Superfeet, a global insole industry leader and innovator known for the essential life-changing shape under every foot, announced the passing of its founder Dennis Brown. He was 96.
Brown was a decorated soldier, entrepreneur, inventor, teacher and friend. He passed away peacefully on December 31 at his home in Blaine, Washington.
With the goal of bringing affordable and meticulously engineered podiatric orthotics to the public, Brown and his partner, Christopher Smith D.P.M., formed the Superfeet company in 1977. Combining the knowledge learned from their work at Northwest Podiatric Laboratory they sought to bring an affordable over-the-counter insole to the public. Today, Superfeet is regarded as one of the leading aftermarket insole companies globally.
“In addition to helping create an entire insole industry, Dennis lived a storied life, impacting the lives of countless friends and employees,” said John Rauvola, president and CEO at Superfeet. “From becoming one of the first people to parachute behind enemy lines in World War II, to nearly representing Britain in both boxing and soccer in the 1952 Olympics, to establishing more than 60 orthotic product patents, Dennis was a truly inspiring human being. He led a life by a set of core values and will be greatly missed by anyone who had the pleasure of knowing him.”
Living up to his mantras of ‘Don’t Be Greedy’ and ‘Make Others Around You Successful,’Brown ensured Superfeet produced life-changing products and built a culture where people come first. He helped establish numerous student scholarship programs for deserving students with his wife, Audrey.
Brown is survived by Audrey, his wife of 35 years, his many close friends, and the hundreds of employees that benefited from his entrepreneurial success.
In honor of Brown, donations are being accepted at the Fisher House Foundation. The Fisher House Foundation builds comfort homes where military and veteran families can stay free of charge at military and Veterans Affairs medical centers around the world while a loved one is in the hospital.
More information about Fisher House and how to donate can be found at www.fisherhouse.org.
