Robert Bruce Brown

West Point, 1955

Be Thou At Peace

Posted by David Wojciechowski on December 9, 2003:

These are the notes I spoke from for Bob's eulogy. Several personal stories I spoke of (Bob's skiing adventures, Bob's love of his grandchildren) are not included here. The public obituary was read at Bob's memorial by son-in-law, Don Bischoff. -------------- I would like to read from the NKJV Bible, since that was Bob?s favorite. Romans 12: 1-2 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Bob has been my friend and mentor for almost seven years. He was always quick to downplay the ?mentor? title I bestowed him with. Nevertheless, such a wise and trusted teacher (the definition of mentor) rarely comes into ones life. I remember well the first real bonding experience that brought Bob and I close together. At the time I was in charge of Men?s Ministries for Riverside Alliance. I solicited the men to help me with an idea I had. Bob stepped forward to help. So, the day before Mother?s Day, seven couples, including Bob and his bride, Helene, participated in what we called, An Evening of Honor. Amazingly, all seven men, including me, were able to fool our wives and serendipitously get them to the church on Saturday evening. The ladies were surprised to find our pastor waiting for us, where he gave a brief, personal message on marriage, commitment and love. We worshiped for a while, then each couple spent some individual time together where each bride received a love note written by their husband earlier in the week. The men then came together and prepared a meal for the ladies. We would later serve them, then eat with them. During the meal, each man stood, and told the group why his bride was so special. Afterwards the men cleaned, then the group retired to Baskin Robbins for dessert. However, I?ve left out one distinctive moment that I remember so well. To begin the evening we bathed our wives feet. We lined up seven chairs and had the ladies sit, shoulder to shoulder. Each man knelt before his bride, and bathed and massaged her feet. Feet were then dried, and oil or lotion was applied. I remember so well, that I had the fortune to be kneeling next to Bob, for I remember the tears streaming down Helene?s face as it beamed with love and she said to him, ?Oh Bob, I think you missed your real calling in life.? From that day forward, Bob was a man I desired to know deeply. He was a man who served. He helped me, for several years like no other man, with the men?s ministry. But also reached out to me in other ways. I had been looking, for some time, for a Christian small men?s group. Bob invited me to the group he attended ? that I?d later find out, he helped found. I believe the first time I attended the group I arrived earlier than Bob. I think that morning, almost seven years ago, was the ONLY time that happened. Bob was a disciplined man. He used to say, ?Better never than late.? An obvious play on words, but poignant nonetheless because I was usually the one who arrived late to the group. Such was Bob?s gentle discipline. "Choose the harder right instead of the easier wrong" On the day I found out that Bob passed away, I remember driving up the Brown?s driveway. I could distinctly see Bob?s foot prints in the snow where he?d gone walking that morning. Hebrews 12: 1-3 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Bob was a caring man. I remember missing one of our regular morning Bible studies. Out of the blue, he showed up at my office to check on me. I do not believe that anyone else has ever done this for me, or I for them. Occasionally we?ll call each other just to check on one another, but Bob tended to go the extra mile. He truly cared. To illustrate: I remember Bob telling us once that he and Helene had been in town and were headed home. For those that don?t know, Bob and Helene live a ways east of Kalispell. On this particular day driving home, tired as they were, Bob stopped to help a man holding a gas can in Creston. The young man just needed a lift to the nearest gas station. Well, the nearest gas station was back in Kalispell. So, even though only a few miles from home, Bob and Helene brought the man back to Kalispell, then back to his car. Bob was an educated man. He lead our small men?s group. Again, he was quick to shirk that title of leader, but we all knew who was in charge. Just last week, he gave me something to photocopy for the group. I?d like to read it to you now. It?s entitled, ?Developing Christian Character.? Galatians 5: 22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Bob was a loving man. This is a poem he gave to his bride, Helene. I read it to you now with her permission. Across The Years by Robert Sexton Across the years I will walk with you in deep green forests; on shores of sand, and when our time on earth is through, in heaven, too, you will have my hand. Bob ran the race, and he finished well. 1 Corinthians 9: 24-27 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified. Bob, you were my mentor and friend. I will miss you. I love you, Bob. -------------- Public Obituary Robert B. Brown, a man centered on God, his family, and his country, died Thursday, December 4, 2003 at his home of natural causes. He was 74. A memorial service will be held on Monday, December 8, at 10:30 AM, at Riverside Vineyard Church, 859 W. Reserve Drive. Burial will take place at Montana State Veterans Cemetery, in Helena, on Thursday, December 11, at 1:00 PM. Funeral arrangements are being arranged through Johnson Mortuary and Crematory in Kalispell. Bob loved his family very much. He is survived by his wife, Helene Brown; daughters Kathleen Bischoff (and son-in-law, Don, and grandchildren, Luke, Joel, Amy, Ellen, and Mary) of Helena, and Susan Salonen (and son-in-law, Bill, and grandsons, Andrew and Ryan) of Great Falls; brother, James C. Brown, of Syracuse, Indiana; brother-in-law, Louis Arrotta, of Newburgh, New York; and step-mother, Allie Brown, of Marion, Indiana. Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Kenneth Brown and Delores Lines, and brother, David R. Brown. Bob was born on August 5, 1929, in Marion, Indiana. After graduating from Marion High School, Bob completed one semester at Purdue University before enlisting in the US Army. He served three years in the Army before entering the United States Military Academy at West Point. Upon graduation from West Point in 1955, Bob married his sweetheart of four years, Helene Arrotta. Together, for the next twenty years, they were stationed at several Army bases throughout the United States and the world, including the Pentagon. Having served in Korea and in Vietnam, Bob retired as a Lt. Col. He received the Bronze Star Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, and various campaign medals. After retirement from the Army, Bob and his family moved to Missoula, Montana to enjoy the beauty of the west. Bob received a teaching certificate and a Masters Degree from the University of Montana. Bob was a dedicated educator that served in the positions of teacher, principal, professor, personnel director, and superintendent in Missoula, Hardin, Bozeman, and Clancy. Bob and Helene moved to the Many Lakes area of Flathead Valley in 1989. Bob?s interests included skiing, hiking, and football (he was a big Broncos fan). He enjoyed teaching Spanish and meeting with his Wednesday morning men?s Bible Study group. Bob was a man of integrity and character. He was a faithful servant and friend. He loved his wife, daughters, and family very much. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be sent to Flathead Pro-Life, Kalispell, or to the donor?s choice.

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