Richard F. “Dick” Brown
Richard F. “Dick” Brown went to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on the morning of Dec. 7, 2025. He went gently and quietly, just as he lived his life, leaving behind a legacy of service, honor and love.
Dick was born in Schuylkill Haven, Pennsylvania, to Charles and Edna Brown, and lived there until joining the U.S. Air Force after graduating from high school. He proudly served four years and received an honor recognizing his integrity. While stationed at Patrick Air Force Base in Florida, he met his future wife, Ruth. They were married for nearly 68 years and raised three children together.
Following his military service, Dick earned an accounting degree from Penn State University and the University of Tennessee. He began his career at the Department of Energy in Oak Ridge, where he worked for 30 years. He was well known among coworkers for writing poems to honor them on birthdays.
Dick later served three years with the International Atomic Energy Agency in Vienna, Austria, touching many lives and earning the distinction of being called “the best boss they ever had.” He continued his tradition of celebrating coworkers with coffee and cake. After returning to the United States, he enjoyed contract work for government agencies in Oak Ridge.
Dick’s greatest passion was spreading the gospel of Christ. He was a longtime member of West Towne Christian Church in Knoxville and a strong advocate for missions. He supported Christian institutions financially and served physically whenever possible. Each summer, he dedicated a week of vacation to serve at Smoky Mountain Christian Service Camp, returning home with laughter-filled stories.
After retirement, Dick and Ruth spent summers serving at TCM International Institute in Heiligenkreuz, Austria, a Christian graduate seminary that trains leaders in Eastern Europe. He loved working with others who shared his same philosophy, and embraced praying with people from other cultures who loved his Lord.
In his later years, Dick served Johnson University whenever he could. A longtime financial supporter, he also volunteered by cleaning dorm windows, stuffing and stamping envelopes, and serving during Senior Saints weekends. He loved so many of the staff there and was button-popping proud to have a son and granddaughter attend.
Dick was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Edna Brown of Orwigsburg, Pennsylvania; his sister, Irene Freed of Orwigsburg; and his granddaughter, Emily Marie Brown, of Cookeville, Tennessee.
He was loved by and will be greatly missed by his wife, Ruth Brown of Powell; sons Michael Brown (Stephanie) of Powell and Rick Brown (Georgianna) of Cookeville; and daughter Kelly Brown (Gerry) of Lexington, Kentucky; grandchildren Benjamin Brown, Samuel Brown, Anna Brown, Steven Brown, Jared Brooks, Molly Rehmel and Joni Brooks; and great-grandchildren Branson Miller, Bristol Brooks, Bryson Brooks and Ella Rehmel.
The family extends special thanks to Stephanie Brown for her loving care during the past five months; to Sallie Pierce for her assistance; and to the staff and volunteers at Sacred Ground Hospice House in Knoxville, for their compassion and support.
Services to honor Dick will be held Saturday, Dec. 20, at West Towne Christian Church, 9300 Middlebrook Pike, Knoxville. The family will receive friends from noon to 2 p.m., with a celebration of life to follow at 2 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Johnson University.
Checks should be payable to Johnson University and mailed to 7900 Johnson Drive, Knoxville, TN 37998, with a note indicating the gift is in memory of Richard Brown for the student scholarship fund.
Contributions also may be made online at johnsonu.edu/donate with a memorial designation.