Robert Dale Brown

Bob Dale Brown was a proud Christian who embraced the Lord as his guide in life. He always kept his family in the center of his heart, and he tried each day to bring happiness into their lives. Bob was a loving father who regarded the birth of his son as the greatest accomplishment in his life. With a victorious end to the Second World War, thousands of young American soldiers returned home to their civilian lives and started families of their own. The baby boom was underway, and in Muskegon, Michigan, Edward J. Brown and his wife Dorothy May were among the many expecting parents. On June 28, 1948 they were blessed with the healthy birth of their son Robert Dale. The eldest of four children, Bob grew up with the company of his three brothers. Edward was born in 1954, followed by Ronald in 1956 and Richard in 1966. While their mother tended to the house and looked after the children, their father provided for the family through his job at Continental Motors. The Browns lived in a few different places in Muskegon before settling into the house on MacArthur, located on the East Side of town. Bob was very close to each of his brothers: sometimes they played together, sometimes they fought, sometimes they drove each other nuts. Ed was very sick as a child and Bob made sure to look after him and keep him entertained. When Ed recovered, he started following Bob wherever he went. They played football, baseball, and basketball together. Since their house was situated on a large, heavily wooded lot, Bob and his brothers spent one summer cutting down trees and clearing the stumps to make room for a basketball court. Ed and Ron sometimes picked on Bob. In one instance, Ed threw a baseball at him and knocked out a tooth-he doesn't remember how or why this happened, but he remembers that it happened. Through their good times and their bruises, Bob and his brothers always remained close friends and valuable companions. Even in his younger years, Bob demonstrated a strong religious faith. He attended Sheridan Road Baptist Church, where he was awarded a Bible for perfect attendance and for learning the Ten Commandments. Bob was a bright child who liked to try everything out for himself. He even played the guitar, modeling his style after what his mother called the hillbilly side of music. He attended the Orchard View Schools, where he played baseball and volunteered as a crossing guard, and graduated from Orchard View High School in 1966. After high school, Bob enrolled at Muskegon Business College where he studied accounting for one year with a view toward becoming a CPA. Instead, he joined the US Army in 1968. After completing his basic training in Fort Knox, Kentucky, Bob was appointed a postal clerk for the army. He served a tour in Seoul where he met his wife Anna, a native of Korea. She was a pretty girl, and Bob got along well with her family; he even lived with them for a time. After Seoul, Bob did a tour a Viet Nam, for which he was awarded a Bronze Star for heroism. He never said much about this part of his life. According to his brother Ed, Bob was flying in orders to hot zones when he had to become the gunner after they were fired upon. He then returned to Korea, where he completed another tour of duty. Bob and Anna were blessed with one child, who they always regarded as the greatest achievement in their life together. Timmy was born on May 6, 1975 in Korea with a head of long, black, curly hair that he inherited from Bob. (When Bob was a baby, he had a curly head of hair that "would put most girls to shame," as his mother recalls.) Timmy was not a healthy child: he had trouble sitting up and he was very weak. Bob loved him very much, and he would often bring him to work with him. They traveled to the United States for a short visit so that Timmy could meet his grandparents and receive treatment. But the doctors could not do anything for Timmy, and he died in 1978, at the age of three. This was very tough on Bob. He never quite got over his loss. Bob continued his career in the Army. Over the years he was stationed in various places around the United States. His last duty was in Italy, where he retired in 1988 after twenty years of service. He and Anna then moved to Killeen, Texas, where Bob sold insurance on the Army base and eventually ended up running a 7/11 convenience store. Bob and Anna's marriage ended there in Texas. During his time in Texas, Bob suffered his first heart attack. His health was beginning to fail. After his father died in 1999, Bob moved back to Muskegon where he became very involved with the First Baptist Church. Several of his relatives belonged to the congregation, and Bob found his place among them. He was very proud of becoming a Christian. His ministry was to send out cards to shut-ins, and he loved listening to the Hand Bell Choir. Although Bob's health was failing him, he kept to many of his old habits and remained the same person that he had always been. He was still a big fan of the Muskegon Fury hockey team. He even bought season tickets for his brother Ed. Bob rarely ever missed a home game, and would arrive at the stadium with his oxygen tank. He also loved to fish, a hobby that he first explored with his grandfather, and he always kept his pole and tackle box in the trunk of his car. This last year was hard for Bob. He was in and out of several nursing homes, and his heart was growing weaker. His faith and the love of his family and friends helped guide him through his hardship. Among the many people whose hearts he touched, Bob will be greatly missed and frequently remembered. Bob died on Thursday, February 16, 2006. SURVIVORS Mother, Dorothy Brown; 3 brothers, Edward Brown of North Muskegon, Ronald Brown of GA & Richard (Sonya) Brown of Norton Shores; aunt, Helen Pontiatowki; nieces, Sophie & Adele & nephew, Jordon. He was preceded in death by his father, Edward in 1999 & a son, Timothy in 1978. SERVICE Tuesday, February 21, 2006, 1:00 PM at First Baptist Church with Rev. John Brown officiating. Interment at Norton Cemetery. VISITATION Monday, 7-9 PM at Clock Funeral Home. MEMORIAL: First Baptist Church Memorial Fund. Please visit Bob's personal memory page at www.lifestorynet.com, where you can archive a favorite memory, sign the guestbook, or post a memorial contribution.