Richard H. Brown, 89, was peacefully called home by his Lord and Savior on Saturday, July 20, 2024.

Richard was born on September 21,1934, in Grand Island, Nebraska to Willard and Leola (Horne) Brown. He received Christ at the age of 14. His younger years were spent in Hutchinson, Kansas and then in Salina, Kansas where he graduated from Washington High School in 1952.

Rich attended Kansas State University where he met Bonnie Fuller, the love of his life, at the Baptist Youth Fellowship. On June 3, 1956, Rich and Bonnie were married at the First United Methodist Church in Augusta, Kansas. Early in their marriage, Rich was drafted to serve in the Army and was stationed in Frankfurt, Germany. Part of his duties included working as a weather reader, leading to Rich's lifelong interest in weather.

Rich and Bonnie also enjoyed travelling throughout Germany and the United Kingdom during his time of service. Stories and memories of these incredible travels were often shared with family and friends. While living in Germany, they were also blessed with their son, Cameron, on December 30, 1958.

After concluding Rich's international military service, they returned to the United States and lived in Clearwater, Kansas. Rich began his 28-year career with International Harvester. Their first daughter, Cheryl, was born in Blackwell, Oklahoma on July 19, 1962. Their second daughter, Carla, was born in Springfield, Missouri on September 27, 1967. In 1968, after many travels and moves during the first 12 years of their marriage, Rich and Bonnie settled in Overland Park, KS, where they raised their children and became deeply rooted in their church community.

As charter members of Valley View United Methodist Church, Rich and Bonnie served faithfully and joyously in many ways. Rich walked out his faith by volunteering as a Stephen Minister, assisting with a developmentally disabled ministry, and working in the food pantry.

In their later years, Rich and Bonnie moved to Tallgrass Creek Senior Living Community, where they reconnected with old friends and made many new friends. They were active in physical fitness and remained committed to their church involvement. In 2018, Bonnie went to meet her Lord. In 2021, Rich moved to Wichita Presbyterian Manor to spend a special year with local family while reconnecting with the Wichita area.

In 2022, Rich moved to The Heritage at Shalimar Gardens in Fremont, Nebraska. While there, he was blessed to welcome his third great-grandson, enjoyed lots of time with family, participated in many activities, and made new friends.

Above all, Rich loved to spend time in God's Word, doing daily devotions and being strengthened in his faith. He was a prayer warrior. Hearing from grandchildren through calls, visits or pictures on his digital picture frame brought him joy. He never met a stranger, always taking time to call people by name.

Rich finished strong in his faith and surrounded by those who loved him dearly.

Rich is survived by son Cameron (Shenel) Brown, Many, Louisiana; daughters Cheryl (Rick) Kanoy, Arlington, Nebraska and Carla (Craig) Pannell, Goddard, Kansas; grandchildren Jim Brown, David (Christina) Brown, Jason (Jeanne) Brown, Tessa (Josh) Miller, Randi Jo (Jon) Miller-DeLoach, Makayla (Clayton) Harris, Josh Kanoy, Sarah (Zach) Belter, Jonah Kanoy, Dr. Barrett Pannell, Cedric Pannell and Bethany Pannell; great-grandchildren, Michael Brown, Beau Brown, and Andrew Belter. He is also survived by brother John (Sherilea) Brown, step-brother Jerry Reinhardt, and many nieces and nephews.

Richard was preceded in death by his wife Bonnie; parents; step-mother, Elsie Brown; parents-in-law, Everett and Verdi Fuller; sister LeOlive Rogge; and brothers-in-law, Gene Rogge and Richard Fuller.

A memorial service will be at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Arlington, NE, August 10 at 9:00 am https://www.youtube.com/live/VrI3RTwTH0I followed by a reception. In addition, a Celebration of Life will be at The Heritage at Shalimar Gardens later the same day. Interment will be at a later date in Baxter Springs, Kansas.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks for memorials to be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital (stjude.org) or St. Paul's Lutheran Church memorial fund, 8951 County Road 9, Arlington, NE 68002.