Robert Ismon Brown

Robert I. Brown, husband of Susan Brown (Murray), father of Marcus Brown (Farrah), Nathan Brown, Kim Brown, and Julie Scott (John). Grandfather of Micah Brown, Lucas Brown, Caden Brown, Emilee Brown, Noah Brown, Liam Brown, Grace Scott, and Austin Scott passed away on June 21, 2025. He is preceded in death by his parents Ralph Dye Brown and Mildred Louise Brown (Jones) and by his grandson Micah Brown. He is survived by his wife Susan and his children.
Robert I. Brown was born on February 28, 1951, in Richfield, Ohio, to Ralph Brown and Mildred Brown (Jones). Bob, as he was known by nearly everyone except his mother, was an unexpected joy for two parents who never expected to have a child together. He grew up surrounded by the richness of his family and the church. Growing up in rural Ohio, he would find great pleasure in exploring nature, building projects with his father, and reading. From an early age, he felt the call to ministry, as he was active in his church youth group. His first job during high school and continuing into his college years was at Moody Radio WCRF-FM in Brecksville, Ohio. He graduated from Revere High School in Richfield in 1969.
He then attended Moody Bible Institute in Chicago where he met his future wife Susan Murray. During his time at Moody, he greatly enjoyed the opportunity to preach and minister throughout Chicago. Upon graduating from Moody in 1972, he returned to Ohio to become the senior pastor of Pleasant Valley Baptist Church in Parma, Ohio. While pastoring, he also attended the University of Akron. He and Susan were married on September 8, 1973, in Cleveland, Ohio. He completed his bachelor's degree in philosophy and history, graduating as the class valedictorian in 1975.
Bob and Sue then moved to Newburyport, Massachusetts, where Bob began studying at Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary. He graduated in 1977 with a master's degree in theological studies with an emphasis on the Old Testament. Just weeks before his graduation, he and Sue welcomed their first child, Marcus Robert. Shortly after graduation, they moved to Bolingbrook, Illinois, where Bob served as the pastor of Fellowship Chapel, after being ordained as a minister in the Christian & Missionary Alliance. During his time at Fellowship Chapel, he oversaw a building project and started an adult Bible study in Naperville that he led for several decades.
In 1979, Bob and Sue welcomed their second child Nathan Murray, followed by their daughter Julie Louise in 1982.
In 1985, Bob left full-time vocational ministry to pursue a different career path, first as a computer consultant with Crawford & Associates, and later opening his own business - Robert Brown, Micro Consultant. He taught himself a variety of computer programming languages and would author several software applications used by his clients for many years. He operated his business successfully for over 34 years, proudly serving a diverse array of businesses and organizations around the Chicagoland area.
From 1987 until 2007, Bob also taught at Joliet Junior College as an adjunct professor of philosophy and ethics.
Bob and Sue began attending Chicago First Church of the Nazarene in Lemont, Illinois, in 1985. Bob served the church in a variety of ways, including as a Sunday School teacher, adult Bible study leader, and board member. He became ordained in the Church of the Nazarene in 2010 and joined the church staff, first serving as the Connections Pastor for Education and then as the Pastor for Care and Senior Ministries. For nearly twenty years, he prepared weekly study notes for the church. He remained on staff serving the church until his death.
Bob was loved and respected by the many people who he met during his careers in ministry, teaching, and consulting.
He enjoyed being with his family, especially his grandchildren. As an only child, he developed a deep interest in his family's history and became the resident genealogist, spending much time and many trips researching his family tree. He was also a voracious reader, collecting a voluminous personal library. He had an eclectic taste in music, ranging from southern gospel to folk to movie soundtracks. He also learned to play the piano by ear and could occasionally be convinced to perform when asked.
Bob loved leading Sunday School classes and Bible studies, preaching, and mentoring young men and women in ministry.
Bob will be remembered for his deep love of his wife, his children, his grandchildren, and his church community, but most of all, he will be remembered for his love of Jesus.
Bob's visitation will take place on Saturday, June 28, 2025, from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m., located at First Nazarene Church, 12725 Bell Road, Lemont, Illinois 60439. His funeral service will begin right at 1:00 p.m. The burial will be private and for family only.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to First Nazarene Church in Lemont in support of Nazarene world missions (https://firstnaz.cc/give/).
Funeral arrangements entrusted to McCauley-Sullivan Funeral Home & Crematorium.