Frank Brownie

Frank Brownie, 83, of Santa Barbara, CA passed away peacefully on March 21, 2025 at Stanford Hospital in Palo Alto CA. Frank was surrounded by his husband of 49 years, Norm Hoffman, and close lifelong friends.

He was born in Pasadena, CA and lived there and Temple City in his early years until he enrolled at University of California Santa Barbara where he received his teaching degree in 1959.

Frank spoke of the wonderful time from 1962 to 1964 when he was a volunteer in the Peace Corps assigned to teach high school in San Jose, Costa Rica. His first teaching assignment was at La Cumbre Middle School where he taught for 35 years until his retirement in 2002. Everyone loved Mr. Brownie and he loved his students and gave them the support and encouragement they needed to succeed in school. Many, many times Frank would walk into a store or business and encountered students, now adults, who would tell him, ”I always remembered you Mr. Brownie.” Frank was loved and respected by his fellow teachers, many of whom Frank had mentored during their first years. He was always a gentleman, kind and good natured willing to help students and fellow teachers.

Mr. Brownie was known for his love of travel. Frank and Norm traveled all over the world and shared a love of cruising. Frank really was a very lucky man. He had a big life and a great mind. He lived in the absolute best time to be in this country and on this earth and saw and did so many things. He had a great love that lasted almost 50 years. Very few people can claim that.
Frank is survived by his husband, Norm, his nephew Bill Brownie and wife Susan of Nashville, TN, grandnephew Will Brownie of Portland, Maine, Rob Adams and wife Cindy of North Carolina, Lee Norton and Thomas Bloom of Nashville, TN, Tom Norton of Jacksonville, FL., and Alvaro Bas and sons Diego and Eduardo, Frank’s beloved family in Spain.

We are so fortunate to have known Frank and to have the privilege to call him our friend. Mr. Brownie will always be lovingly remembered by his friends, colleagues, and the thousands of students whose lives he touched. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later time.