Robert Brown

Bob Brown concluded a long and remarkable life on Wednesday, June 28, 2023, after suffering a stroke the day before.  His family and friends will gather to celebrate his life on Monday, July 3, at First Methodist Church Shreveport at 2:00 p.m., with a reception following in Bain Hall. 

From his earliest years with his late parents, Charles “Chick” and Katherine Brown, and his surviving brother James, who still lives near their hometown of Cochituate in Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts, Bob’s life was guided by a sense of Honor and Duty.  Bob first learned this as a Boy Scout, and it so imprinted on him he remained active and involved in scouting his entire life.  Over his 77-year membership he was recognized as a Distinguished Eagle Scout and a Silver Beaver for his leadership both locally and nationally.  Bob exemplified the Scout Oath throughout his life and adapted its first line as his epitaph – “On my Honor, I Did my Best.”

After graduating from Boston University, Bob was inducted as an officer in the United States Air Force in 1961.  In his 20-year career he attained the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and received numerous commendations including the Distinguished Flying Cross, Meritorious Service Medal and six Air Medals.  He and his young family sacrificed mightily, as he served 637 days away from home during the Vietnam conflict, flying over 100 combat missions from Guam and Thailand. Bob met and fell in love with his wife Kay, while attending flight school at James Connally AFB in Waco, Texas and they married June 9, 1962.  His time in the Air Force also blessed him with many friendships which endured throughout his life, and it brought him to the Shreveport-Bossier community where he deeply invested himself.  After retirement in 1981, Bob served as golf coach and Director of Scholarships at Centenary College and then for twelve years as Director of Public Relations at Commercial National Bank (now Regions Bank).

Bob had a passion for people.  In his every endeavor he sought to connect with people and build strong relationships.  Bob coupled that passion for people with his sense of duty and service to contribute to numerous local organizations.  He served on the Shreveport Opera board, Sci-Port Discovery Center board, First Methodist Church board, National Board of the Boy Scouts of America, and the Norwela Council of the Boy Scouts.  Bob was a past Chairman of the Independence Bowl in 1994 and served as Chairman of the Coordinating and Development Corporation.  Bob was elected and served 3 terms as Caddo Parrish Commissioner and was twice elected Commission President.  Most recently Bob and Kay have devoted their time to Common Ground in the Cedar Grove neighborhood.

Bob found in sports another forum in which to forge friendships.  He loved sports of all kinds.  He was a fixture at Shreveport Captains baseball games, Mudbugs hockey, Centenary basketball, even the short-lived Shreveport Pirates CFL seasons.  He could be found playing golf at Southern Trace Country Club or East Ridge Country Club several days a week and tallied several hole-in-ones over his golfing career and at one time was the Southern Trace Senior Club Champion.  Bob was a gifted golf coach; he had a remarkable ability to give a friend a simple pointer that straightened out a hook or fixed a fat shot. 

Bob and Kay were deeply involved with the Centenary College Choir, which sat at the nexus of their passion for friendships, their strong faith, their love of travel and their deep intellectual curiosity.  They traveled internationally with the Choir for many years, hosted Thanksgivings, attended choir retreats, gave selflessly to the Choir, and adopted numerous choir kids throughout the years.  Bob will be deeply honored to have many choir alumni present at his service offering their traditional blessing at the close of the service.

Bob was a devoted member of First Methodist Church; he and Kay could be dutifully found front-left every Sunday they were in town.  Bob was always happiest when his family joined him.  He took special pride and delight in his two sons, Dr. Gregory James Brown and Scott Douglas Brown, his daughter Elizabeth Ann Emery and his son-in law David Emery.  In addition to his wife of 61 years and his children, Bob was blessed to be survived by six grandchildren: Brooklyn Tanner (and husband Troy), Bronson Brown, Will and Grace Emery, Jessica Rizk (and husband Fadi) and Emily Butler.  Bob was also blessed to have two great grandchildren, Noah and Camille Rizk. 

Honorary pall bearers are George Beeson, Arnold Bookheim, Jr., Mike Kent, Bill Logan, Lou Martinelli, Larry Millican, John Slater, Gayle Wren, and Jack Zahm.  Memorial contributions may be made to First Methodist Church, 500 Common Street, Shreveport, LA 71101 or Common Ground Community, Inc., 4830 Line Ave #117, Shreveport, LA 71106.

“To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven.” Ecclesiastes 3:1.  Those that knew Bob knew him as a man for every season.  We have all been truly blessed by the seasons we had with him.  We will carry the warmth of his love through this Winter that has come all too soon.