Robert William Brown

Robert was born in Des Moines, Iowa to Margaret Esther Powers and Richard Earl Blanchard on February 27, 1941. His parents divorced when he was young. When he was 12 years old he, his mother and his sister moved to North Bend, OR. His mother remarried and he and his sister Pat were adopted by their stepfather Hugh Brown. Robert went to North Bend High School and graduated in 1959.

He then went to Linfield College in McMinnville, OR. In the summer of 1961 he met Elizabeth Anne Smith when they were both working at the Menasha Paper Mill in Coos Bay, OR. They married in 1962 and returned to McMinnville where Robert graduated from Linfield College in 1964. He entered the Navy and served one tour of duty in Vietnam aboard the USS Coral Sea. In 1965 his oldest daughter Wendy was born. After his son Paul was born in 1968, he left Navy active duty, but remained in the Naval Reserves.

Robert and his young family returned home to North Bend where he took a position working for Independent Stevedore. His youngest child, Aimee was born in 1970. Robert built a house on Vista Drive in North Bend. He was involved in the Kiwanis Club and with North Bend High School Alumni Association. He and Elizabeth divorced in 1977. In 1978 he accepted a position at Grays Harbor Stevedore Company in Aberdeen WA and moved there with his 3 kids. In 1980 an opportunity to work for American President Lines in Oakland, CA presented itself and the family was on the move again. A breakroom at APL was where he met Laurice Watts and in 1984 they were married.

They lived in Concord until 1989 when he was offered a position at the Port of Vancouver in Vancouver, WA where he could be closer to his daughters and grandchildren. He eventually retired from the Navy a Leiutenant Commander. After retirement he spent time with family and friends, He especially cherished the time he spent watching his grandchildren grow into young adults. Robert was a member of the Lutheran church. His faith and his family were of paramount importance to him. Both brought him much joy, peace and comfort.

Robert was preceded in death by his parents, Margaret and Hugh Brown, aunts and uncles who were precious to him, his daughter Wendy King and his great grandson Charlie Dean Johnson.

Robert is survived by Laurice, his wife of 42 years, his children Paul Brown, Aimee Johnson, John Michael and Melanie Lucas, his sister Pat Brown, his grandchildren Shelby Brazil-King, Zach and Meghan Johnson, Michelle Wilson and Denecia Lucas

His great grandchildren June and Holly Brazil-King, Alice Johnson, Sylvie Wilson and Nevaeh Lucas and by his nieces Sherry Bradley and Tammy Pederson

As well as countless others whose lives he touched with his love, humor, kindness and generosity.

There will be a celebration of Robert's life at 2pm on June 20th, 2026 at Destiny Ministries International Church in Vancouver WA.

The family wishes to extend our sincere thanks to the care team at Legacy Salmon Creek Hospital and to the wonderful nurses and nursing assistants at Ray Hickey Hospice House.