[br][br]Richard E. Brown passed away peacefully on May 18, 2016. He was born on May 13, 1923 to Emmett R. Brown and Eula McCabe Brown on a farm in southern Iowa.
Dick attended high school in Seymour, Iowa and for a short time, Knox College in Galesburg, Illinois before enlisting in the Navy during World War II. His talent and love for woodworking started here. He was stationed in the Marshall Islands and worked as a machinist for landing crafts.
Dick returned to Iowa and married Norma Eule Long in 1948. They moved to California before coming to Spokane in 1950. Dick enjoyed a successful career in construction and founded Warner and Brown Construction, followed by Brown Building Materials in 1958.
Dick was a vital member of the Spokane community. He was driven by an innate sense of fairness, integrity and generosity. He was an active member of the Spokane Scottish Rite Free Masons and El Katif Shriners which he found extremely rewarding, made a lasting impression on all and established a wonderful group of friends. Dick volunteered nearly 5,000 hours at Spokane Shriners Hospital. He recently presented a generous donation for the hospital's EOS Imaging Suite. Devoted to institutions that meant a great deal to him, Dick dontated over 36 gallons of blood to the Inland Northwest Blood Center. He served on the Board of Directors for Spokane School District 81 as well as Deaconess Hospital. Dick was also a past president of the Inland Northwest Associated General Contractors of America.
He was the proud and loving father of three sons; Ron (Judy), Eric (Lisa), and Norm (Bernadette) and two grandsons, Jared and Trevor. Dick is also survived by his "older sister" Virginia Sales and numerous nieces and nephews. Dick is preceded in death by his wife Norma.
A special thank you to Touchmark on South Hill for all the loving and caring support.
Family and friends can celebrate Dick's life of June 6, 2016 at Touchmark on South Hill, 2929 S. Waterford Dr., Spokane, WA at 2 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Shriners Hospitals for Children - Spokane or Inland Northwest Honor Flight.
Dad...Pops...Grandad...lover of laughs, great man of genuine kindness, our teacher and advisor...we love you.