Memorial
Robert Lee Brown, 87, of Cedar Rapids, passed away Saturday, October 4, 2014 at the Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy, Hiawatha.
A funeral mass celebrating Bob’s life will be held at 11:00 am Wednesday, October 8, 2014 at St. Jude’s Catholic Church, Cedar Rapids with the Rev. Mark Reasoner officiating. Burial with military rites will be in St. Joseph’s Cemetery, rural Cedar Rapids. Visitation will be from 4-7 pm Tuesday at the Cedar Memorial Westside Chapel and from 10:30-11:00 am at the church on Wednesday.
Survivors include his daughters, Debra (Gary) Lapsey of Cedar Rapids, Karen (Steve) West of St. John, IN and Sandra (Dean) Miller of Anamosa; grandchildren, Carolyn Lapsey, Zachary and Sarah West, Joshua (Krishna) Miller and Kylie Miller; five great grandchildren, Lillian, Jazliene, Braedyn, Ellie and Carson; brother, Dan (Nancy) Brown of Sullivan, IN; sister, Jane Padgett of Worthington, IN; brother-in-law, Don (Teresa) Long of Guemes Island, WA; also surviving are many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Lorraine, siblings, John Brown and Maxine Tatum, children Michael and Timothy and grandchildren, Amanda and David West.
Robert Lee Brown was born June 7, 1927 in Sullivan, IN the son of Carl and Carolyn (Mechler) Brown. He lived in Iowa City during his formative years where he graduated from St. Patrick’s High School. Bob was a veteran of the of the U.S. Army serving during the Korean War. On May 16, 1953 he married Eva Lorraine Long at St. Ludmila’s Catholic Church in Cedar Rapids. He was happily married and devoted to Lorraine for 54 years until her passing in 2007. After returning from the military, Bob worked at Collins Radio. He then was employed by FMC Corp. for 30 years until their closing. Prior to finally retiring in 1988, Bob worked at Iowa National Mutual. He was an avid Iowa Hawkeye and Chicago Cubs fan, longtime member of St. Jude’s Catholic Church and lifetime member of the American Legion Hanford Post #5. Bob loved watching his grandchildren at sporting and school events and will be remembered for his outgoing personality, ability to talk to anyone, sense of humor and love of family. He will be greatly missed by all who loved and knew him.
Bob has resided at Ridgeview Assisted living the last year where he was supported by the Ridgeview staff and until recently the Mercy Hospice House staff.
Memorials may be given in his name to Hospice of Mercy, 315 18th Ave, Hiawatha, IA 52233.