Robert Earl Brown

Robert Earl Brown was called to his heavenly home on January 9, 2026. He was born in Roseville, Michigan to Herbert and Martha Brown, and was the oldest of four children. He was baptized into the Lutheran Church on June 21, 1936. Although he contracted polio when he was a child, Robert recovered and learned the value of hard work delivering daily newspapers in the suburbs of Detroit to over 200 customers. At age 14 Robert was confirmed in the faith at Bethlehem Lutheran Church.

His family moved to Glendora, CA where Robert's father built and owned an apartment complex. He graduated from Citrus High School and attended 2 years at Citrus Junior College. In 1958 Robert enlisted in the Army and completed his basic training at Fort Ord, CA. He then spent 9 months at the Army Signal Corps School in Fort Monmouth, NJ where he completed a course in microwave installation. Robert was promoted to specialist and assigned command of a microwave relay station in Stuttgart, Germany. He was discharged from the army after 2 years of service and returned to Glendora.

Robert met his wife Shirley Mosshammer who was a teacher at Hope Lutheran School where his family were long-time church members. Robert and Shirley were married on November 24, 1962 at Hope Lutheran Church in Glendora. Robert was employed by Pacific Telephone and Telegraph using the skills he gained in military training. He and Shirley bought a home in Ontario where their three oldest children, Christina, Stephen and Lisa were born. The family became members of Redeemer Lutheran Church in Ontario in 1963. They moved to a larger home closer to the church before the birth of their youngest child, David. All of the children attended Redeemer Lutheran School and Shirley taught there for many years. Robert was very active in the church, serving on the church council, as an elder and as president of the congregation.

During this time Robert worked for AT&T in the Anaheim and Mission Viejo offices. He took an early retirement from AT&T and was able to spend more time volunteering at church during the planning and construction of Redeemer's preschool building. In 1990 Robert bought Alosta Ace Hardware in Glendora on Route 66. The store was adjacent to the apartment complex built by his father. He prided himself on excellent customer service and became involved in the Chamber of Commerce and the Rotary Club in Glendora. Robert and Shirley transferred their membership to First Lutheran Church in Lake Elsinore where their son-in-law was called as Pastor in 1998. In 2006 Robert sold the hardware store and devoted more time to his family and church. Once again he served on the church council and as an elder.

Faith in Christ, love for his family and service to others were the themes of Robert's life until the day of his passing. He will always be in the hearts of his wife of 63 years, Shirley, his 4 children, 13 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren who look forward to a joyous reunion in heaven.