Robert "Robbie" James Brown

Robert “Robbie” Brown, of Manchester, Iowa, left this world on March 7, 2023, at age 52. Despite our many attempts to convert him to any other NFL team, he remained a Steelers fan to the end, and passed peacefully resting on his favorite Steelers pillow.  

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Harold McChesney, Donna and Finis Brandenburg, Lester and Emma Brown, and uncle, Jimmy McChesney. Robert is survived by his mother, Judy Haynes (Larry), his father, James Brown, siblings, Melinda Carr, Susan Beavers (Clarke), and Michael Brown (Anita), and nieces and nephews, Brandon Billmeyer (Velvette), Stephanie Novak (Justin), Cameron Brown, and Michaela Brown.   

In his youth, Robbie was a diligent Scout joining in 1981 and achieving the rank of Eagle Scout in 1988. Robbie attended the Philmont Scout Ranch in 1987, performing many of the high adventures that Scouts BSA has to offer while there. While Robbie may admit he never used his basketry merit badge past his eagle award, he used many of his skills from scouting to host and entertain the Manchester community. Some of these gatherings included Robbie cooking for and lending knowledge and support as a citizen of the community and state of Iowa. His accomplishments were further identified during his time at West Delaware High School, where he ran cross country, receiving the athletic achievement award in 1987. Robbie graduated as part of the class of 1990. 

As an adult, Robbie would admit that his choices were not always the best, and one which took the use of his legs, confining him to a wheelchair since 1998. Robbie chose to utilize those lessons in his presentations and volunteerism by counseling the Delaware County youth on how life can change in an instant. As a family, we are incredibly heartened by the response to his teachings and the letters he has received from the children he spoke with.  

Robert looked forward to the Delaware County Fair each year and loved to listen to live music and attend as many of the concerts as he could. It was such an important event, it would even prompt him to put on his good shoe and comb his hair.  

Few living beings were closer to Robbie than his dogs. As an avid hunter and angler, nothing brought more joy than spending time snuggling his pups and watching movies or kicking back with a videogame and some ear scratches. For the dogs, of course, but we all know he would not object himself.  

Robbie will be honored in a celebration of flight ceremony in the summer of 2023. Dates and times of the ceremony will be announced later.

In lieu of flowers, the family would prefer memorial gifts directed to: Judy Haynes, 104 Winslow Drive, Manchester, Iowa 52057.

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