Frederick "Fred" Brower

Frederick “Fred” Brower, 76. transitioned to eternal rest on July 8. 2025 after a lengthy illness. He was a champion of public fire protection, whose decades of distinguished service left a lasting mark on fire departments, fire education, the insurance industry, and national fire policy.

Fred was born to the late Eleanor (Schanzenbach) Brower and Elmore J. Brower on May 28. 1949. Mr. Brower is survived by his brother Philip Brower (wife Cheryl) along with nieces and nephews.

Fred married Susan Meyer on March 23,1991, who proceeded him in death on September 8, 2013. He married Shirley Roth on September 19, 2015, and lovingly adopted her family as his own. He is survived by his wife Shirley, his daughter Michelle (Roth) Hume and her husband W. Donald, and his grandson William “Liam” Hume. Fred was a compassionate, loving and generous husband. He and Shirley enjoyed traveling throughout Europe–visiting historical sites and fire departments along the way. They also relished going to Broadway Shows in New York and visited many fine dining restaurants. However, Fred’s greatest joy was interacting with his grandson, Liam, and introducing him to the world of fire service.

Fred’s connection to the fire service ran deep, rooted in a proud family tradition dating back generations in Red Bank, New Jersey, where his great uncles once served as fire chiefs. He began his own fire service journey as a teenage volunteer in1966 with the Newark, NJ, Auxiliary Fire Department.

A graduate of the University of Maryland with a degree in Industrial Education and a minor in Fire Protection, Fred quickly became a respected leader in the College Park Volunteer Fire Department where he rose from Sergeant to Fire Chief over the course of two decades of dedicated service. Fred also served the Department in an administrative capacity for many years on the Executive Board as Chairman from 2003-2006 and then Company Treasurer for the next 10+ years. He also held key leadership roles across Prince George’s County, contributing as Division Chief and as an officer in the Volunteer Chiefs Council.

Professionally, Fred spent four decades at Insurance Services Office (ISO), where he helped evaluate and shape community fire protection standards nationwide. His work as an engineering representative, country-wide trainer, and contributor to the Fire Suppression Rating Schedule impacted how fire services are assessed and improved across the country.

Fred’s service was not limited to one department or region—he supported departments in Maryland, New Jersey, and New York, contributed nationally through organizations like NFPA and IAFC, and mentored others in fire protection throughout his post-retirement years. His honors included the ISO Chairman’s Award and Prince George’s County Chief’s Award. He remained active as a volunteer well into retirement.

A Celebration of Fred’s Life will be held July 19, 2025 at the University of Maryland Memorial Chapel in College Park, MD. Visitation is at 10:00 AM prior to the service beginning at 11:30 AM.

Burial will be at the Hollywood Memorial Park & Cemetery in Union, NJ at 11:00 AM on July 23, 2025.

Memorial contributions may be sent to the National Fallen Fire Fighters Foundation (https://www.firehero.org/donate) or mailed to: P. O. Drawer 498, Emmitsburg, MD 21727.

Everyone is invited to a luncheon following the funeral service at the Branchville Fire Department, Branchville VFD Heroes Hall, 4905 Branchville Road, College Park, MD 20740.