Richard Gene "Rich" Brown
Marriages
Tsu Wolin-Brown
Obituaries
Free E. page 9 - October 30, 2014
Richard Gene Brown lived in the Vail Valley for more than four decades. He passed away Oct. 22 in his Eagle-Vail home.
Born Aug. 27, 1947, Rich grew up in Wadena, Minnesota, in a close-knit family who he described as giving him a “perfect childhood.”
He graduated from Wadena High School and then from the University of Minnesota. In 1971, he moved to the Vail Valley, where he married Tsu Wolin-Brown and together they raised two boys, Eric and Harrison, who were his pride and joy. He was especially proud of their athletic accomplishments and stood on the soccer sidelines to loudly “coach.”
Rich was a general contractor for many years and was passionate about designing and remodeling homes. He was an avid tennis player and loved the Denver Broncos and the Minnesota Vikings. He also loved to host large gatherings for friends and family in his golf course backyard. Rich enjoyed being on the Vail Religious Foundation board.
“Rich was one of our longest-standing members, serving as our lay parish representative to the Vail Religious Foundation board of directors for several decades,” wrote Father Brooks Keith in a letter to The Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration congregation after Rich’s passing. “He helped oversee the remodel of the Vail Chapel and the construction of the Vail Ministry Center in 1999. Rich served as senior warden of Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration during a critical period for our congregation in the early 1990s. He was a faithful lay reader and Eucharistic chalice bearer, serving all manner of folk, from President and Mrs. Gerald R. Ford to all of us. Rich also was the parish’s rectory caretaker for many years.”
Rich is survived by the mother of his children; his sons Eric and Harrison Brown; sisters Sharon (Robert) Van Houten and Linda Lee Gasparrini; as well as numerous nieces, nephews and great nieces and great nephews. In lieu of flowers, donations in Richard’s name can be made to the Vail Religious Foundation, 20 Vail Road, Vail, CO 81657.
A memorial service is set for Nov. 5 at 1 p.m. at the Vail Interfaith Chapel, with an in-house reception following the service.
Vail Daily page A6 - October 26, 2014
Same as Free E.
