Richard Michael Brown, Jr., 52, residing in South Bend, passed away at 11:47 am Tuesday, October 26, 2021, at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center, Mishawaka. He was born November 17, 1968, in Methodist Hospital, Gary, IN to Richard M. and Joan (Kadelak) Brown, Sr.

In addition to his parents, Richard is survived by daughters, Kathleen Marie Brown and Riley Ann Brown, along with their mother, Tanya Mapes; a grandson, Alex Lee Bowman; and a sister, Susie (Rob) Dhoore; as well as a niece, Abbie Dhoore. He was preceded in death by a nephew, Matthew Dhoore.

Richard was baptized in the St. Nicholas Orthodox Church in Gary on December 19, 1968. He moved with his family to Cincinnati, OH, where Richard grew up until June 1983, when the family moved to South Bend. In his youth, Richard was a Weblo Scout, played youth hockey for eight years and volunteered at the Cincinnati Zoo. He played football at Lasalle High School in South Bend, from which he graduated in 1987. Richard attended Purdue University in the pre-veterinarian program and earned his associate degree from Ivy Tech in information technology. Richard had a deep love for all animals, enjoyed motorcycles and also volunteered for the Coast Guard Auxiliary. He was a conductor and engineer for Norfolk Southern Railroad before completing truck driver’s school. Richard was a survivor of cancer for many years. He was employed as a tanker truck driver for Yoder Oil Company before his final cancer diagnosis.

The Requiem Divine Liturgy will be celebrated at 10:00 am Tuesday, November 2, 2021, in the St. Michael Ukrainian Catholic Church, 712 E. Lawrence Street, Mishawaka. Graveside services and burial will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery, South Bend. Friends may visit with the family from 4:00 – 7:00 pm Monday, November 1, 2021, in the Palmer Funeral Home – Hickey Chapel, 17131 Cleveland Road, South Bend, where a Panakhyda Service will be held at 7:00 pm.

Expressions of sympathy in memory of Richard may be donated to the Potawatomi Zoo, 500 S. Greenlawn Avenue, South Bend, IN 46615.

10/28/2021 JFC