Robert Preston Brown, Jr., 94, of Richmond, Virginia went to be with our Lord Jesus Christ after passing from COVID 19 pneumonia on Monday, December 21, 2020 (the Winter Solstice and the alignment of Saturn and Jupiter, an occurrence every 800 years). He is survived by his loving daughter, Gwynne Carlton Brown; a great man and son-in-law, George Obranic; granddaughters Jennifer Obranic, Ashley Obranic Rupprecht; grandson-in-law Jonathan Rupprecht, Amy Obranic and Christine Obranic along with great grandchildren Anna and Nathaniel Rupprecht. He is also survived by John Robert Carlton III and family; the Tennessee Browns: Tom, Stan, Carlton, Bobby and Susan and their respective families. Robert is also survived by Walter Robert Dawson and wife, Patricia Dawson. He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert Preston Brown and Mary Carlton Brown; his sisters Elizabeth Brown Clayburn and Janette Brown Carlton; his wonderful and beautiful wife Wilna Clendennin Blackwell Brown and by his loving and extremely smart eldest daughter, Gayle Lyndon Brown Obranic.
Robert also was known by many names: Bob, Brownie, Dad, Grand Daddy and Great Grand Daddy.
He was born in Alexandria Hospital in Alexandria, Virginia on July 25, 1926.
Robert served in the United States Navy from 1943 to 1950 in the rank of Gunner’s Mate Third Class V6 in Hawthorne, Nevada where they mobilized ammunition around the world to troops during WWII. He also served in the US Navy Shore Patrol in Reno, Nevada.
He graduated from George Washington high school, attended Yankton College, SD where he proudly was known as “Rebel” then graduated in 1951 from Springfield College in Springfield, MA graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Health Education and History. He also graduated from the Medical College of Virginia in 1952 with a certificate in Physical Therapy, returning to Virginia Commonwealth University for a Master’s degree in Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling 1957 to 1958.
Robert was a physical therapist who worked with many polio patients to regain the ability to walk and to have a better quality of life. He also served as an assistant administrator at Cape Fear Valley Hospital – Fayetteville, NC. It is here in 1960, where he started rescue squad services out of a bread truck winning national recognition from the Junior Chamber of Commerce. The squadron has now grown to 200 employees serving Cumberland County with emergency medical services. Robert had a career in positions of leadership in the arenas of hospital/medical administration and management. A few include: Director of Patient Programs: Institute for the Crippled & Disabled – NY, NY; Executive Director: United Cerebral Palsy Association - Miami, FL; Assistant Administrator: Jackson Memorial Hospital - Miami, FL, Administrator: Coral Cables Hospital – Miami, FL; Unit Director: G. Pierce Wood Memorial Hospital - Arcadia, FL; and Administrator: Grovemont Nursing Home - Bradenton, FL. Upon retiring, in addition to volunteering for various charities and working part-time jobs, he also dabbled in real estate sales and real estate management.
Fond remembrances: Dancing with Mom in the kitchen, chasing the dog through the house with a lamp shade on his head, cooking on the grill, power washing the roof, cutting the grass, sitting for hours taking the creeping Charlie out of the lawn, helping with homework and encouraging us to do our best, Sunday night dinners at the beach, swimming in the ocean, saving a man’s life bitten by a man of war, being kind to strangers, singing as a Tenor in the church choir, going to church, being in the men’s worship groups, rescuing a drowning toddler performing CPR all the way to the hospital, having coffee with friends, walking four miles daily until 90 years young, talking on the phone, teaching my sister and I how to change out a door knob, car maintenance, such joy in his grandchildren and his great grandchildren, friendships lasting through many decades, ringing the bell for the Salvation Army, taking fresh fruit (oranges and grapefruit) to the homeless and another 100 charities around Vero Beach, FL;, always volunteering, helping those with physical therapy tips to get up and get going, working at the church as an inventory supervisor and kitchen team member, a huge recycling advocate, a clothes horse, a barrel laugh, singing hymns, enjoying a daily paper and the wonderful books from the library reading three books (all non-fiction) a week, and of course, eating many whoppers at Burger King.
Life practices:
Worship the Lord Jesus Christ and believe He is our Savior.
Love and be faithful to your family and friends.
Eat at the same time each day. Limit any sugars except ice cream on a cone daily.
Walk as much as you can daily.
Sing. Enjoy music.
Eat fish. Eat salad. Enjoy your meals. Have one cup of hot coffee each day.
Save your money. Tithe to the church.
Always say hi to a stranger and see if you can be of any help.
Stay engaged.
Do the right thing.
The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, January 6, 2021 at Woody Funeral Home-Parham, 1771 N. Parham Rd., Richmond, VA 23229. A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. on Thursday, January 7, 2021 at Second Baptist Church (family only), 9614 River Road, Richmond, VA 23229. Open to all, he will be laid to rest at 3 p.m. on Thursday, January 7, 2021 at Mount Comfort Cemetery, 6600 S Kings Hwy, Alexandria, VA 22306.
