Dr. Richard Brown

Dr. Richard Lee Brown, 69, of Grand Island, NE, died on August 1, 2024 surrounded by loved ones.

Richard “Dick” Brown was born on June 25, 1955, in Alliance, NE, the third son of Neil Duane Brown and Arlene Marie (O’Connell) Brown. He graduated from Alliance High School in 1973. He then attended Chadron State College and graduated in 1977 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry and Biology. He was chosen as the Distinguished Young Alumnus for CSC in 1988. Richard earned his Doctorate of Optometry in 1984 from Indiana University.

Richard was united in marriage to the love of his life, Gwenlyn Kay West, on September 13, 1975 at Grace Lutheran Church in Gordon, NE. The couple made their home in Chadron where Dick taught at Chadron High School (1977-1980). In 1980, they moved to Bloomington, IN, where Richard attended the College of Optometry and served as National President of the Student Optometric Association, the first Nebraskan to serve in this role. After graduation and the birth of his son, Neil Weston Brown, his little family settled in Grand Island, NE, where Dr. Richard Brown purchased the optometric practice of Dr. K.J. Walker. He operated a solo practice for 5 years. He added a daughter, Rebecca Jan, to his family unit, and then merged with Dr. Gary Pedersen and Dr. William Grange to form Eye Care Professionals and Grand Island Optical. He also ran satellite offices in Loup City and Ravenna. Dr. Brown practiced optometry in the Grand Island area for 29 years before a debilitating illness forced him to retire in 2013. From his cheery whistle to his sincere love of people, he was greatly missed by his patients and colleagues. 

Dick was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church and served on the church council for three years. He was a member of the Nebraska Optometric Association; he served as president of Sertoma in 1994-95; and he was a member of the Hall County Livestock Association. Dick was a charter member of the BBOSV corporation, dedicated to the enjoyment of life. Members met annually at Fonner Park Racing. He took pleasure in golfing at Riverside, hunting in the Broken Bow One-Box Pheasant Hunt and traveling with friends and family.

Dick’s greatest joy were his children and grandchildren. He loved life and left a legacy of optimism and kindness. Those left to cherish his memory are his wife, son and daughter-in-law, Heidi (Beardslee) Brown of Lincoln, NE; daughter and son-in-law, Matthew Clark of Fort Collins, CO; and five beautiful grand children: Wyatt, Rhett, and Ella Brown, Hazel and Maxwell Clark. Also mourning his loss are sisters-in-law: Karen Brown of Alliance and Cheri Brown of Omaha; Brothers-in-law: Doy West of Gordon, Kelly and Fayanne (West) Jensen of Gordon, and Paul West of Lincoln; along with many nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents; two older brothers: Robert and Donald Brown; and grandparents: Lee William and Blanche (Hoagland) Brown, Helen (Voight) McMasters, and Daniel O’Connell. 

A visitation will be held at Apfel Funeral Home on Wednesday, August 7th from 5 to 7 pm. Memorial services will be at 10:30 AM, Thursday, August 8th, at St. Pauls Lutheran Church in Grand Island with Pastor Jeff Pedersen officiating. A burial of ashes will be in the Grand Island City Cemetery. Memorial donations may be sent to The Richard and Gwenlyn Brown Scholarship Endowment at Chadron State College which Dick established for Grand Island area students.