Richard Brown

Mr. Richard Barrett Brown, 66, of Fayetteville, NC, died May 12, 2012 at Christiana Care Hospital in Newark, DE, following complications from a severe stroke. He resided in Millsboro, DE. Mr. Brown was born May 8, 1946 in Fayetteville, NC, the son of the late Zelma Stewart Barrett Brown, a registered nurse who served in the Army Medical Corps during World War II, and the late Albert Brown, from New York, NY, a staff sergeant in the Army Air Force during World War II. After attending GW University in the 1960's, Mr. Brown worked as a commercial artist for several newspapers, department stores and advertising agencies before joining the US government as an illustrator. His career spanned 40 years as a graphic designer and a visual information specialist. He served as Director of Graphics and Exhibits for several government entities including the Department of Defense, Department of the Navy, the United States Coast Guard, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the Department of the Army at the Pentagon. Following the 9/11 terrorist attacks, he helped locate victims and colleagues in the Pentagon and helped coordinate the handling of remains. He was a member of the Sons of Confederate Veterans for a brief time and took part in Civil War reenactments as a Delaware Grey. He was a history buff, an avid car enthusiast and a walking encyclopedia when it came to military and social history. Mr. Brown was an accomplished painter and sculptor and has donated work to the US Coast Guard Lighthouse Museum. Mr. Brown is survived by his wife of 45 years, Gloria Maria Rosales; his son, James Stewart R. Brown and his wife Cheryl M. of Severn, MD; his daughter, Ellissandra Barrett Billings and her husband Kevin T. of Virginia Beach, VA; and three grandchildren, MegAnne, Lauren and Liam. Rich will be remembered as a shining light in the lives of the people he touched. He was a wonderful husband and a loving father and grandfather. His outgoing personality, charm and sense of humor will be greatly missed.

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