Robert “Bob” James Brown

Robert "Bob" James Brown, 93, of Janesville, formerly of Cedar Falls, went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, April 24, 2024. He was born August 23, 1930, in Waterloo, the son of Lloyd and Helen Brown. He graduated from East Waterloo High School in 1948. He then graduated from Gates Business College in 1951 and attended Drake University.

Bob married Judith "Judy" Schmidt on June 10, 1962, and was married to her for fifty-five wonderful years. During that time, they raised three children, Christopher (Pam) Brown, Jennifer Klammer and Matthew (Denise) Brown. Bob was also very active in the lives of his four grandchildren, Heather (Zeb) Nicholson, Monica, Eric and Jovian Brown as well as two great grandchildren, Quentin and Alice Nicholson. One of Bob's favorite times with family was the annual trip to Sand Lake in Itasca County, Minnesota. Bob was extremely proud that each family member mentioned here at one point was part of that experience.

For anyone who knew Bob understood that the Holy Spirit gave him the gift of service, which is evident in where he chose to invest his time.

Bob served two terms in the United States Navy during the Korean War. His work resume was extensive, including Palace Clothiers, Equitable Life Assurance Society of the U.S., Baker & Brown Insurance Agency, Geist-Brown-Geist Insurance Agency for over thirty years (where he was a partner with Jack and Rod Geist), the Waterloo Chamber of Commerce, Norwest Bank and Hogan-Hanson CPA Firm. He concluded his career as his own boss detailing and washing cars for over eighteen years and mowing Jennifer's bumpy, stick-ridden acreage in rural Cedar Falls.

Bob attended Orchard Hill Church in Cedar Falls for over 25 years with prior membership at Westminster Presbyterian Church and Cedar Valley Community Church. Bob was always active within the churches he served, including teaching a class with Judy at Westminster called "Love is Reaching" for ten years, several terms as Elder and, along with Judy, as a counselor of married couples. Bob wound up his church service the last few years at Orchard Hill as a greeter; each week, any child who attended who be welcomed with a fist bump or "high five" from Bob.

Bob always had a love for the well-being of the Cedar Valley and was involved in civic organizations too numerous to mention! Some of the highlights that Bob mentioned often to his family included the Waterloo Chamber of Commerce and the Spokesman's Club where he was Treasurer for over fifty years. He was also Waterloo City Councilperson At-Large and Mayor Pro-Tem from 1988-1992.

One of Bob and Judy's passions was as organizers for the annual Christmas Day dinner through Westminster Church. The dinner is still an annual event; since its inception in 1981, thousands of people have been fed a delicious meal and had fellowship with others who attended.

In his later years, Bob also made regular visits to hospice patients in an attempt to bring joy to an otherwise difficult time.

He also won several community awards including the AMVET Signal Award for Outstanding Citizen (1974), Waterloo Citizen of the Year (1975), the Sertoma Club Service to Mankind Award (1992), the Metro Exchange Club Community Service Award (1996) and the "8 Over 80" Award in 2011.

Bob was preceded in death by Judy; their stillborn daughter Sarah; granddaughter Valerie and son-in-law, Kurt Klammer.

Funeral services for Bob will be 11:00 am, Wednesday, May 1, 2024, at Orchard Hill Church in Cedar Falls, with burial in Waterloo Memorial Cemetery. Military rites by American Legion Becker Chapman Post 138 and U.S. Navy Funeral Honors Detail.

Visitation will be 4:00-7:00 p.m., Tuesday, April 30, 2024, at Locke at Tower Park, 4140 Kimball Avenue in Waterloo.

Memorials may be directed to: The Robert J. and Judith E. Brown Charitable Trust, c/o Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa, 3117 Greenhill Circle, Cedar Falls (319-287-9106) or The Western Home Foundation, 420-11th Street, Cedar Falls.

Locke at Tower Park, 319-233-3146, is assisting the family.