We created a GatheringUs memorial to celebrate the life of Les Brown. Collecting your stories and memories here will offer us great comfort. Thank you for contributing to this lasting memorial.
Sitting at the Human Resources front desk for the last 4 years, everyone met Les at some point, and he loved... see moreWe created a GatheringUs memorial to celebrate the life of Les Brown. Collecting your stories and memories here will offer us great comfort. Thank you for contributing to this lasting memorial.
Sitting at the Human Resources front desk for the last 4 years, everyone met Les at some point, and he loved getting to know so many across the City.
A native of Oklahoma, Les came to California in the 1980s to be part of a more accepting community, eventually settling in Santa Monica. He earned his Masters in English from the University of Chicago, traveled the world, spoke several languages, biked, swam, and loved music and art of all kinds. He was constantly engaged in the world around him, endlessly curious about people, places, cultures and food.
Les was also an avid hiker, at home on the trails in the Santa Monica Mountains. With approval of his mother, A group of his coworkers have set up a GoFundMe to support the Santa Monica Mountain Fund in his memory https://gf.me/u/yiwa3d.
OBITUARY
Les and I became friends over happy hours and lunches a few years ago, with his dry humor and ability to talk about almost anything. He was our secret guide to Los Angeles and tips on any place we were headed. And I always loved he got me out of going to the opera by being David's +1. I wish we could have him over for dinner one more time.
Sadly, I'm just now hearing of Les' passing. Les and I met working in the art department of a TV commercial around 1988. We hit it off immediately and he asked me out for a drink. Much to my surprise, it was actually a date, as I thought Les was... moreSadly, I'm just now hearing of Les' passing. Les and I met working in the art department of a TV commercial around 1988. We hit it off immediately and he asked me out for a drink. Much to my surprise, it was actually a date, as I thought Les was straight. We learned on that date that we shared our birthdays, even the year, August 22 1961. I grew up in Kansas and he, Oklahoma, which made us realize we had an unspoken midwestern language. We dated briefly before I met my soulmate, but we remained friends and work associates well into the mid 90's. Over the years we would run into each other at various functions and bars where it felt as though no time had passed between us. in the past few weeks I thought of him and had the desire to reconnect with him. It was truly sad to learn of his passing today. Love and cherish your friends often and openly as you never know when one can leave this world. Much love to his family and friends. We were all privileged to know him. less
I met Les when he began volunteering as a literacy tutor at the Main Library (I'm the literacy program coordinator). He was always so kind and eager to help. My literacy program colleagues remember him fondly, as well. He is one of a few City staff who... moreI met Les when he began volunteering as a literacy tutor at the Main Library (I'm the literacy program coordinator). He was always so kind and eager to help. My literacy program colleagues remember him fondly, as well. He is one of a few City staff who have volunteered to tutor adult learners - which I find really touching. As City staff, we have jobs that focus on our community and its residents. To then volunteer and spend one's own time helping community members, I feel, really goes above and beyond. I'm greatly saddened by his death. less
Les,
Personally, thank you for including me in your walks around Tongva Park with Jeff and Rebecca. It was fun to get together for lunch a couple of times and introduce you to Pilipino food. I was impressed when you choose to make kare-kare at home... moreLes,
Personally, thank you for including me in your walks around Tongva Park with Jeff and Rebecca. It was fun to get together for lunch a couple of times and introduce you to Pilipino food. I was impressed when you choose to make kare-kare at home because even I don't eat that. When we both ordered martinis at an HH (and you ordered oysters that I was allergic to), I knew we'd get along fine.
Professionally, thanks for coming to my rescue by being a Spanish interpreter for a customer with a complex problem, and for looking out for the Clerk's Office when difficult customers made the rounds at the public counters.
We were just starting to get to know one another, and although it was short, I'm grateful for the time we had. less
A few months ago, Les met up for a Happy Hour after work at a local spot where most of the staff are from abroad. The first server came up to the table and Les engaged in a full-blown exchange in French with that server. The second server delivered food... moreA few months ago, Les met up for a Happy Hour after work at a local spot where most of the staff are from abroad. The first server came up to the table and Les engaged in a full-blown exchange in French with that server. The second server delivered food and Les engaged in a completely different conversation in Spanish. It was really amazing and quite lovely to watch him in his element and how effortlessly he engaged with everyone he met, no matter what language they spoke. That night, he went on to discuss his plans to retire in Argentina and I was so excited for that plan for him. There are so many more memories that make me smile when I think of Les. Singing Wham!'s "Last Christmas" and watching the ridiculous music video at his computer...when my mother had a serious health scare, Les dropped everything without notice to meet up with me and for all these reasons and more, I will miss him terribly. Rest in Paradise, Mr. Brown. less
I am so sad. Les was always so friendly and cracked me up with his dry wit. It felt special that he always remembered my name and seemed genuinely interested in how I was doing. A huge loss for all of us.
Les and I were friends from the moment we met and initially bonded over our love of Cottonwood Lakes in the Sierras. Les, I wish we had the chance to backpack to Muir Lake this fall, I wish I could give you one more awkward hug, tell you one more really... moreLes and I were friends from the moment we met and initially bonded over our love of Cottonwood Lakes in the Sierras. Les, I wish we had the chance to backpack to Muir Lake this fall, I wish I could give you one more awkward hug, tell you one more really bad dad joke just to make you groan, and drink one last martini together. Each day the little things make me remember you and I hope that these reminders can one day make me smile rather than cry because I know you would want me to smile. less
My Condolences to the Les family and friends. He will be missed. I would see him early in the morning at the swimming pool working out. It was always great to see him so happy and ready for another morning...I will miss your swim humor. Swim on until we... moreMy Condolences to the Les family and friends. He will be missed. I would see him early in the morning at the swimming pool working out. It was always great to see him so happy and ready for another morning...I will miss your swim humor. Swim on until we meet again. 🐬 less
Here is a list of music Les recommend to me and Rebecca during quarantine. He was man of good and eclectic taste...
Paul Simon The Rhythm of the Saints
Orchestre Baobab Pirates Choice
Shostakovich String Quartets No. 7 and 8
Miles Davis Birth of the... moreHere is a list of music Les recommend to me and Rebecca during quarantine. He was man of good and eclectic taste...
Paul Simon The Rhythm of the Saints
Orchestre Baobab Pirates Choice
Shostakovich String Quartets No. 7 and 8
Miles Davis Birth of the Cool
Led Zeppelin IV
Jethro Tull Songs from the Wood
Amadou et Miriam Dimanche à Bamako
Golijov Aidamar
Orlando di Lasso Lagrime di San Pietro
Tool Lateralus
Grandmaster Flash The Definite Groove
Elvis Costello My Aim is True
Babasonicos Jessico
Tito Rodriguez The Best of Vol 1 less
My condolences to Les' family and close friends. I met Les when I started working for the City two years ago. He met me once in a class and always addressed me by my name thereafter-which was impressive, kind, and welcoming. I loved the simple... moreMy condolences to Les' family and close friends. I met Les when I started working for the City two years ago. He met me once in a class and always addressed me by my name thereafter-which was impressive, kind, and welcoming. I loved the simple "good night" exchanges we often had as he was getting his bike ready and I was walking by. Such a small thing, such a huge impact. less