Robert Alan Brown

COLUMBIA – Robert Alan Brown, 80, passed away on Friday, September 22, 2017. Born in Taylors, SC he was a son of the late Linier Ray and Ruth Miriam Weinstock Brown. A memorial service with full military honors will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Friday, October 6, 2017 at Fort Jackson National Cemetery. Dunbar Funeral Home, Northeast Chapel is assisting the family. Robert was a 1953 graduate of Cocoa High. Robert proudly served his country in the U.S. Army as a pilot and was a commander of an armed helicopter platoon located at Phu My, Vietnam. At the age of 31 holding the rank at the time of Chief Warrant Officer he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, one of the highest combat decorations for his heroism during a rescue mission in Vietnam when he evacuated a number of wounded Vietnamese civilians. After he retired from military service, he became a commercial pilot for BankAir Airlines. He was a dedicated and loving father, husband, grandfather, brother and friend. He is survived by his wife, Anne Lancaster Brown; daughters, Cynthia (Don W.) Rainey of Linden, N.C., Frances Lucas of Cayce, Sandra Diane (Steven) Kittrell of West Columbia and Ruth Ann Treaster (Timothy) of Pelion; son, Linier Ray Brown, II of West Columbia; daughter, Jennifer Gaye Rudisell and son Christopher “Jason” Cavanaugh both of Columbia; together they 13 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren; brother, Harry C. (Carole) Brown; sisters, Dorothy Ann McMullen and Linda Rae (Lynn) Hansel and numerous nieces and nephews.