CHAPMAN – Richard S. Brown, 82, beloved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather passed away peacefully March 22, 2011, surrounded by his family at The Aroostook Medical Center. He was born Dec. 16, 1928, in Butte, Mont., to Ronda and Katherine Brown and was one of six children.
He attended school at Emerson School and Butte High School. He joined the Marine Corps at age 17, and was proud to serve during World War II with the Marine Air Wing in China. He was recalled to the Marines in September 1950 for the Korean War and married his first love Sept. 9, 1950, before he reported for duty to El Toro Air Base in California. After his honorable discharge from the Marines, he and his wife settled in Pocatello, Idaho, where he worked for Union Pacific Railroad as a brakeman. During this period of time, he attended Idaho State University and graduated in 1957 with a bachelor’s degree in business. He worked part time while going to school for J.R. Simplot Co. and after graduation he became personnel and safety director for the company and worked with the company for the next 12 years. In 1969 he moved his family to Boise, Idaho, after being appointed to the Idaho State Industrial Accident Board by the governor of Idaho and where he held that position for two years. In 1970 he and his family moved to Presque Isle where he became director of operations for Potato Service Inc. His position required him and his family to move to Grand Forks, N.D., for two years, and then on to Great Neck, N.Y., for two years. In 1976 he and his family returned to Presque Isle where he became executive director for Potato Service’s plants and where he continued to work until 1982 when he resigned from that position. At this point Richard became an independent consultant and also a union negotiator for the next two years. In 1984 he joined his wife Helen Brown in the operation of Astrobowl Lanes, which became a Family Fun Center for the Presque Isle community. Richard and Helen spent their next 12 years together 24/7 in this business before retiring and the closing the business in 1994. Richard received his 50-year service pin from the Masonic Lodge last year and was a past member of Scottish Rites and Anah Shrine Temple, Boise, Idaho. Richard loved the challenge of golf, always took pride in his well-groomed lawn and enjoyed challenging the mind through completing crossword puzzles. What Richard loved most of all was the opportunity to travel. He, his wife, and their two children have experienced traveling together throughout the United States and seven provinces of Canada, always enjoyed the time together taking in the beauty of nature.
Richard is survived by his wife of 60 years, Helen Brown; his daughter and son-in-law, Nancy and Eric McEachern; son and daughter-in-law, Grady and Germaine Brown; in addition to honorary son and daughter, Stacey and Norma Dawson; as well as adopted grandson, Frank Dawson; 11 loving grandchildren and 10 beloved great-grandchildren, all of whom will sorely miss his sage advice and rapier wit.
A memorial service will be held 7 p.m. Friday, March 25, at Duncan-Graves Funeral Home, 30 Church St., Presque Isle, with Pastor Larry Palmer officiating. Friends may call 6 p.m. until the time of service at the funeral home. Online condolences may be expressed at
www.duncan-graves.com.