Richard Brown

Richard F. Brown (Dick) went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on the morning of Dec. 7, 2025. He went gently and quietly, just as he lived his life, leaving behind a legacy of service, honor and love. Dick was born in Schuylkill Haven, PA to Charles and Edna Brown and lived there until he joined the United States Air Force after he graduated high school. He proudly served for four years and received an honor for his integrity. He met his wife, Ruth, while stationed at Patrick Air Force Base in FL. They were happily married for almost 68 years and raised three children together. After the Air Force, Dick earned his accounting degree at Penn State University and the University of Tennessee. He went to work immediately at the Department of Energy in Oak Ridge where he worked for the next 30 years. He was known around the office to write poems for coworkers honoring them on birthdays. He then went to the International Atomic Energy Agency in Vienna Austria for three years, touching the lives of many who referred to him as the "Best boss they ever had!" Again, always remembering birthdays and honoring them with a break in the daily grind for coffee and cake. When he returned to the states, he enjoyed doing contract work for the government agencies in Oak Ridge. His real passion was in spreading the gospel of Christ. He was a member of West Towne Christian Church in Knoxville and was a strong advocate for missions for all the years he attended. He not only advocated but supported institutions financially and served physically when he could. He always took a week of vacation during the summer to serve at the Smoky Mountain Christian Service Camp returning home with shoulder shaking laughter as he told story after story. After he retired, he and Ruth spent summers serving at TCM International Institute in Heiligenkreuz, Austria, a Christian graduate seminary that trains, equips and develops leaders in Eastern Europe. He loved working with others that shared his same desire and embraced praying with people from other cultures who loved his Lord. In his later years, Dick served Johnson University any time he could. He was a long-time financial supporter but jumped at the chance to clean dorm windows at the beginning of the summer, stuff and stamp envelopes, or serve at the Senior Saints weekends. He loved so many of the staff there and was button-popping proud to have a son and granddaughter attend. Dick was preceded in death by his father and mother, (Charles and Edna Brown of Orwigsburg PA), his sister (Irene Freed of Orwigsburg, PA) and his granddaughter (Emily Marie Brown of Cookeville, TN). He was loved by and will be greatly missed by his wife, (Ruth Brown of Powell TN) his sons, Michael (and wife, Stephanie of Powell TN), Rick (and wife, Georgianna, of Cookeville, TN), and his daughter, Kelly (and husband, Gerry of Lexington, KY). He is also survived by grandchildren, Benjamin Brown, Samuel Brown, Anna Brown, Steven Brown, Jared Brooks, Molly Rehmel, and Joni Brooks, and great grandchildren Branson Miller, Bristol Brooks, Bryson Brooks and Ella Rehmel. Special thanks to Stephanie Brown who kindly and lovingly spent many hours caring for Dick during the past five months and to Sallie Pierce who assisted. Also,many thanks to the loving staff and volunteers at the Sacred Ground Hospice House in Knoxville who made our last days with Dick so much better. Services to honor Dick will be Saturday, December 20th at West Towne Christian Church 9300 Middlebrook Pike Knoxville, TN 37931. Family will receive friends from 12:00-2:00 with a celebration of life following at 2:00. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Johnson University. CHECKS should be made payable to JOHNSON UNIVERSITY and mailed to 7900 Johnson Drive, Knoxville, TN 37998 with a note that it is in memory of Richard Brown and for the scholarship fund for students. Contributions can also be made online at www.JohnsonU.edu/donate with a memorial designation. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Richard (Dick) Brown, please visit our floral store.