Brown, Richard Douglas

CONRAD - Richard Douglas "Dick" Brown, 70, of Conrad, 
died of natural causes Friday at Peace Hospice.

His memorial service is 11 a.m. Thursday at Pondera 
Funeral Home, followed by a reception at the Conrad 
Moose Lodge. 

Dick was born June 19, 1939, in Billings, to Dan and 
Yvonna Brown. They homesteaded on the White Horse 
Bench south of Laurel. Dick and his sister, Kathy, spent 
many a day raising chickens and pigs, and picking 
chokecherries, and magpie eggs and legs. On hot summer 
days, you could find Dick and Kathy swimming with the 
snakes in the Yellowstone River.

Dick had a special relationship with his Grandpa Coombs, 
who was blind. He watched over him and was entrusted 
with the whereabouts of Grandpa's secret money stash in 
an old hollow tree.

Dick married Barbara Gerard in 1957 and the birth of their 
first son, Mike, followed shortly. Approximately two years 
later, their second son, Jeff, was born. Dick, Barb and their 
two boys moved to Chester. Dick was a parts man at an 
International Harvester ("IH") dealership, where he was 
later promoted to manager. Dick and Barb became very 
active in the Chester community through the Jaycees and 
other social activities. Soon after the birth of their third 
boy, Gary, an entrepreneurial opportunity became 
available in Conrad for ownership of an IH dealership at 
the ripe age for Dick of 24. Three years later, their fourth 
son, Brad, was born.

Through the ups and downs of the agricultural economy, 
family and business success was found, only to be 
hindered by a devastating fire of the IH and Chrysler 
dealership in 1972. Incredible support from loyal 
customers and local banks allowed Big Sky Equipment to 
be rebuilt at its current location north of Conrad.

During his busy life, Dick successfully accomplished many 
goals; his favorite was becoming an expert 
mountain/private pilot. Dick created many cherished 
friend and family flying memories# some of them more 
scary than fun!

Dick created many longstanding business and customer 
relationships that he cherished until the day he died.

Dick's four boys each have special memories of their dad 
and each acquired a special talent that was fostered by 
Dick to help create their individualism.

Survivors include his sister, Kathy (Ron) Keener; four sons, 
Mike (Leesa), Jeff, Gary (Angela), and Brad (Diane); former 
wives Barbara Brown and Joan Robbins; nine 
grandchildren and two great-grandchildren; and many 
extended family members. 

He was preceded in death by his parents; infant brother 
and his beloved labs, Porter and Dakota. 

Condolences may be posted online at 
www.gftribune.com/obituaries.

Published in Great Falls Tribune on March 23, 2010