Robert Perry Brown

Robert (Bob) Perry Brown née Besack, age 92, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, January 30, 2018. Bob was born January 19, 1926 in Cheyenne, WY, the fifth of six children born to Bion Kirk Besack and Oda Willian Perry.

After time in Laramie, WY, Bob’s family moved west during the Great Depression, eventually settling in Oregon. Bob had many adventures with his brothers at a logging camp in Scoggins Valley. He was a product of his times and circumstance. Being raised by a single mother during the depression, Bob learned frugality, how to make do, to find satisfaction in simple things and hard work.

Bob graduated from Forest Grove High School in 1943 and then enlisted in the US Navy during WWII. He began his training in the V12 Naval Aviation Cadet Program at University of Idaho, Southern Branch, in Pocatello, ID. He graduated from midshipman school at Notre Dame as an Ensign in 1945, having studied V5 Naval Surface Programming. Bob was at Fort Skyler, NY, awaiting deployment when the Japanese surrendered. After a tour to the Philippines, Bob returned to the States, and was honorably discharged from the Navy in 1946. He immediately enlisted in the US Navy Reserve. He was happy to settle into civilian life. While serving in the US Navy Reserve, he obtained the rank of Lieutenant Commander and served as the commanding officer at the Everett Navy Reserve in the 1960s. He retired after 20 years of military service

Bob met Bertha Mae Pieper while in Pocatello and were married after the war on March 30, 1946. They came to Everett in 1952. It was here Bob and Bertha raised their family of four sons.

Keeping family ties active was important to Bob. The family tagged along for vacations to San Diego, L.A.-Disneyland and San Francisco when Bob was on Naval training. Other outings were camping trips with family and friends. Autumn was always the time for a drive to Chelan to see the changing leaves in Tumwater Canyon near Leavenworth and to get boxes of fresh picked apples. There were many trips to Pocatello and Portland for family reunions and get togethers. Sometimes these trips were on treacherous snowy two-lane highways at night. Weekends were often spent visiting with Jim and Helen, Bob’s oldest brother and his wife. Bob and Bertha’s home was always open to family who came to visit or who were just passing through.

He started his career with The West Coast Telephone Co. in Oregon after the war and transferred to Everett. Bob worked for the phone company which became GTE (later Verizon and now Frontier), where he made many lifelong friends. He ventured into sales, eventually opening B&B Motors in Lynnwood with two of his sons.

As a youth Bob took up the hobby of fishing. There were many trout and bass that found their way to the dinner table. It was his introduction to steelhead fishing that raised one of his passions. He found this special fish to be fascinating and somewhat elusive. In Oregon, there would be early morning trips to the river bank before work. Many frigid winter weekend mornings would find Bob out with neighbors, friends from work or his sons looking for the right spot to land that big one. Salmon fishing in Port Gardener Bay during the Salmon Derby was an annual event. Trips to the coast for open ocean fishing were exciting and reminded him of his time at sea in the Navy. His last trip was about 10 years ago to Barkley Sound. He spoke of this trip often.

He learned how to make due. He maintained and repaired things so they would last longer and provide a full measure of service to him and his family. His general interest in cars and the proper maintenance of them was shared with his sons. There would be a splurge every once in a while, but it was planned and budgeted for ahead of time.

Bob loved his wife and family. Being around them and having them around was all he needed to feel joy. Being a Grandfather was one of his biggest joys. He could always be found at his grandchildren’s baptisms, Priesthood ordinations, music and sporting events, Eagle Courts of Honor, mission farewells and weddings. He taught them all the important things in life like how to play Dominoes, eat cheese popcorn, fish and to always buy your burgers at Burger King.

Bob joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1978. He was sealed to his beautiful wife for time and all eternity in the Idaho Falls Temple in 1980. Being a home teacher was important to Bob and he enjoyed the home teachers who came to his home.

He touched many lives by his wit, humor and willingness to help and offer service.

Bob was preceded in death by his wife of 68 years, his parents, brothers, and sister: James, Harold, Marguerite, Richard and John. He is survived by his sons: D.R., Donald, Dale (Shari) and Doug (Lori). He also leaves behind eleven grandchildren, fourteen plus one expected great-grandchildren, two great-great-grandchildren, and beloved in-laws.

The funeral will be held on Saturday, February 17 at 11AM at the Everett LDS Chapel at 110 50th St SW, Everett. A viewing will be held at 10AM. Interment will follow immediately after the funeral.