Bert Richard Brown

Dick was born in Portland, OR, the eldest child of Bert and Stella Brown. Younger brothers Robert and James joined the family as Bert Sr. worked in the logging industry. Dick attended Collins View grade school and, while living in that neighborhood. the family lost their father in a logging accident. It was just before Dick started Lincoln High School as a freshman, when Bert Sr. was crushed by a falling tree, while saving the camp cook. Following Bert Sr.’s death, Stella used office skills acquired working for the Navy during World War I, to support her family. Dick became the “man of the house,” and worked full time at Fred Meyer, while still attending high school. In 1942, before graduating, Dick joined the US Army Aircorps. As a pilot, he anticipated overseas duty. Instead, he went to Marfa, TX as a ground flight trainer, and spent the war dodging dust devils, taking pictures of lightning storms and teaching pilots to read navigation instruments. Dick was discharged in December, 1945. at Portland Air Base and walked home to his mother’s NE Portland house. He enrolled in Forestry at OSU and got a summer job as a forest fire lookout . But school was tough and priorities changed when, while on leave from fire watch duty and college, Dick went roller skating at Oaks Park and met his bride-to-be, Mary Katherine McNiece. Dick and Mary were wed on September 14, 1947 and their first child, Kathleen Anne, arrived in 1949. In the 1950s, Dick and Mary moved to Sellwood, their home base for more than 50 years. During these years, the family expanded with the birth of Daniel Lawrence in 1959 and Diane Louise in 1962. Dick always made family his first priority, but continued interests in photography, gardening and keeping tropical fish. He joined the 1960s Civil Defense Volunteer Fire Patrol, thrilling Dan with a ride in the fire engine. Dick became a convert to the Catholic Church and regularly participated in St. Vincent de Paul and Knights of Columbus. Dick and Mary were active in a church social group and enjoyed square dancing with the “Calico Capers.” As were growing up, Dick participated in activities with Dan and Diane, including volunteering with Boy Scout Troup 46. Dick had a great sense of humor, being an inveterate punster. Listening to music was another joy and he shared his love of Johnny Cash and other country favorites with his family. Dick and Mary enjoyed their early retirement years, but soon their health declined and the Spokane Street house, site of their wedding reception and family for 40 years, became too much for them. Wanting to keep roots in Sellwood, where Dick was born and Mary grew up, they moved to a nearby apartment. Mary’s health continued to decline and she passed in January, 2007. A short time later, Dick relocated to The Heights, at NE 82nd and Sandy, and became very involved in the social activities. Then Dick fell in love, one last time, and with great delight, on August 28, 2010, Dick married Anne Mazetier. These years were happy, but as infirmities grew, Dick moved to assisted living, and then after further decline, went in 2016 to adult foster care. Dick passed on Monday, August 29, and is survived by his wife, Anne Mezetier; his children, Kathleen Stokes, Dan Brown and Diane Swagerty; his grandchildren, Kimberly Gary, Theresa Brown, Andrew Brown, Nathan Swagerty and Josh McCleary; and great grandchildren, Adelaide Cooke, and Dylan and Avery McCleary. Funeral service will be held September 24, at St. Agatha Catholic Church. Rosary will be said at the church at 10:30 AM, with funeral at 11. Burial will be later, in a private service at Willamette National Cemetery. The family asks that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the St. Agatha chapter of the St. Vincent de Paul Society. Service Information