Robert K. Brown

Washburn -  Robert Keith (Bob) Brown, passed away peacefully on December 30, 2019 following a recent massive heart attack.  Bob was born to Mildred (Maxwell) and Clarence Cecil Brown in Caribou on January 18, 1927, and spent his early years on Green Ridge in Caribou, a place that remained dear to his heart for almost 93 years.  He moved when he was a teenager with his parents to Washburn, where he graduated from Washburn High School in 1945. Bob was drafted soon after graduation into the United States Army, and served his country as a Platoon Staff Sargent in Italy as part of the 88th Infantry Division, a.k.a “Blue Devils.” He received an honorable discharge on December 25, 1946. Upon his return to Washburn he saw Mavis June Thibodeau through a Main Street office window, where she was working for the Washburn Light Company.  They were married on July 8, 1947.  Bob and Mavis had two children, Susan Brown Fuller, who resides with her husband Kermit in Waterville; and Keith Brown, who resides with his wife Sue in Washburn. Bob and Mavis were married for 30 years.  Following Mavis death, he married his second wife Marietta Ringdahl in 1978. They enjoyed life together for 18 years until her death in 1996.  Bob was a stepfather to Marcia Stohlberg, who resides with her husband Tim in Caribou; Cindy Peterson, who resides in Bozeman Montana; Ric Ringdahl, who resides with his wife Tammy in West Gardiner; and Carrie Sawyer, who resides with her husband George in Gray. In 2001 he married the current love of his life, Rhoda MacDougall.  The two of them enjoyed visiting with family and friends, working around their home, caring for Sophia “the 1939 Plymouth” and frequenting Tim Horton’s, until shortly before his passing.  Adding to his family were Rhoda’s children, Rhonda Chasse, who resides with her husband Tom in Presque Isle; and Dean MacDougall, who resides with his wife Sheila in Mapleton. All told, Bob’s extended family now includes 16 grandchildren and step-grandchildren, and 19 great-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren. In addition to his extended family Bob is survived by his sister Marilyn Whitten and her husband Dale of Washburn, brother Paul “Bud” Brown and his wife Linda of Crouseville, sister-in-law Donna Small of Caribou, brother-in-law Wendell Jacobson and his wife Sheila of Raymond.  He is pre-deceased by his parents, stepson, Rodney MacDougall and son-in-law Michael Peterson. Bob spent most of his working life traveling the roads as an automotive parts salesperson for Emery Waterhouse/ Rice and Miller.  After retirement from the road he owned and operated R.K.Brown Company.  He was a personable fellow who had many life-long friends around the country as well as in this county.  It seems that he never forgot a person whom he had met, in particular those he had met through work, square-dancing, the Lidstone Memorial United Methodist Church where he was a member, the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, the Anah Temple Shrine, and life in general.  It has been said that he could not go anywhere without meeting someone he knew or with whom he had a friend in common. His life changed following his mini-stroke this past September, but as a result he was befriended by many fine and highly skilled medical personnel through Professional Home Nursing and Cary Medical Center.  The loving care provided by these organizations is greatly appreciated by his family. Services will be held on Saturday January 4, at 2 p.m., at Lidstone Memorial United Methodist Church in Washburn, Pastor Ellen Cleaves officiating.  Visiting hours will be before the service from 12 – 2 p.m.  Donations in his memory can be made to Lidstone Memorial United Methodist Church.  Arrangements by the Mockler Funeral Home 24 Reservoir Street Caribou Maine 04736.