Stories
When Terra Reynolds of Wilmette, Illinois, began thinking about how to celebrate her father’s 80th birthday, she knew it was time to honor the depth of his legacy. Her father, Richard E. “Dick” Brown, a 1966 graduate of the University of South Dakota, has dedicated his life to public service, mentorship and civic leadership.
To mark the occasion, Reynolds and her husband, David, established the Richard E. “Dick” Brown Fellowship Program Endowment—a planned gift that will support USD political science students who are committed to careers in public service.
“What I want to do is honor the legacy that my dad and mom established through public service,” Reynolds said.
The fellowship also honors the memory of Dr. William O. “Doc” Farber, the legendary USD professor who profoundly influenced the Brown family’s values and path.
A Legacy of Leadership and Mentorship
Farber’s influence extended well beyond the classroom. He introduced Dick Brown to his future wife, Sue, and later became the godfather to one of their children. His home was a gathering place for civic dialogue and political thought—a space where students and leaders alike debated the issues of the day.
“Doc’s house was like a salon of leaders,” Reynolds said. “It was full of conversation about current events, history and what history tells us about where we’re going.”
Farber’s belief in the power of public service—regardless of political affiliation—became a cornerstone of the Brown family’s lives.
A fifth-generation South Dakotan from Dell Rapids, Dick Brown built a distinguished career in public service. He served in the U.S. army, worked for senators in Washington, D.C., led regional planning initiatives and spent four terms in the South Dakota House of Representatives.
Sue Brown, who passed away in 2020, was a respected civic leader in her own right, serving on the Sioux Falls School board and later as CEO of the Sioux Falls Area Community Foundation.
Their children followed in their footsteps. Reynolds served as a federal prosecutor and now practices law privately. Her siblings work in mental health and the judiciary.
“It’s service above self,” Dick Brown said. “Doing things because they reflect our personal values.”
The Brown Family with Dr. William O. Farber
Why Planned Giving, Why Now?
Reynolds said the idea for the fellowship came after asking her father which experiences shaped his life the most. “The answer was clear,” she said. “Meeting Doc Farber and attending USD.”
The gift reflects not just a birthday milestone, but a larger purpose: to invest in the next generation of public servants.
“We’re just thrilled to have made this commitment,” Reynolds said. “To watch these students grow and succeed as leaders.”
“The impact we can have through education and public service goes far beyond what we see,” Dick Brown added. “It shapes lives we may never meet.”
Reynolds is quick to remind others that philanthropy doesn’t require substantial financial resources. “There is no gift that is too small,” she said. “Philanthropy at any level allows you to stay connected.”
As the Brown family’s story illustrates, legacy is not only what we leave behind, it’s what we create while we’re here. “Think of the possibilities and don’t restrict yourself,” Reynolds said. “It may be your time. It may be your experience. It may be your donation.”
“We each have an obligation to see what role we can play,” Brown said. “It doesn’t have to be a scholarship. It can be how we’re involved in our communities and in the school.”