Richard L. Brown, 85, of Branford passed away on Sunday, March 16 after a prolonged battle with heart disease and cancer. He is survived by his beloved wife of 62 years, Adele Porth Brown, as well as three children W. Richard Brown of Southington, Deborah B. Avanzato (wife of Joseph Avanzato) of Odessa, Fl., James H. Brown of Branford; three beautiful granddaughters Rhiannon, Rachel & Allison Brown; a niece Sally Sakshaug (wife of Ted Sakshaug); a nephew Lawrence D. Knox (husband of Rita Knox) and their respective families. He was preceded in death by his sister, Laura Jane Knox. Dick was born to John De Witt Brown and Elma Fetterolf Brown on September 21, 1928 in Delmar, N.Y. He received his Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering at Clarkson College of Technology in Potsdam, N.Y. Upon graduation he served as a Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Engineer Corps stationed in Frankfort, Germany. Following his tour in service, he went to work for the Olin Mathieson Corp as a research & design engineer. During that period he was in charge of the SPIW rifle project for the government. He rounded out his career as a Vice President at Colt Industries in Hartford where he was instrumental in the development of the M16 rifle for the military. Dick was a dedicated member of Tabor Lutheran Church in Branford. He served on the Church Council for twelve years as head of Worship & Music. He was also on the building committee for Tabor’s present location and was committee Procurement Chairman for purchasing their pipe organ. Both he and his wife sang in the church choir for over 35 years. They also sang in the New Haven Chorale for 15 years. He was a former member of the Exchange Club of Branford & the National Professional Engineer’s Society. Dick particularly enjoyed being outdoors. In his younger years that included hunting, skiing, camping and canoe trips in his favorite retreat up in the Adirondack State Park in N.Y. He was also an avid sailor and spent many hours with his family cruising Long Island Sound aboard his Seafarer sailboat. When he retired, they switched to a R.V. and had numerous adventures touring the good ole USA. In his later years, both he and Adele wintered in Cocoa Beach, Fl.

Friends are invited to a memorial service Saturday March 29 at 10:30AM at Tabor Lutheran Church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Memorial Fund of Tabor Lutheran Church, 25 Tabor Dr., Branford, or CT Hospice, 100 Double Beach Rd., Branford, CT 06405. For directions and online memorial see www.wsclancy.com.