A former Student Government Association president and the son of the current Georgia Tech Alumni Association board of trustees chairman was killed in action in Iraq on Sept. 14.

Tyler Brown, Mgt 01, HTS 01, died when his unit was ambushed by insurgents in the Iraqi town of Ar Ramadi, according to an Army spokesman.

The Army 1st lieutenant was the son of Sally and Carey Brown, IE 69, and brother of Brent Brown, Mgt 96. Twenty-six-year-old Tyler Brown was buried with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery on Sept. 28.

"Tyler Brown was a great leader and a great patriot. His sacrifice exemplifies the extraordinary tradition of Tech alumni serving our country over the years. It's a sad day for his family, Georgia Tech and the country," said Joe Irwin, IM 80, president of the Georgia Tech Alumni Association.

Brent Brown told the Atlanta Journal-Constitition, "He died for the country he loved, doing what he wanted to do. He lived well and died a hero. He lived life to the fullest, he truly did. He became a role model to me."

The Brown family has established a scholarship fund in Tyler's name. Donations may be made to the Georgia Tech Foundation.

Tyler Brown served as SGA president during the 1999-2000 academic year. His father also had served as student body president while at Tech. A member of Kappa Alpha and ROTC at Tech, Tyler was deployed to Iraq from South Korea with the 2nd Infantry Division in August.

"As student body president he was committed to inclusion. Tyler went to great lengths to include students who had never even thought of being involved in student government," Dean of Students Gail DiSabatino said. "As I talked with some older students and young alumni recently, they attributed their start in becoming involved on campus to Tyler.

"Tyler was an excellent leader. He cared greatly about Georgia Tech, his family and his country. These values will be his legacy. He made a difference in many people's lives, including mine," DiSabatino said.

His brother-in-law, Walker Houk, told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, "I think in 26 years he touched more lives than most people do in their entire life."

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