Max Brown, 92, of Spearfish passed away on March 18, 2016 at the David M. Dorsett Healthcare Center in Spearfish.

Max was born on April 9, 1923 in the East River Area of South Dakota to Harold and Madge Brown. At the age of three he moved to the Pine Ridge Reservation where he attended elementary school. Max graduated from the eight grade at Garner school in 1936 and attended high school at Wanblee on the Pine Ridge Reservation, Deadwood High School, and Whitewood High School, where he ultimately left to enter the Army Air Corps in March of 1943. Max served the United States during World War II until he was discharged in October of 1945. Upon discharge from the Army, Max earned his final credits necessary to graduate from Deadwood High School in 1945.

For the next year Max worked in mining and construction until he enrolled at Black Hills State College on March 1, 1946. In 1946, while entering a theater in Spearfish he met a former classmate from Wanblee, Dorothy Russell Peterson. They began a relationship that led to their marriage on Jan. 31, 1947. Dorothy was widowed during World War II. She had a son from this previous marriage, William Peterson, whom Max adopted and raised as his own. Max graduated from Black Hills State College on July 15, 1949 with his Bachelors degree in Education. After Max graduated from Black Hills State College in 1949, he and Dorothy accepted teaching positions in Holtville, California. After teaching for two years in California they moved to Torrington, Wyoming, where they taught for two years before moving to Vaughn, Washington, where they taught one year and then returned to Torrington. They spent the next five years teaching in Torrington, where their son, Bruce, was born. In 1959, they moved to Elma, Washington, where they taught for eight years. In 1967 Max and Dorothy returned to Torrington, Wyoming and he earned his Masters Degree from the University of Wyoming. Max completed additional study at the University of Northern Colorado and Bingham Young University. Max worked at University of Wyoming as a professor from 1967 to 1991, where he retired as Professor Emeritus. Max was a dedicated educator, poet and writer.

After their retirement, Max and Dorothy Brown moved to Arizona to be closer to their youngest son, daughter-in-law and two youngest granddaughters. They lived in Arizona for nine years. After their youngest son and his family moved from Arizona to Wyoming, Max and Dorothy moved to Spearfish again be closer to family. Max enjoyed visits from his sons, Bill and Bruce, and their families. Max greatly adored watching his granddaughters play high school sports. Before his passing, Max expressed to his youngest granddaughters that he had been "dreaming of basketball" and was excited to hear that his granddaughter, Marti Wood, had begun coaching.

In 2012, Max and Dorothy became residents of Edgewood vista until 2014 when, due to failing health, Dorothy moved to the Dorsett Home and passed away that May. In 2015, Max began experiencing failing health and he too moved into the Dorsett Home.

Max is survived by his sister, Shirley Perkovich; sons, William (Pat) Peterson; Bruce (Teresa) Brown; granddaughters, Madison Brown, Marti Wood and Tatanya Pray. His parents and his wife, Dorothy Russell Peterson Brown, preceded him in death.

A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, April 8, 2016 at the Fidler-Isburg Funeral Chapel in Spearfish.

Arrangements are under the care of Fidler-Isburg Funeral Chapels and Crematory Service of Spearfish.