HOLTON- Robert Dale Brown was born on May 20, 1930, in Holton, Kansas.  He was the second son of Albert G. and Gladys I. (McKinsey) Brown.  He died peacefully on October 26, 2020, at the Holton Community Hospital as a result of a serious fall and ensuing complications, including pneumonia.

His Mother encouraged him from a young age to play the piano, tap dance, and sing.  Bobby Dale, as he was known as a child, performed regularly at country school and organizational meetings, at county fair contests, on the radio, and had an offer for the stage in Kansas City that his family turned down.  Bob attended Holton schools except for 6 ^th and 7 ^th grades when the family lived in Warrensburg, Missouri.  At the age of 14, Bob started playing the organ for the Holton First United Methodist Church.  With the support and influence of Stanley L. Talbot, his high school music teacher, Bob obtained a music education degree from Bethany College in Lindsborg.  During those 4 years, Bob was a recognized accompanist, the director of the Blue Dozen pep band, and participated in band, orchestra, the acapella choir, and the Messiah Chorus.  In addition, he was president of the Sigma Nu fraternity for 2 years.

After graduating in 1952, Bob entered the Army, serving 2 years at Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri and Camp McCoy in Minnesota during the Korean War.  After being honorably discharged as a Corporal in the engineers, Bob obtained a master's degree in Music Education from Kansas University in Lawrence.

His first job was for the Onaga, Kansas, public schools as a vocal and instrumental teacher.  Fortunately, his duties included directing the community summer band, where he met a cute baritone saxophone player named Marilyn Kay Zeller.  Bob and Marilyn were married May 31, 1957, renting a house in Onaga for a year before moving to Holton.

After 3 years working exclusively at Onaga, Bob's teaching job evolved into additional schools of Havensville and Soldier.  During this time, he and his mother opened a women's clothing store called The Brown Shop on the Holton square.  In 1962 he resigned from teaching to pursue a position with Investor's Diversified Services.  After several years, he returned to teaching at his alma mater, Holton, Kansas, instilling confidence and a love of music in hundreds of students' lives.

Bob and Marilyn have loved their house at 400 Iowa Street, raising their 3 children and caring for Bob's parents, who lived next door.  They loved theater, traveling, and entertaining friends.  This included the big after performance parties and the exclusive gourmet dinners served in their dining room.  They also were very active with the Jackson County Historical Society, helping to cook and serve many meals as fundraisers in the Roebke House Museum.

Bob celebrated 65 years of serving churches upon his retirement from the First United Methodist Church organist and choir director position.  This included his college years at the Baptist church in Lindsborg and, later, the Congregational Church in Onaga.

He was active in other ways, including President of the Holton Chamber of Commerce, Chairman of the Library Board, active member of the NEA and Rotary Club of Holton, and Honorary Member of the Saint Cecilia Music Club.  Some of his fondest memories were of joining forces with Father Ed Hays in producing summer shows for Fun City.  Then in 1976, Bob was commissioned to produce a show for the bicentennial.  This began a series of summer themed variety shows involving hundreds of community members of all ages.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, his brother and wife, Dr. Forrest and Alice Brown of Lawrence, Kansas, and his son-in-law Jeff Heryford.  He is survived by his wife of 63 years Marilyn Brown, and their three children; Lezlee Heryford of Berryton, Kansas, Bryce Brown of Kansas City, Missouri, and Lisa Zimmerman (Jay) of Liberty, Missouri.  He loved and encouraged his four grandchildren; Jayson Zimmerman, Lea Heryford (Cole Schneider), Samuel Heryford (Samantha), and Jacob Zimmerman (Mikayla Stevens).

We regret not being able to have a full service due to the pandemic.  A small family service will be held Friday at the First United Methodist Church. A celebration of Bob's life will be held next year. There will be a book available to sign and a picture video playing beginning Thursday at the Mercer Funeral Home in Holton.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Holton First United Methodist Church, Holton Community Hospital or Jackson County Historical & Genealogical Society c/o Mercer Funeral Home, P.O. Box 270, Holton, KS 66436.