Louisville philanthropist Owsley Brown Frazier is dead. A spokesperson for the Frazier History Museum, which Frazier founded (as the Frazier Historical Arms Museum) in 2001, confirmed that Frazier died at a local hospital this afternoon. The cause of death is unknown at this time. Frazier, 77, retired as vice chair of the board of Brown-Forman Corporation, the Louisville-based spirits and wine company founded by his family.In a statement, Mayor Greg Fischer says that Frazier had a profound impact on Louisville."His legacy is evident across our city, from his leadership at Brown-Forman to the scholarships he created and the programs he endowed at the University of Louisville and Bellarmine University to his creation of the Frazier History Museum," says Fischer. "His generosity touched many people over several generations. The city is grateful for his many decades of dedication to making Louisville a greater community. My thoughts are with his family.”Frazier was a noted philanthropist, with significant donations to Bellarmine University, Jewish Hospital and the University of Louisville, where he was a lifetime member of the board of trustees. “I’m devastated at the passing of my dear and personal friend Owsley Brown Frazier," says University of Louisville president James Ramsey. "Neither the University of Louisville nor the citizens of our community had a better friend than Owsley. His service and incredible generosity to the university’s academic, research and athletic programs is well documented and leaves a lasting legacy to all of us, young and old. He will be missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.”
