LELAND – Richard Keith Brown, 77, of Leland, passed away peacefully at his home on Friday, January 31, 2025, surrounded by his loving family.

Rick was born on December 3, 1947, in Sandusky, MI, to Keith and Reatha (Arnold) Brown. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Northern Michigan University.

Rick moved to Traverse City in the 1970’s where he met and married his wife Vickie in 1988. Rick lived a full life including a 40-year career as a mail carrier in Traverse City and many outdoor hobbies. Rick loved to be on the water fishing, whether near his home in Leland or on annual trips to Drummond Island and a variety of trout streams in Northern Michigan.

Come fall, Rick was an avid bird hunter. He trained and hunted with a pair of Brittany Spaniels, Belle and Mia, and was a crack shot, typically harvesting more than his fair share of grouse and woodcock while walking the forests of the Northern Lower Peninsula and the UP.

Rick always took his family along on adventures in the outdoors and they are eternally grateful for the lessons and memories from these experiences. Rick’s love of sailing and racing sailboats and his expertise at the sport was well known in the Grand Traverse Bay sailing community back in the 1980’s. Vickie met Rick on his first sailboat while crewing for him. Rick and his family had many wonderful sailing trips from the Manitou Islands to the North Channel on his Tartan “Elusive”. He loved golfing and played on a league with his post office buddies. He also raced dirt bikes and built a rowing shell.

Rick was so proud of his boys, Nick and Matt and loved them dearly. He was also the gentle, loving grandpa for his granddaughter, Scout. During his long battle with Alzheimer’s, his boys kept him going and always found a way to keep including Rick on adventures. Even through his illness, Rick was an eternal optimist and no one who knew him has ever heard him complain or utter a bad word about anyone. He always found the good in every situation and his laugh was contagious. He will be dearly missed.

Richard is survived by his beloved wife of 36 years, Vickie; his sons, Nicholas (Amanda) Brown and Matthew Brown; his brother, David (Teresa) Brown; his cherished granddaughter, Scout Brown; many loving nieces and nephews; and his dear friend, Joe Sloan.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Keith and Reatha Brown.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, February 15th at the Leland Community United Methodist Church. Pastor Tim Woycik will officiate.

Memorial contributions may be made to 5 Loaves, 2 Fish NMI, P.O. Box 602, Leland, MI 49654 and in honor of Rick’s love for animals, Cherryland Humane Society, 1750 Ahlberg Drive, Traverse City, MI 49686.

Please share memories and condolences with the family at www.martinson.info.

Arrangements are with the Martinson Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Leelanau.