*Bob Brown during the The Cross Bros. Return in 2012.*

Downtown Ashland has lost one of its guiding lights.

Bob Brown, former Board Member of Downtown Ashland Association and longtime Chair of the Design Committee, passed away—leaving behind a legacy that has shaped the heart and future of our town. A gifted urban planner, architectural artist, and true visionary, Bob was not only a brilliant mind, but also a kind and generous soul who made Ashland more beautiful, more walkable, and more welcoming for all.

Since 2012, Bob dedicated himself as a volunteer with Downtown Ashland Association, serving seven years on the Board of Directors and ten years as Chair of the Design Committee. His work through the committee honored Ashland’s historic charm while advocating for thoughtful, inclusive public spaces. Every brick, bench, and bloom that graces our downtown is, in some way, touched by Bob’s influence.

Before lending his talents to Ashland, Bob led award-winning revitalization projects in Hoboken, Winston-Salem, and Hartford. A Princeton-educated architect and passionate urban planner, he also taught future city builders at the University of Pennsylvania. But his greatest joy came from the community he built right here in the Center of the Universe with his beloved wife, Mary Lou.

***Mid-Atlantic Railroad Park*** *coming soon to historic downtown Ashland thanks to visionaries like Bob Brown.*

As Chair of the Ashland Planning Commission—where he served for nine years, four as Chair—Bob played a pivotal role in updating the Town’s Comprehensive Plan. For this and so much more, he was honored with the Ashland Citizen Leadership Award. Bob’s work laid the groundwork for present and future projects like the Railroad Avenue streetscape, enhancements around Town Hall and the historic train station, and the vision for the Mid-Atlantic Railroad Park.

His vision didn’t just shape our streets—it inspired a community. Bob believed in the power of places and in the people who inhabit them. His loss is deeply felt, but his legacy will endure in every thoughtful detail he helped design and every person he mentored along the way.

Services will be held Saturday, June 7th at 2pm at St. James the Less (125 Beverly Rd, Ashland, VA 23005).