Committal
Robert James Brown, 79, of Morganton, NC passed away on Sunday, March 12, 2023. He was born on June 4, 1943 in Chicago, IL to the late Mildred and Royal Nelson Brown. Bob, or “Brown Mountain Man,” as he was affectionately known, was a man of many talents. He graduated from the University of Michigan with a Master’s degree in Fishery/Biology. Bob was in the Peace Corps in Central America before settling in Morganton. He began his thirty-seven year career as a fisheries biologist with the NC Wildlife Resource Commission. He was also an active member of Trout Unlimited. Bob’s love of wildlife often found him traveling to hunt elk, to fish and enjoy nature. He also loved to attend Antique Car Shows and tinkering on his 1936 Ford Pickup truck.
Bob is survived by his sons, Scott Brown (Susan) and Evan Brown (Emily); three beautiful grandsons, Logan and Legrand Brown and Bynum Norris; special friend, Dr. Don Hemstreet.
A memorial service will held 2pm Saturday, March 25, 2023 at St. Mary’s / St. Stephen ‘s Episcopal Church with the Reverends Logan Lovelace and Scott Oxford officiating. The family will receive friends in the Parish Hall following the service.
2 Corinthians 5:8 “We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.”
Sossoman Funeral Home and Crematory Center is assisting the family with the arrangements.
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So sorry to hear. Bob lived down the street from us, as a kid. He was so cute, so interesting and a good friend.
The photo of Bob is how I remember him back in the 1980's when I started working with the WRC under Joe Mickey. Over several years we sometimes worked together on Lake James cove rotenones, stream electrofishing, and at meetings. Bob was always very generous to me with his time, knowledge, and experience. Yes, he was a legendary character. Passion-filled and even more eccentric than the rest of us fish heads. Yet these very characteristics have etched him into our collective memories. He will live on in the creeks, the woods, and our hearts. God rest your craggy soul, Bob Brown.
Scott and Evan, I have very fond memories of your dad. He was one of a kind, never to be duplicated. He was always adventurous, even in his late teens early twenty's. Even though Bob was six years my senior, he would always take the time to express interest in what I was up to, especially sports. I can remember hanging around your Uncle Tom and your dad while they worked on Bobs 1957 Ford hardtop convertible ( a real rarity), flatting beer caps to fill in rust spots along the rocker panels. Uncle Tom was just learning body mechanics, but your dad let him practice on his car. I can remember your mom and dad heading off to the Peace Corps in Nicaragua, where he set up fisheries for the government. Always remember the good time, because they are all that matter.
Our thoughts and prayers are with family and friends. May God Bless!
Scott and Evan I am so sorry for your loss. I haven’t seen your Dad in a while and when I learned of his passing it hit me hard. Bob was a great man. I have such fond memories of deer hunting on his property over the years. I once scared a deer when I flipped a gun sight that was out of place. Bob was visiting mom and dad and took the time to show me what to do the next time that happened. I still practice that maneuver to this day. Bob loved a lifestyle that many of us wish we could accomplish. My dad also had such fond memories of electro fishing walleye with Bob on Lake James and of helping him construct his cabin. Keeping you all in my prayers.
My thoughts and prayers are with all of you. Bob was a wonderful and special person. I’ll cherish my memories of working with him in TU and NCWRC matters. There was no better person.
My late husband , Jack and I enjoyed our visits with Bob when he visited his relatives in the Glencoe / Appin area on Ontario Canada. I am sorry to hear of his passing and my prayers our with his family at this difficult time. Liz Fletcher Toronto
I am sorry to hear about Bob's passing. I enjoyed working with him on several occasioons. He was always willing to help in any way he could. And he also was fun to be around whether it was a Wildlife meeting or work. He offered me tips on how to catch mountain trout because I was from the coast.