Menu
Search by Name
Search by Name
FUNERAL HOME
Robert Browne Obituary
Age 89, of Seattle, WA left this earth on March 2, 2017 in search of the perfect ski location whether it be on water or snow.
He was born at home on July 9, 1927 in Seattle, son of the late James Patrick and Elizabeth Rosella Himmelsbach Browne. He was the 3rd child of 4 being the only son in their family. He had 2 older sisters, Kathryn Mary and Erin Rose, and 1 younger sister, Bernadette Marie. Bob was a graduate of O'Dea High School class of 1945. While on tour with the Army (serving his country stateside in Indiana during the Korean War), he married Denise Cecile Lamoureux November 3, 1951 in Seattle. They made their home in and around the Seattle area raising 7 children. They made sure life was spent enjoying the outdoors. Many of the activities he enjoyed (camping, cycling, water/snow skiing, traveling and building/flying prize winning kites) he did with his friends from the service organization 'The Jubilee Club'. He was very interested in how things were made no matter what it was made of. On any outing his eyes always wandered toward the direction of the train whistle and falling powder on ski slopes. Bob dabbled in model railroading going to conventions, on excursions, tours and helping out with numerous layouts. Bob worked many years for the Boeing Company and upon retiring left to pursue employment in a ski area in Utah. Skiing was his passion. Wherever he and Denise went on a winter trip it had to include skiing. Bob continued skiing until he was 86, when his eyesight started to fail him. Over the years Bob volunteered at the food bank and helped deliver many a food basket to the needy. He would do anything for anyone within his power. There wasn't a "lamp pole" left standing that he didn't talk to. He loved to talk to anyone and anything that would listen. We'll miss your chatter Dad.
Bob is survived by Denise, his wife of 65 years; his seven children - daughters, Karen Huber and Colleen Stier of West Valley City, UT, Janet Henry (Scott) of Bothell, WA, Patricia Holloway (Ruggy) of Morgan Hill, CA & Sarah Browne of Smoky Point, WA; his sons, James Browne (Anola) and Stanley Browne (Brenda) of Seattle; 9 grandchildren, James Scott-Browne (Laura), Anola Blumberg (David), Shaun Henry, K Riley Browne, Erin Eckert (Joe), Daniel Holloway (Becca), Dalton, Delaney and Dawson Browne; and 3 great-grandsons - Oliver and Declan Blumberg and Sage Scott-Browne; as well as many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Kathryn; and daughter, Mary.
A Rosary will be said Friday, March 10th at 8AM and A Mass of Christian burial will be Saturday March 11th at 10AM, with a viewing an hour before and a luncheon following. ALL Services will be at St. Matthew's Catholic Church, 1240 NE 127th St, Seattle 98125.
The family requests that all who attend please dress in your clothes of many colors to celebrate Bob's colorful life. Burial to follow at Calvary Catholic Cemetery, Seattle.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project. The family would like to thank the staff at the Terrace Manor in Mountlake Terrace, WA and the Group Health Home Health and Hospice for all they did for Bob.
Hoffner Fisher & Harvey
Guestbook at harveyfuneral.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Robert Browne
Sponsored by The Family.
Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary
March 16, 2017
Dear Denise, Janet, Bernadette and Family,
We Sisters of the Holy Names send each of you our supportive prayers as Bob enters his eternal happiness. May his new life in God's Presence bring great peace to all who remain.
In loving Memory
Jim Browne
March 14, 2017
Condolences from Tom Moore
Jim Browne
March 14, 2017
Jim Browne
March 13, 2017
A note about the 747 & 737. In the 1960's the US Air Force selected the C-5 Galaxy as the new large transport airplane. Eventually 131 were built. Many felt a sting at not being selected and that the Boeing design was better. Much later I asked my Dad about it and he said, "when the 1000th 747 was delivered, the sting from losing the C-5 was almost gone." Dad enjoyed his contributions to the Boeing Commercial Airplane family of jets. The 50th anniversary of the first flight of the 737 is 9 April 2017. Many felt that not many 737's would be built, yet 9401 have been delivered so far.
Jim Browne
March 11, 2017
Robert James Browne (1927-2017)
I knew him as Uncle Bob and he knew me as Big Bad John'. There was no misunderstanding it or question about to whom he was speaking. He looked me straight in the eye and bellowed this from across the room as soon as he saw me. Then he would grin, come over, bend down and quiz me on the events of the day. This was his way and so it was. I was somebody to somebody and he made sure I knew it with words of affirmation and love from the point of my earliest memory. He had the gift of communication, he loved children and he saw to it that we were both seen and heard in an era where that privilege did not come as a birthright. (In case no introduction: My name is John Poole and my Mother Bernadette was Bob's little sister.)
Bob, like Bernadette after him, was born in their family home in the Cherry Hill neighborhood near Seattle's then Providence (now Swedish) hospital. His father had hired a Dr. friend from the Knights of Columbus to supervise and tend to the baby but he and his wife Elizabeth had come to know that they were likely on their own for the actual birth. Older sisters Kathryn and Erin had taught them that Elizabeth's labor was so short and her babies so fast that none of the nurses or doctors ever made it in time. When it became clear that she would not need their help, birth at home seemed much more appropriate. Depression era children, Bob's parents were efficient and not prone to waste.
The family moved to the house on Kirkwood just blocks from Green Lake when Bob was 7 or 8 years old. The Deed on the property described the location as being in The Forest south of Green Lake'. This remained the family home for 46 years until Elizabeth sold it in 1980. There they were members of St Benedicts Parish where they attended regular Sunday Mass and the kids attended elementary school. Bob went on to attend and graduate from O'Dea High school (Class of 1944). Bob's father worked out of the house as an insurance agent and together with his mother were both visible and present parents at home. Like many families they had no car and walked or rode the bus downtown or wherever their business took them.
Bernadette shared some memories of growing up with Bob. Their mother later related to her that Bob had been the youngest and getting his Mothers full attention until Bernadette arrived. As any parent of a few or more children can relate it's a bit of a switch-a-roo experience for the youngest when the new one arrives. Love at first, followed by terror and uncertainty. Who are you?? Why does mother always seem to have you in her lap? Why is she reading you a book? When will things be returning to normal? But he was a good and loving big brother who could be relied upon to help out and babysit when called upon. Their mother further related that when she returned she would always find him entertaining Bernadette, usually playing marbles or some other game together.
During WWII, many things were difficult to get and bicycles were simply unavailable. Bob came to the rescue and fetched a used' bicycle from across town somewhere for Bernadette. He went and completed the purchase his mother had arranged and rode it all the way home so she could have one. One summer in his late teens he dove from the platform off the swim dock at Green Lake with his glasses on and when he came up they were not on his face. Nearly blind though he was, this was simply another challenge to be solved. He swam back to the dock, climbed the platform, aimed for the same spot and dove again. From that angle he swam to the bottom, felt around in the muck and came up with the lost glasses. Problem solved with a repeatable process that would come to be his engineering hallmark.
As a young adult in his last days at home he finally talked his mother into buying a family car. A non-descript black Chevrolet but a car nonetheless. But much to his dismay he was then drafted by the Army and Bernadette was left to drive it. That story comes in a moment but for now Foiled again! Mom and Dad did not know how to drive and his older sisters were long gone so not only did she get to drive it but she got paid lessons from Kirshner Driving School and had unfettered access to it. Sigh...
As a young man Bob joined the Seattle Chancellor Club, an Archdiocesan approved Catholic singles club focused on social and community service activities. Separately, another available young Catholic woman, Denise Cecile Lamoureux had come to her own conclusion that the action (her word, not mine) was in Seattle rather than her native Portland, Oregon so she relocated and joined the very same club. There she met Bob who always seemed to be in the same places. He liked to do the same things as her especially in, on, and around the water. Why not join him!
But the government would throw a few obstacles in their path. They drafted Bob into the army despite his acute near-sided vision, finding a role for him and others like him in the office stateside during the Korean War. He was to be stationed in Indiana. Not as far as Korea, but geographically challenging for the budding relationship none-the-less. With simply too much distance between them Bob asked for Denise's hand in marriage on his first leave home and together they made arrangements to be wed on his 2nd leave November 5th, 1951. Prior to the wedding Denise scanned the government ads for work in Indiana and landed a job that was waiting for her there before she even left from Seattle. With the nuptials completed the newlywed couple went off to make their first home together. Just weeks later they would celebrate their first Thanksgiving dinner together, on the base. Ain't love grand!
When Bob's Army term was up they returned cross-country to Seattle in a rented car and began anew. A couple of apartments and a first home near 25th and 60th but ultimately in the longstanding Ravenna home at 5527 29th Ave NE where they raised their seven children.
Flush with years of experience saluting people' Bob applied for work at the Boeing Company. They snapped him up and sent him to Edison Technical for training. Located on Capitol Hill and with origins dating back to 1902, Edison Technical was specialized in adapting returning veterans to aerospace and other vocational trades. Focused and successful in this mission the school continued to evolve and is the core of what is today Seattle Central College'.
For Boeing he worked in R&D, a research specialist in Materials and Fasteners. Over the course of his career there he worked in all the different plants and on numerous product lines addressing challenges and translating executive speak into machinist jargon and vice versa. He worked on several different jet airframes and even the Boeing Marine Systems Hydrofoil. He could identify any plane approaching overhead by the sound of the engines long before its silhouette crossed the sky. Associated with the platforms, sure! But his real focus and responsibility was with the materials engineering that held them together. The jet airplane', he said is like a giant bumble bee but its built like a boat'. There is a structure, fuel lines, engines, control systems, cockpit, etc. that must all work in harmony and perform safely. Bob honed an expertise in his field as well as renown in his company as the one who owned that subject matter. According to company lore a young Boeing engineer asked his mentor about a challenge he was facing and for his advice on solving it. He told him that he needed to see the Boeing expert in that particular discipline. Alright, and who is that asked Jim Browne of his mentor. The man you need to see is Robert Browne. He retired in 1980 and headed for Utah in search of a second career on the ski slopes.
Bob was first and foremost a husband and family man whose faith ministry was one of service. In the Chancellor and Jubilee clubs and the food bank and for anyone that he could help he was there to serve. He did so generously and visibly with the currency that was his time and his labor. Modeling this charitable example for his kids and all of us to witness and grow from. He led from the front and spoke with his actions. He recently reflected on his father's influence and service example as a longtime member of the Knights of Columbus.
There was a long list of activities that he enjoyed with his family. Most of them outdoors whether with snow, water or wind. Snow skiing, Water skiing, Swimming, Boating, Camping, Picnicking and the Sea fair hydroplane races. Extra credit if you could plan an event that combined two or three of these. Also, Cycling, Gardening, Travel, Award winning Kites, Auto Mechanics, and Computers. And if something was worth doing it was worth doing in groups: Chancellor Club, Jubilee Club, Crystal Ski Patrol, Boeing: Road Runner RVs, Model Railroad, Camping, & Ski clubs.
From the outside looking in it was if there was more than one place where the strings attached to Uncle Bob; more than one set of control wires if you will. First, there was his academic prowess and natural curiosity with how things moved, worked, and were made. This was a fascination in search of the underlying reason. He wanted to know the logic but also to improve and optimize for repeatable outcomes. You could almost hear the motors whirring and see the wheels turning as this played out. In this mode he was very much on task. But if you moved the gear selector down just one notch he came up in passion mode. Here, he was led by a singular desire to be outdoors. In this configuration he was simply living the dream. To be in the snow at the top of the hill. To be in, on, or around the water. To be behind the wheel of the boat, or better yet at the other end of the rope. The senses were finely tuned to detect just the right calm, or wind, or other weather conditions to feed these pursuits and had a priority interrupt to halt and redirect as appropriate.
These two operational modes were orthogonal to one another. Under the proper supervision they could be managed without incident but as a rule should not be combined.
What is it about skiing that does ya? asked his daughter Colleen on the chair lift one day. Up here and I paraphrase, It's White, Its clean, its peaceful, its simple and its certain fun. Down there are bills, wives, schedules, complexity, and uncertainty. In this swooshing thing we do on two sticks. Ankle bones together. The only question was could you keep up? From behind you would see a single track where Bob had been and which was the closest thing to bread crumbs that you would have to follow. Argue with this position if you wish but it fed him until he was 86 and his declining vision would no longer allow him to ski.
Here too he was the consummate teacher willing to share his knowledge and skill, but even more, to delight in sharing his dream with others. He took Melissa Poole up on Brooks at Stevens Pass and at the top of the chair they found themselves at the top of a bowl completely fogged in. He knew there was a drop off at the far side but simply said follow me and skied the line he knew was there safely guiding her with a deliberate pace and presence and tone of voice that held her and kept her safe. Same thing in the water. Camping together at Penrose Point he told Bernadette Sit here on the dock. Hold this rope-handle that's tied to my boat. Stand up when I hit it. She skied all the way around the bay in a large loop and he sat her down gently and skillfully right back at the dock. I think they were both impressed with each other afterwards. I just did what he told me she said.
His signature move in water skiing was the dock start. Hit it he'd yell tossing a fist full of line in the air just before this full grown man was flung body and soul off the dock onto the water and into his first turn. The right driver meant that everybody on the dock was wet on the return pass. Everybody got a turn if anyone did when you went out with Bob Browne. Like the fisherman and other outdoorsman with whom he shared the water, he was always scouting the locations and the hot spots before the word got out. The perfect campsite had the boat positioned nearby in the water, unfettered by receding tides and ready to go at a moment's notice. Telephone camping reservations open on the first day of the calendar year. Nothing online. There was a whole repertoire of venues: The boat street ramp above Portage Bay, Lake Goodwin (Wenberg state park and Cedar Grove Shores), The Columbia River, Steamboat Rock. Again, if you did not ail from this outdoor virus none of this made sense. The reasoning Bob himself could not explain the imbalance in the cost/benefit analysis of blood, sweat, and tears you had to give just to toddle around in the water and snow. Didn't matter one iota. Passionate Bob was living the dream!
Bob was verbal and rarely without words. He could be chatty or instructive and informative. He engaged us in dialogue never talking at us. He wanted to know what we thought. He was a translator, a teacher, and a leader. He could parent, and love, and calm all with the tone of his voice. If it was called for he could net it out and be succinct. Other times, words just went on sale! Attention Kmart shoppers! There is a blue light special for the next 30 minutes and you are all going to hear this story that I have to tell.
Bob Browne had an established brand and there were certain logos and tag lines that we will remember him by. What have you done for the good of the order? By that he meant have you made the world a better place? Do unto others (The Golden Rule) His message was one of service, that we can be proactive in the course of our day and aim high. I know my heart and I know my mind And I know that I stick out behind. At the buffet line he knew that if it didn't fit on your plate, you didn't need it. Bob had a distinct and sharp whistle that his children could hear wherever they were and to which they were to respond with their presence. Now you really never knew whether it meant trouble or ice cream but either way you had to show.
Bob Browne truly enjoyed himself and it was no more apparent than in his smile and in his laughter. He would regularly giggle in his conversation and often bust out into unbridled laughter when recalling a funny story and his smile would linger ear to ear long after. At times he was downright silly. It was empowering and energizing to see a grown man so easily and willingly expose his tender underbelly. His example assured us that it was okay to be who we are.
Top five takeways from Uncle Bob float to the top:
First, Everyone gets a turn' and everyone will be heard.
The second is be yourself. From Bob himself in response to a friend's query: What is the secret to 65+ years of happy marriage? Separate vacations he deadpanned. Of course they did both but at times he gave himself permission to pursue his own passions as well as those of his spouse.
Thirdly, honor your spouse. For all his pursuits, Bob recognized the priority of his spouse and the sight and sound of her call. One of Denise's girlfriends gushed at his attention to her when their group of 60 somethings' were up skiing. Standing in a circle in their winter finery at the top of the mountain, Denise was struggling with a zipper and all she said was Browne! And he jumped into action leaving his small talk partner in mid-sentence to come to Denise's aid. Perhaps a more widespread example was his well-known response to Denise gliding down the pathway from the campsite arrayed in her wetsuit and scarf. As soon as he saw her or was alerted to her presence by one of his scouts EVERYTHING STOPPED! It was Denises turn to ski regardless of who was currently or who had been at the head of the queue. The nose of the boat came sharply around dodging swimmers, waiting skiers, and wailing children to pick her up at the water's edge.
Fourth, Speak your words of love out loud. Bob also knew how to compliment his spouse: Honey, you look as good in the morning as you did when we went to bed.
Fifth, Keep Holy the sacrament of marriage. Most notably is the example he set for us all in keeping Holy the sacrament of Marriage for 65+ years. Once more setting the bar high, answering the call and making the decision to love every day with his words and actions. He leaves this world a better place for his wife, 7 children and spouses, 9 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren.
After such a life it would be appropriate to simply say Rest'. But of course in this case its See ya at the bottom'! Prepared & Delivered by John Poole 11 March 2017
ROY & ROBERTTA ROHN
March 11, 2017
BOB WAS A SPECIAL GIFT OF GOD'S LOVE TO HIS CLASSMATES AND TO EVERYONE BLESSED TO KNOW HIM. MAY GOD BLESS OUR GRIEF AS RICHLY AS HE BLESSED US IN BOB'S LIFE
Always looked for the perfect wind.
Patty Holloway
March 8, 2017
March 6, 2017
Bob, may you rest in well deserved peace. It was an honor to have worked with you in MR&D at Boeing. I can recall some memorable conversations and appreciation of the integrity of your work.
May the good Lord keep you in his ever loving arms.
Mike Lamb.
Grandpa Browne
March 6, 2017
Sage, age 5 months, visited Great-Grandpa Browne at the Plaza in September 2016.
Grandpa Browne
March 6, 2017
Declan, age 2, visited Great-Grandpa Browne at the Plaza in April 2015.
Jim Browne
March 6, 2017
Visiting for Oliver's first birthday, Great-Grandpa Browne helped apply a fresh coat of stain to a wooden swing set-jungle gym and was right there with his arms out when Oliver took his first steps in the middle of the hallway.
Jim Browne
March 6, 2017
A few things I remember about Dad: before being retired for more than 30 years, Dad worked at The Boeing Company for more than 30 years. He worked at every plant between Auburn and Everett, which made the location of our childhood homes (Ravenna area of Seattle) very convenient for commuting as well as for heading out for weekend adventures to the north, south, east or west; including Boeing Employees Camping Club. Many summer Fridays Mom and the kids would pack up the Chevy station wagon and pick Dad up as he exited Boeing Plant 2, at the end of day shift, to get to a campsite and setup before dark. As with other parts of the still young commercial aerospace industry Boeing had some years of struggle which were overshadowed by years with successful airplane products that Dad worked on such as 707, 727, 737, 747, 757, 767, and 929 (commercial hydrofoil). As a Research Technical Specialist in Manufacturing Research & Development (MR&D) Dad did research and wrote reports on difficult technical aspects of building commercial airplanes. His primary area (specialty) was improvements in fastening; primarily in the details of riveting of wings that carry the airplane's fuel. The details of the riveting process result in wings that don't leak fuel and the riveted areas resist fatigue over the long service life of the airplanes. Dad always shared his interest and knowledge with employees who joined MR&D during his career. Some of his research was also on the Model 2707 (SST) which also included research into production use of electron beam welding on titanium aircraft structure. Well, after he retired most of his research focused on investment and management of Mom and Dad's savings and pension providing them with financial independence for travel, computing, kite building and other hobbies and interests.
William Kajdzik
March 5, 2017
Bob was an integral part of the Boeing Employees Model Railroad Club for many years. His contributions were many and his conversations were legendary. We will all miss his sense of humor and his willingness to help any and all.
March 5, 2017
Miss you already, Daddy.
Love you always.
Janet
Showing 1 - 14 of 14 results
Make a Donation
in Robert Browne's name
Memorial Events
for Robert Browne
How to support Robert's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreResources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read more
The Five Stages of Grief
They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read moreWays to honor Robert Browne's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
