Robert Stephen Brown, 92, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family at the Waters on Mayowood in Rochester, MN on December 15, 2018.

Robert was born September 4, 1926 to Clarence and Eva Brown in Rochester, MN. He attended local schools and graduated from Rochester High School in 1944. Shortly thereafter, he entered the Army Airforce and served for two years in the Pacific as a radio operator before being honorably discharged in 1946.

Upon his return, he continued his studies attending first Rochester Community College and then the University of Minnesota. He would also begin working for his father's Insurance business which had been established in 1917. It was at this point in time that he started dating Marie Schneider who would eventually become his wife in January of 1951.

Following their marriage, Robert would begin the initial and successive steps towards building a very successful business career. He eventually would become well known and respected in the Rochester Business Community and realize numerous accomplishments to that end.

Among his achievements were becoming President of the C.O. Brown Agency, President of the Minnesota Association of Independent Insurance Agents, Trustee St. Marys Hospital Board of Trustees, Board of Directors of the First National Bank, Trustee Rochester Area Foundation Board of Trustees and maintained a longstanding relationship with Rotary International. Upon his retirement, he was eventually able to see the business his father founded and he nurtured celebrate its centennial in 2017.

Following his retirement from business life in 1983, Robert was more freely able to pursue other areas of personal interest. He was an avid outdoorsman who thoroughly enjoyed bird hunting, fishing, golf, boating, scuba diving and downhill snow skiing. He and wife, Marie, eventually settled in Naples, Florida for the winter months and Robert would spend years fine tuning ocean navigation, sharing fishing outings with new found friends, and exploring south Florida with Marie and visiting family members.

As Robert transitioned from working to retired life, he also took great pride in the accomplishments of his children, enjoyed their visits along with those of his grandchildren and took a particular interest in the developing world of technology. Always being one to communicate by the written word, he enjoyed composing emails and sending and receiving pictures from family and friends.

Through his long life he retained his curious nature and was always interested in the world around him. Additionally, he was gifted with a healthy sense of humor and never failed to take the opportunity to share his unique perspective as it pertained to life's inevitable ups and downs.

His family has been left with so many wonderful memories of life with Robert. He was a giving man who loved his family and lived life to the fullest. His warm demeanor left his family feeling safe and secure and his dedicated work ethic resulted in his children feeling proud and wanting for little. By his example he showed us all how to be hard working, personable, fun loving individuals and that anything was possible in life.

Robert will be truly missed by those who were fortunate enough to have made his acquaintance. He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Marie; sons, Stephen (Diane) Brown, and Jeffrey (Barbara) Brown; daughters, Sarah B. Johnston, Susan (William) Herting, Frederica (Francisco) Escobar, and Brigitte (Mark) Lehman; sisters, Barbara (John) Austin, and Elizabeth (Donald) Brandt in addition to 17 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his father, C.O. Brown; his mother, Eva N. Brown; and his brother, Frederic N. Brown

A funeral Mass for Robert will take place at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, December 21st at Co-Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist in Rochester with Rev. Thomas Loomis officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be directed to the Mayo Clinic Poverello Foundation or a charity of the donor's choice.