Robert Brown
Robert "Bob" Earle Brown, 88, passed into the presence of the Lord on January 15, 2017.
A devoted husband, warm and loving father, and lifelong teacher, Bob was born in Woodbury, NJ to Earle and Ellen Brown. He spent most of his youth in Elmont, NY and graduated from Sewanhaka High School, Floral Park, NY before joining the U.S. Navy. Bob served in the Navy at the end of World War II and during the Korean War. He married the love of his life, Shirley Mahr Brown, in December 1951. In 1956 he graduated with honors from Newark College of Engineering (currently NJIT) with a Bachelor of Science in electrical engineering. He went on to obtain a Master of Science degree from Stevens Institute of Technology in 1962.
Bob and Shirley lived in many places over the years, but it was in Mendham, NJ, where they raised their children. Robert retired to Signal Mountain, TN in 1988 after a 35-year career with the RCA Corporation in New Jersey. Upon retirement from RCA, he consulted in high technology and taught computer science at Covenant College.
The most significant aspect of his life was his devotion to the Lord and work in his church. Bob held many roles over the years including elder, adult Sunday School teacher, choir director, choir member and soloist at Wayside Presbyterian Church in Signal Mountain, and Mendham Hills Chapel in Mendham, NJ. where he and his family were founding members. Before that, Bob was a soloist and choir member at Long Hill Chapel in Chatham, NJ. His church work encompassed well over 60 years.
Bob was a person with many interests. He was an avid reader, gifted artist, a lover of music and was known for his beautiful tenor voice. He never stopped studying history, including church history and the Bible, and he never stopped teaching. He was a great mentor to his family and church. His church friends say Bob has forgotten more than some of us will ever know.
He is survived by his loving wife of 65 years, Shirley Eleanor Mahr Brown, his children, Margaret Ahstrom (Jay) of Connecticut, Lois Brown of New Jersey, and Robert Brown (Blakely) of Kentucky and five grandchildren, Emily Ahstrom, Sarah Ahstrom, Hannah Brown, Braeden Brown and Ainsley Brown. While the family will miss him greatly, they know steadfastly that he is with the Lord.
Interment will be at the Chattanooga National Cemetery, on Friday, April 21, at 11:30 a.m. with Pastor Brian Cosby officiating.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, April 22, at Wayside Presbyterian Church, 2505 Fairmount Pike, Signal Mountain. The service will begin at11 a.m. with Pastor Brian Cosby presiding.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Missions of Wayside Presbyterian Church or to the Signal Mountain Christian School.
Arrangements are by Chattanooga Funeral Home, North Chapel, Hixson.