Richard passed away suddenly at the age of 72 and ‘RK’ or ‘Dick’ as he was know to many will be greatly missed by family and friends.
He was born and grew up in Armstrong, BC. but took grade 12 in Kitimat, BC. After graduation he worked in sawmills, then was employed by Revelstoke and Glacier National Parks on a trail crew, as Assistant Warden and Assistant Storeman. In the parks an accident caused by inexperienced fallers affected his health the rest of his life and it was also there he met his wife Helen (Tegart) who worked in the Parks office.
They were married on June 30th, 1962. He worked as a butcher in Revelstoke, then housebuilding with his father.
Later he became a teacher and taught in Williams Lake for 8 years at Columneetza Secondary School, took a year off to work at a taxidermist shop and house build, then taught 20 years in Burns Lake at Lakes District Secondary School. Among his treasures was a framed letter from ex-student Rick Hanson. His favourite courses to teach were drafting, forestry, woodworking and the new computerized AutoCad program. Richard loved to play his guitar, downhill ski, cross-country ski, play volleyball and basketball, snowshoe, ride his horse, go on fishing trips, canoe, golf, bowhunt and rockhound. In his last years he ‘hunted’ with a camera taking hundreds of animal and bird photos and was thrilled to win with one on Global TV, have several pictures in the local paper and publications, receive two trophies from a photography group and have a special rock featured in the BC Lapidary calendar. He loved music and was a member of the local Community Choir for many years, sang with a small group of friends and taught himself to play guitar. He obtained his pilot’s license and flew small planes out of a Vanderhoof club until health reasons prevented it. Richard and his wife Helen made trips with their travel trailer to the Yukon, Alberta, Saskatchewan and many areas of BC. When the family home was lost to fire he built a new one with his family as ‘crew’. Last year Richard and Helen celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary.
Richard is survived by: his wife Helen, daughter Shannon Brown and sons Keith Brown (Tracey), Wayne Brown (Liz West), and Chris Brown. Brothers: William Brown (Denise), Larry Brown, and Dennis Brown (Ivy). Granddaughter Jenna Brown. Grandsons: Curtis Brown, Spencer Brown and Jackson West. Nieces: Patty Brown (Terry), Debbie Evans (Greg), and Cathy Henley. Cousins: Edith Barkley (Freddie), Norman Morrison (Carol), Dorothy Brown (Rod). Nephews: Cliff Harrison, Lorne Harrison, Chuck Henley, Ken Henley (Kathy), Dwayne Henley (Trudy), and their children and grandchildren, sister-in-law Marlene Matsen, her son Mark and daughter Brenda (Glenn) and Marlene’s grandchildren.
Predeceased by: his father Charles Henry (Harry) Brown and his mother Jessie Catherine Brown, his sisters Janet Henley (Frank) and Doris Harrison (Dave), his nephew Gary Henley, foster son Max and sister-in-law Carol Brown.
People who wish to donate to a charity in memory of Richard could donate to a charity of their choice, The Rick Hanson Research Fund or to the local Terry Fox Run.