Robert “Bob” Brown, known to many as “Mr. Magnesium,” due to his unsurpassed knowledge and extensive work with the light metal, passed away peacefully on March 24, 2024, at the age of 92. Bob was born in Ann Arbor, MI, on October 9, 1931, and was the beloved son of the late Harold Brown and the late Edith Berry Brown. He was a dedicated member of Crescent Hill Presbyterian Church and served his country with honor as a veteran of the U.S. Air Force.
A graduate of Michigan Technological University with a B.S. in Metallurgical Engineering, Bob’s career was distinguished by over 60 years of dedicated service and innovation in the field of magnesium metallurgy. His expertise on magnesium and his propensity to share this knowledge made him not only a pivotal figure in the industry, but also a loved and admired mentor to many. Bob’s ability to remember details in his life was phenomenal, often amazing other with his perfect recall. Throughout his career, Bob was considered a leading authority in the field of magnesium metallurgy.
Bob began his professional life in 1956 at Dow Chemical in Freeport, TX, as a metallurgical engineer. His prolific career is almost too extensive to properly summarize, but some of the companies he worked with include:
• Hydro Magnesium: where he served as a senior consultant, contributing to the development of advanced magnesium alloys and processing techniques.
• Magnesium Elektron: where he provided critical insights into the production and application of high-performance magnesium materials.
• China Magnesium Corporation: advising on strategic initiatives to enhance production efficiency and market reach.
• Magwerkes, Inc.: working as a technical director for the corporation that was founded to promote and develop twin roll casting of magnesium. The company was developed to use the technology developed by Dow in their work with Hunter Engineering, in the early 1980s.
• Alamet: as the director of Magnesium Operations, where he oversaw magnesium production including (1) Quarrying of dolomite ore (2) Primary reduction of calcined dolomite (3) Melting and casting all forms of primary magnesium and its alloys.
• AC Williams: where he was appointed chief metallurgist: aluminum and magnesium foundry producing aircraft quality castings. Here he supervised all heat-treating, quality control operations and melting and casting procedures. On top of that, Bob developed and implemented internal magnesium and aluminum scrap reclamation programs including design of the facility.
• Anadite Corp.: working as the chief metallurgist and plant engineer for the sand and investment foundry. Bob was responsible for all melting and casting procedures and all metal treating facilities. He installed and set up computer operated spectrographic analysis, and ran all production control for ceramic slip, waxes, and investment mold production including drying, autoclave, and firing oven.
• G. Agusta: working for this largest European helicopter manufacturer, Bob designed and mapped a magnesium foundry where he specified all equipment and production flow in conjunction with the Italian management.
As a consultant, Bob helped the world usher in the advancement of magnesium technology. Among many others, he provided invaluable guidance to:
• Takamul Investments in Oman, helping to establish a state-of-the-art magnesium production facility.
• Molycor Gold Corporation, offering expertise in the extraction and refinement of magnesium from ore.
• POSCO, one of the world’s largest steel manufacturers, in integrating magnesium into their production processes to improve material properties and performance.
• Thixomat, reviewing specific magnesium programs, processes, and applications.
• FATA Hunter, supporting the development of a magnesium sheet production plant using twin roll casting.
Publications, Organizations and Recognition
Bob’s numerous publications, including a multitude of technical papers, were foundational texts for both seasoned professionals and aspiring metallurgists. He was the creator and driver behind the Magnesium Monthly Review, which he published every month from 1971 to 2017. This publication became a cornerstone of industry knowledge, disseminating the latest news, research, and developments. Further, he served as a contributing editor for Light Metal Age (LMA), the Australian Journal of Mining, and Mining Journal (London). From 1990-2016, Bob authored 52 articles published in LMA, reviewing magnesium conferences, new processes in production, and magnesium plants all over the world.
He was a sought-after speaker and advisor. His influence extended to professional affiliations and speaking at industry conferences, including The Minerals, Metals & Materials Society (TMS), and International Magnesium Association (IMA) meetings, where his insights helped to shape industry standards and practices. For a short period, he also served as the executive secretary at the IMA, where he published the organization’s newsletter and directed all activities with international membership for the trade association.
Bob’s contributions to the advancement of magnesium knowledge were recognized when he received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the IMA as a testament to his enduring impact on the industry. Additionally, he was honored at the Second International Conference and Exhibition on Alusil MVT in St. Petersburg, Russia, highlighting his global influence. His work continues to be recognized to this day. At the most recent IMA annual meeting in Japan in May, Steven Barela, Western Slope Green Industries, made a presentation to honor Bob and his work. The TMS Magnesium Committee is also planning to honor Bob at the 2025 Magnesium Technology Session at TMS 2025.
Personal Legacy
Bob is survived by his loving wife, Gail Stone Brown; his daughter, Robyn Taylor, and her husband, Steve; his daughter-in-law, Lynn Brown; and his cherished grandchildren, Zachary Taylor and Jonathan Taylor. He is also remembered fondly by his nieces, Helen Martin and Cynthia Fickert. In addition to his parents, Bob was preceded in death by his sons, Mark Brown and David Brown.
Bob’s legacy as a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and a pioneer in his field will be remembered by all who knew him. His contributions have left an indelible mark on the industry and will continue to inspire future generations.
His family invites you to share your thoughts and condolences online at:
http://tiny.cc/RobertEvansBrown
Remembrances
Bob got me interested in magnesium first with AMC (Australian Magnesium Company) and then with a half dozen other magnesium projects. Besides being the only mentor I think I have ever had, he sold me to potential clients like I was a miracle man who was the answer to all their prayers. Whatever success I have had as a consultant is due in large part to the doors that he opened up for me with his high praise. My best memories of him are from the two of us spending our weekends bumming around the outback in Australia while on assignment there. I have lost a good friend, and the magnesium industry has lost a great advocate. RIP, my friend.
— Robert R. Odle, Ph.D., Odle Resume Plus
I was saddened to learn that Bob Brown had passed away. We have lost a good friend and the magnesium industry has lost a staunch supporter. I can also recall seeing him many times over the past 20 years. I am grateful to him for his help in my work and China’s magnesium industry, making a special contribution to the global magnesium industry. May he rest in peace in heaven. We’ll miss him forever.
— Dong Chunming, Sunlight Metal Consulting (Beijing) Co., Ltd.
Bob was the “GOAT” of the magnesium industry and also a really nice guy. He will be missed.— Chris Romanowski
Bob is a Mentor and I am honored to have been a friend of his for over 4 decades.—Neale R Neelameggham, Ph.D., Ganges from the Sky [Akash Ganga] Sustainable Lake Projects
I have so many memories of Bob, here in Australia, in Japan, various places in Europe and of course, in the USA. When time permits I’ll wade thru photographs of the various times and will fondly remember. They’ll be happy memories but terribly saddened as Bob is no longer with us.
-Ian Howard Smith, Entreprenuer
Dear Robert E. (Bob) Brown, who spent a significant part of his life transferring the developments in the magnesium industry to other components of the industry, unfortunately passed away on March 24. However, many of his works, especially for the development of magnesium, are still up-to-date and we continue to benefit from them. When he attended a magnesium conference in Saint Petersburg in 2007, he recounted what he said about his wife’s refusal to travel for health and old age reasons. He got permission to tell his wife that magnesium production had exceeded 1,000,000 tons for the first time in the world and that at this point, this important development should be made together with the whole community. Even at his advanced age, he both attracted us and made us smile with these stories at that time. Perhaps one of the reasons why he uses Maggie as a short name for magnesium is also because of his great love and respect for his wife and daughter. Thanks to him, the word Maggie, the abbreviation of magnesium, has become well established in our language. When the day came, he went where everyone else went, and we have nothing to do but wish him to rest well and to wish him to meet his paradise.
With my respect and love, — Dr. Onuralp Yucel, Istanbul Technical University.
Dr. Onuralp Yucel’s remembrance was translated from Turkish, the translation may not be completely accurate.
Lovingly dedicated to Robert Evans Brown: a titan of the light metal age, storyteller, navigator, grandfather, and one of my best friends who taught me that there is always a path forward, regardless of the hand that is dealt. An adopted child born during the Great Depression, you became the world’s leading expert on magnesium. You didn’t let your narcolepsy stop you from becoming a Captain in the Air Force as a navigator. Even when you were significantly injured in a magnesium plant fire, you found a way out, and went on to advise companies and governments on their magnesium production. You are the embodiment of the phrase ‘built different,’ and you’re why I became a chemist. You will forever live on through the lives you have touched. You are the funniest person I have ever met, and even two strokes couldn’t take away your unmatched wit. You are my biggest inspiration, and I could not be prouder to be your grandson.
— Jonathan Taylor
Note: If any would like to be added to the Remembrances portion of this online obituary, just send to lma@lightmetalage.com for posting.
