Richard "Dick" A. Brown

Richard “Dick” A. Brown, most recently of Markesan, WI, passed away on December 3, 2022.   He was 88 years old.  He left this life in a moment of peace with his son, Ken, at his side.  Richard maintained his independence until the end.  

Richard was born in Elyria, Ohio, on September 15, 1934 to Kenneth Gilbert Brown and Marian Elizabeth Spiegelberg Brown. He married Donna Lee Treacle on December 23, 1956.  Soon after, his son Kenneth and daughter Cynthia were born. He raised his family in Hinsdale, IL.  Richard and his wife Donna made many friends over the years as they lived in Hinsdale IL, Green Lake, WI, Green Valley, AZ, and Loveland, CO.  After Donna’s death, Richard moved back to Wisconsin to be close to his Green Lake friends in the beauty of rural Wisconsin.

After graduating from Elyria High School, Richard spent 4 years as a USAF pilot before joining North Central Airlines (later Republic Airlines, then Northwest Airlines) in 1959.  He retired as a DC-10 captain just a few days short of his 60th birthday, the mandatory retirement age at the time.  During his flying career he was notorious for being safety conscious and by-the-book. He worked tirelessly for pilot benefits with the Air Line Pilots Association.  He loved flying more than anything but filled his retirement days with other activities, playing the saxophone in community bands in Green Lake and Green Valley;  restoring cars, trucks and tractors;  volunteering at the Pima Air Museum in Arizona and the Colorado Model Railroad Museum; and fishing for walleye in northern Minnesota, often with his son. 

Richard was preceded in death by his wife, Donna.  He is survived by his son, Kenneth Gilbert Brown II (Lori) of Oro Valley, AZ, daughter Cynthia Kay Brown (Larry Weil) of Fort Collins, CO, grandchildren Courtney, Kenny and Alicia and their families which include 6 great grandchildren. 

A private service will be held at a future date.  Richard will be buried next to his wife of 57 years in Elyria, Ohio.

Richard’s Methodist upbringing gave him strength in all of his days while the United States Air Force allowed him to pursue his passion for flying.  Contributions can be made to Air Force Museum Foundation, Wright-Patterson AF Base, OH (afmuseum.com/givenow) and First United Methodist Church, Elyria, OH (elyriafirstumc.org).