Robert Edward Brown

BROWN, Robert Edward

It is with profound sadness that the family of Robert Edward Brown announce that in the early morning on Thursday, April 29, 2021 Robert passed away peacefully at home in Red Deer, Alberta surrounded by his wife, Ruby; stepdaughter, Elouise; and family dog, Missy by his side. Robert perished after a 4-year battle with lung cancer.

In this picture, while snow birding down south, Bob and Ruby spent an adventurous day at the Grand Canyon Skywalk.

Robert, or Bob or Bobby as he was known, was born on September 28, 1945 in New Westminster, BC.  After moving around many times as a child, Bob was taken in by his “Gran”, Irene Bailey, where he found love and stability for the first time. 

As a youth, Bob was an extremely competitive baseball player, even garnering attention from professional league scouts, before entering the Canadian Forces for a short time.

Bob Brown was a kindhearted life of the party who made friends in all his travels.  He was involved with the Kinsmen Club throughout the 80’s and was a life-long supporter of the Royal Canadian Legion.  Known throughout his life for his boisterous storytelling, cheek reddening jokes, and witty banter. Bob endeared himself to many and the laughter and his genuine friendship were his trade. The song "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot" will never be the same.  During this time, Bob and best friend, Jim McKinley, decided to build a drag car from the ground up out of Jim’s transmission shop in Kamloops, BC, only to find upon completion that he was too big to fit in the car.  While the Man-Mac dragster did not win many races, and he did not get to drive it competitively, it was the process of building it with Jim that meant the most to Bob. 

If you were lucky enough to be called a friend you would have shared many laughs, debates, and certainly a pint or three.  He loved to have fun, dancing, singing in his baritone voice or entertaining with colorful anecdotes and jokes, to which he would bask in the laughter, red-faced and chuckling.  But when it came down to work or family you did not mess with either, he loved hard and true and was very protective.  Common phrases he was known to say were: "give your head a shake", "Lord tundering Jesus" "get me another beer will ya".....

Bob’s first sports love was baseball, and he went on to play slow pitch and umpire. His resounding "Strikkkkkkeeeeee" could be heard in the whole ballpark. The added arm pump action brought with it left no question on the call.  Many of his friends will remember Bob for his formidable dart and pool playing.  He played hard tip, soft tip, singles, doubles and team darts on both sides of the border.  He played in several leagues, winning league titles, singles and doubles tournaments, and ranked high enough to challenge in any tournament and state finals.  A fierce competitor, Bob was always willing to take on the local hot shot who felt they were ready, only to find that they rarely were.

Bob was a hard-working life-long tradesman who proudly created Bob's Drywall in Surrey, BC, later was known as A.R.B. Drywall in Prince George, BC and Red Deer, Alberta.  His standards were high, only excellence was accepted, and his motto “Quality Above All” was a testament to his pride and dedication to his craft.  He started every morning with his early morning coffee, daily newspaper, capped off with an impressive run at the crossword, before starting his workday.  Never to be known for his workplace safety standards, it would not be unusual to find him precariously balanced atop a scaffold, standing on a pail, in running shoes, outstretched and humming a tune while going about his business.

Bob was a loving husband, father, uncle and grandfather.

He will remain forever in our hearts.

Robert is lovingly remembered by his spouse, Ruby Brown of 25 years; brother, Dale; half-brother, Gary; children, Tracey, James; stepchildren, Willie, Jackie, Elouise, and Sonya; grandchildren, Matthew, Alexandria, Paige, Logan, Haley; step-grandchildren, Rick, Connor, Neil, Darragh, Christine, Amber; step-great-grandchildren, Austin and Arlen. He was predeceased by mother & father; grandmother (Gran); and step son, Rick and Liam.

As per Robert’s wishes there will be no Funeral or Services. Cremation has taken place. A special thank you to all the caring staff at CBI Home Health Care, Red Deer and Alberta Health Services.

In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made in Robert's name to the Canadian Cancer Society 200, 325 Manning Road NE, Calgary, Alberta, T2E 2P5.