ROBERT JOSEPH BROWN
May 28, 1934 - September 25, 2021

Robert J. "RJ" Brown, 87, of Marquette, died peacefully on September 25, 2021 surrounded by his loving family, passing onward to join Judy, his beloved wife.

Bob was born on May 28, 1934 in Pittsburgh, PA to the late James and Victoria (Rzemieniewski) Brown.

Bob enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1954, retiring in 1974. His overseas assignments included Libya, Greenland and Thailand and his U.S. assignments included New York, California, Michigan, Colorado and Virginia. Bob was stationed twice at K.I. Sawyer A.F.B.; being one of the first Airmen assigned at K.I. Sawyer when it opened in 1956 and it was during this assignment that he met and married the former Judith Scholtus of Marquette.

Bob began his military career as an Air Police and later served as a Ground Safety Technician. His military awards included the Meritorious Service Medal, three USAF Commendation Medals and the Vietnam Campaign Medal. Upon his retirement, Bob and his family returned to Marquette, where he was employed at the Tilden and Empire Mines until his eventual retirement in 1995. Bob was a talented artist and published cartoons in the Steelworkers Local 4950 newspaper while at the Empire Mine.

Bob was a good man with a quirky sense of humor and was always a positive role model for his children, grandchildren, family and friends. Bob and Judy enjoyed traveling together. Their traveling included a return trip to Bangkok and then to Hong Kong, took several trips to Mexico and multiple extended trips to Europe, visiting Italy, Ireland, Switzerland and France during his visits to his daughter in Germany. He valued his time at the family cottage on Kawbawgen Lake, gardening, fishing, boating and his most important priority, spending time with his family. He had a life-long love for soccer, playing on his high school team in Pittsburgh and as a member of the USAF soccer team in Libya; his team competed throughout Europe, twice winning the USAF-Europe's African/Mediterranean Championships.

Robert is survived by his sons, Neal Brown and James Brown, of Marquette and David (Karen) Brown of Gurnee, IL; his daughter, Joy (Brown) Reddoor of Wiesbaden, Germany; daughter-in-law, Debra (Reno) Brown of Menominee, MI; and his grandchildren, Brigitte Brown of Vail, CO and Robert (Sonnet) Reddoor of Anchorage, AK. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Judy, in January of 2018 and his oldest son, Richard Brown, in December of 2019.

According to Bob's wishes, there will be no public services held.

The family would like to extend a special thanks to the staff of D.J. Jacobetti Home for Veteran's for the kind and compassionate care they provided to Bob and his family during his final weeks.

Canale-Tonella Funeral Home and Cremation Services is assisting the Brown family where memories of Bob may be shared at canalefuneral.com

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