Dr. Richard E. Brown

Dr. Richard E. "Dick" Brown, age 86, passed away peacefully with his wife by his side at Atlantic Specialty Care on April 17, 2024.

He was born October 27, 1937, to the late Elmo and Roena (Sayler) Brown in Clearfield, Iowa. Dick graduated from Bedford High School, Bedford, Iowa in 1956. After earning his Bachelor of Arts from Nebraska Christian College, a Master of Arts and Master of Divinity, both from Lincoln Christian Seminary, Dick went on to earn his Doctor of Ministry from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. Dick loved serving the local church, ministering to congregations in Orchard, Nebraska, Akron, Iowa, Fowler, Indiana, and Council Bluffs, Iowa, before serving as a professor, and eventually, the Academic Dean of Nebraska Christian College for more than 20 years. The pull to active ministry was too strong, however, and Dick served the final 20 years of his career preaching at First Christian Church, followed by Peace United Church of Christ, both in Norfolk, Nebraska. In retirement, Dick continued to enjoy serving the local church as a Sunday school teacher and small group leader, while returning to one of his great boyhood hobbies of building model airplanes. To the very last day of his life, Dick's constant prayer was, "Lord, may I continue to be of use to you in some way today."

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by step-father, L. Virgil Sexton and granddaughter, Macy Carter.

Dick is survived by his wife of 65 years, Marie Brown; children, Michelle Carter, Jim (Lori) Brown, and Amy (Brian) Smith; sister, Linda Sexton; grandchildren, Hannah Carter, Jacob Carter, Colin Brown, Grant Brown, Gabriel Smith, and Zane Smith; a host of other family and friends.

Funeral Service will be held at 2:00 PM at First Christian Church in Council Bluffs on Wednesday, April 24, 2024, visitation will be held an hour prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Marie and the family, care of Amy Smith, 1601 Bellevue Blvd. North, Bellevue, Nebraska 68005.