Richard Sam Brown

Richard 'Sam' Brown April 3, 1931 - December 9, 2012

Richard "Sam" Brown, age 81, of Faribault, passed away on Sunday, December 9, 2012 at the Homestead Hospice House of Owatonna, following a brief illness. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, December 13, 2012 at 10:30 a.m. at the Church of St. Patrick, Shieldsville, MN. Interment will be at the Church of St. Patrick Cemetery, Shieldsville, with military honors provided by the Rice County Central Veterans Association. Visitation will be held at the Parker Kohl Funeral Home in Faribault on Wednesday from 4:00 - 8:00 p.m. and on Thursday for one hour prior to the services at the church. Richard John Brown, the son of Edward and Catherine (Mahoney) Brown, was born on April 3, 1931 in Erin Township, Rice County, MN. Rich graduated from Bethlehem Academy with the class of 1949. He served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean Conflict and was honorably discharged in 1954. Rich worked for over 30 years in the plastering business, mostly with Olympic Wall Systems. For a short time he owned and operated Fitzpatrick''s Supper Club in Shieldsville and then returned to the plastering business. In retirement he worked as a courtesy van driver for Harry Brown''s for 15 years. Rich enjoyed playing golf, going on walks, watching all sports, and card playing. He also was active at St. Patrick''s Church, volunteering his time with fundraising. He is survived by two children, Christy Brown and Paul (Amber) Brown, both of Faribault; four grandchildren, Zsanna Strauser (and fianc Daniel Hirsch), Carly (Ben) Bukkila, Dylan Gingras, and Sam Brown; four great grandchildren; brother, Harry (LaNaya) Brown of Faribault; sisters, Stella Brown of Palos Hills, IL, and Irene Miller of Faribault; sister-in-law, Belva Brown of Faribault; and many nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Patrick Brown; sisters, Helen Kaderlik and Dorothy Touchstone; and brothers, Ralph, Donald, and Cyril Brown. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Patrick Brown Memorial at Bethlehem Academy or the Faribault Area Hospice in memory of Rich.