Richard David Brown
DOVER - Richard David Brown passed away on Tuesday, May 31, 2022, at Bay Health, Kent General. He was born December 11, 1946, in Dover, the son of Thomas B. and Margaret Lavinia Brown. After Dover High School, he enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard.
Dickie, as his family and friends called him, married Mary Grampp in November 1968. After he was discharged from the Coast Guard, he went to work for the State of Delaware retiring in 1995. While working full-time, Richard earned a degree in Architectural Engineering from DelTech. He also attended the first EMT program at DelTech and became a Nationally Registered EMT. He worked part-time for several ambulance companies, as well as the Infield Care Center during the NASCAR races at Dover Downs for more than twenty years. Dickie also was a CPR Instructor and started Save A Life Training, training people in CPR and First Aid for forty years.
Dickie and Mary welcomed their daughter Meredith Christina and became active in school and 4-H events. He was a 4-H leader for the Dover Clovers 4-H Club and in 1992 took over the state Compact Tractor driving contest at the State Fair, an event he continued for 25 years. He also began volunteering with the Poultry Department at the Fair, as well as judging in the 4-H department. He was inducted into the Delaware 4-H Hall of Fame in 2018.
In addition to his wife Mary and daughter, Meredith Abbate, he is survived by his beloved granddaughter, Elizabeth (Lizzie) Abbate; four brothers; three sisters; a stepbrother; and a stepsister. He is also survived by a host of nieces and nephews, several Godchildren; and his best friend, John Thornburg.
Services will be Saturday, June 11, 2022 at 11 a.m. at Peace Lutheran Church, 5048 Wheatleys Pond Road, Smyrna, Delaware. Friends may call one hour early.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Peace Lutheran Church or the Delaware 4-H Foundation.
Letters of condolence may be sent, and guestbook signed at www.torbertfuneral.com