Keith H. Brower

Keith Harvey Brower, PhD, 66, of Fruitland passed away on Thursday, March 16, 2023 at TidalHealth Peninsula Regional in Salisbury. He was attended by his wife and son during his last days in a 14 year-long battle with cancer.

He was born in Cambridge on August 17, 1956 and was the son of the late George H. Brower, Jr. and Madeline Robbins Brower. He graduated from Cambridge High School class of 1974. From 1975 to 1979 he attended and graduated from Salisbury University with a BA in English & Spanish, from 1980 to 1985 he attended and graduated from Penn State University with a MA in Spanish and PhD in Spanish with Portuguese minor. Keith was a Professor of Spanish & Portuguese with a major focus on the literature of Spain & Latin America. In 1985 to 1986 he was an assistant Professor of Spanish at Gettysburg College, 1986 to 1997 Assistant & Associate Professor of Spanish and Portuguese and chair of Spanish and Portuguese Department at Dickinson College. In 1997 to 2014 he was Professor of Modern Languages and Intercultural Studies; Chair of Dept. of Modern Languages and Intercultural Studies at Salisbury University and from 2007 to 2014, he was the Associate Dean at Fulton School of Liberal Arts.  From 2014 to 2021 he was Dean of School of Liberal Arts, Professor of Modern Languages and Literatures at Manhattan College.

Some of his hobbies included running and baseball, as well as enjoying travel abroad to Europe, especially Spain. However, his favorite hobby above all else was spending time with his family. Despite his extensive academic achievements, his family was always the focus of his life, as was his faith and service to God. Anything he could do with family, whether it was a trip to Disney World, playing Skee-Ball in Ocean City, exploring the streets of New York with his son, or a simple trip to a book store with his wife was his ideal way of spending time. He always gave far more than he cared to receive as possessions mattered little to him. His wife, son, and faith were the only things he ever needed. One of his favorite verses from the Bible was, “The Lord Himself goes before you; He will be with you. He will never leave or forsake you. Do not be afraid or discouraged” (Dt 31:8). He leaves behind heartbreak, but also a legacy of love and peace. He loved his family with all his heart and soul and will be greatly missed.  In the words of one of his favorite Spanish novels, The Ingenious Gentleman Don Quixote of la Mancha, “One man scorned and covered with scars still strove with his last ounce of courage to reach the unreachable stars; and the world will be better for this.”

He is survived by his wife of almost 32 years, Lori Brower, and son Alexander Brower of Fruitland, and his nephew Kenny Mooney and wife Terry of Hurlock. Mr. Brower is preceded in death by his parents and sister, Carolyn Todd.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, March 22, 2023 at 11:00 at St. Frances De Sales Catholic Church, 535 Riverside Drive, Salisbury, MD 21801. Interment will follow at Dorchester Memorial Park, Cambridge, MD. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to the Livestrong Foundation.  Arrangements are in the care of the Thomas Funeral Home, P.A. in Cambridge. The church will be live streaming the service.