity. He was a fine educator and a fine man who always had a smile on his face.

We all will miss him.
Colleen Grover and Al Snider

Bill was a true gentleman and a perfect host to those who went to visit himself and colleen,he loved to have a wee rum and a game of cards [contract whist] which he did not like to lose especally to colleen !!!!!!!.His hospitality and his willingness to share stories from his past will remain in our memory for ever.
Our prayer are with colleen at this time.
MIKE AND GERARDINE

The world has lost a wonderful man.
My thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time.

Colleen, Our deepest sympathy at Bill’s passing. Joan & I still talk about the great time we had with you and Bill in Las Vegas.
Clarence & Joan Longeway

My favourite memories of Bill will always be when he coached the Foothills Comp senior boys volleyball team to a tournament victory in Taber in 1985 (Doug our coach was away for the weekend). He was so proud that weekend especially receiving the trophy for the team. My second favourite is a classroom visit at Springbank Middle. Colleen was the Superintendent of Rockyview and she mentioned I was a first year teacher. Within a few weeks Bill was in my classroom with a big smile on his face encouraging me all the way. Again he seemed very proud that day. I was honoured to have known him and very proud that such a kind man had an influence in my life. God bless you Colleen, our thoughts and prays are with you and your family
Sincerely,
Chris Hall (FCHS Grad 1985 and FSD Teacher), Kristyn Gour/Hall (FCHS Grad 1987) and our children Abbey, Katie and Keegan.

Dear Colleen – I am sorry for your loss. My thoughts are with you and your family at this time. I hope you are surrounded by lots of love and support.

With fond memories.

Brian Fitzsimmons