---
title: ‘Really Big Shoes to Fill’
date: 2024-11-25T05:30:00-05:00
author: University of Maryland
canonical_url: "https://today.umd.edu/really-big-shoes-to-fill"
section: Articles
---
# ‘Really Big Shoes to Fill’

*November 25, 2024* — by [Sala Levin ’10](/author/sala-levin-10)


> New Scholarships Honor Memory of Bentley’s Founder John Brown

*Bentleys ZC4 U0834 2 1920x1080 — Two new scholarships honor the legacy of John Brown ‘73 (below) who opened College Park institution R.J Bentley’s in 1978. Brown died on Nov. 9.*

The weathered sign over the door reads “R.J. Bentley’s,” but just about everyone who stepped inside knew it was really John Brown’s.

The 1973 graduate of the University of Maryland opened the bar and restaurant down the street on Baltimore Avenue in College Park with two partners in 1978, and never left. He was a second dad to generations of students, giver of bear hugs, collector of license plates and Terp jerseys, and always a welcoming host to newcomers and regulars alike.

But Katie Brown Ph.D. ’12 knew the man as just Dad. “He left a huge legacy and really big shoes for us to fill,” said Brown, one of his three children. “My family is trying to figure out what we do without John Brown.”

Brown died of heart failure suddenly on Nov. 9 while visiting family in Savannah, Ga. To honor the incredible impact Brown made on the College Park community, John Brown’s family and Harvey Sanders ’72, the former chairman and CEO of Nautica, have established [two scholarship funds](https://giving.umd.edu/campaigns/bespoke/brown?kwodcpreselect=KDC-CP17777), one for first-generation college students and one for student-athletes at the University of Maryland.


*John Brown portrait*


*signed image of coach, player and restaurateer in office — Brown was a major supporter of Maryland Athletics. Former men’s basketball coach Gary Williams (left) was a close friend. At left, Brown shakes hands with Walt Williams '92, a Terps basketball star who became known as “The Wizard” in 11 seasons with the NBA. His jersey is framed on the wall behind them in this photograph signed by Gary Williams.*



**Sidebar note:**

John Brown’s family will hold a celebration of his life at R.J. Bentley’s at 6 p.m. Dec. 3. To contribute to the scholarship funds created in his name, visit [giving.umd.edu](https://giving.umd.edu/campaigns/bespoke/brown?kwodcpreselect=KDC-CP17777).





**Topics:** [Campus & Community](https://today.umd.edu/tags/campus-community), [People](https://today.umd.edu/tags/people)


**Tags:** [Alumni](https://today.umd.edu/topic/alumni), [Philanthropy](https://today.umd.edu/topic/philanthropy)


**Units:** [Alumni Association](https://today.umd.edu/topic/alumni-association), [Department of Intercollegiate Athletics](https://today.umd.edu/topic/department-intercollegiate-athletics), [Robert H. Smith School of Business](https://today.umd.edu/topic/robert-h-smith-school-business)