Russell Arthur Brown

Having been born in Grand Island, Nebraska in 1946 to a WWII pilot and nurse for parents, Russ lived in Air Force communities while growing up. The family lived in New Hampshire, Florida, Alabama, New Jersey, Japan and Tennessee. Attending the Air Force Academy was the next logical step for Russell Brown after he graduated from high school. While at the Academy, he not only made many life-long friends and many wonderful memories, he also discovered his love of flying.

After graduation, Russ went on to pilot training and then instructing. He served in Vietnam as a pilot of the Caribou aircraft. Upon entering civilian life, he worked briefly for World Airways, and PeoplExpress, then spent the rest of his career at Continental Airlines. At Continental he was based in Newark, Denver, Cleveland and Houston, but made his home in the Denver area since 1988.

Some of the activities that Russ enjoyed on a regular basis were raising and hiking with llamas, and playing with the farm goats and cats. He rescued several animals and cared for them well. Riding his tractor to mow the fields or plow snow was simply play for him. Anything related to flying sparked his interest and he enjoyed soaring with a good friend.

Four years ago, Russ decided to sponsor three incoming cadets at the Air Force Academy. Over the years, he spent many hours getting to know these young men, encouraging and supporting them in every way possible.

Russ had a wide range of interests, many of them under one umbrella: addressing perceived injustice in the world whether it be directed at people, animals or the earth itself. He was a history buff and a benefactor to several Native American organizations and has a brick with his name inscribed in the National Museum of the American Indian, in Washington D.C. With his wife, Maggie, he sponsored several children through Save the Children, and became especially close with a New Mexico family while doing his part to help improve the lives of the children. The Browns had a tradition of donating to the Heifer Project at Christmas time on behalf of their family members.

He also supported environmental causes through such organizations as Greenpeace and the Sierra Club. Russ was politically active during the last several years, working to support candidates who he believed would be instrumental in improving the quality of life for all Americans.

For the last fourteen years, there was nothing that Russ enjoyed more than being with his grandchildren: Alek, Lachlan, Ella, Avery, Ivy, Riley and Henry. He loved each of them generously and uniquely.

Russ is survived by his wife, Maggie, and children: Tina Brown Teed, Jeffrey Brown, Joshua Merrill and Seth Merrill. Russell’s mother, Enid, brother Bob and sisters Stephanie and Lynda also survive him. He will be dearly missed by all who knew him and enjoyed his humor and charm.

Flowers are appreciated, although the family prefers donations to one of the causes most valued by Russ. To donate, visit the following links:

www.redcloudschool.org

savethechildren.org

heifer.org

SierraClub.org

Arrangements under the direction of Olinger Andrews Caldwell Gibson Chapel, Castle Rock, CO.