On August 17, 2019 Richard Robert Brown was tragically and unexpectedly called home to God. Richard was born on July 6, 1997 in Poplar, Montana to his mother Cheryl Sutherland and father Robert Brown, Jr. He was named after his maternal and paternal grandfathers. One of his uncles gave him his beloved nickname known by his family and close friends, Dicky Bob.
Richard grew up very close to his family. He grew up in Poplar and Box Elder Montana. When he was younger he came back to Poplar saying “I’m home”. Being in Box Elder he made life long friends. The Belcourt family adopted him as their son and brother. He thought the world of his friends and family on the RockyBoy Reservation but followed his heart back to Poplar.
In high school Richard played basketball, and joined cross country. His favorite classes were music (guitar was his instrument of choice) but shop was where he loved to learn. He met and fell in love with his best friend Maria. In their love they had their son Benjamin. They say there is no love greater than a father for his son. Dicky Bob graduated Poplar High School in 2015.
He worked part time at TJ’s Quick Stop before being employed at Fort Peck Tribes as a correctional officer at the Youth Service Center. He was later moved to the Adult Corrections where he was employed until his passing. In the fall of 2018 he went to the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center for the Indian Country Correctional Officer Training Program class number 1901/123 in Artesia, New Mexico. He had one week left of training when an unfortunate family event called him back home.
He was very passionate and dedicated to his career. Amongst his many titles of Correctional Officer, father and friend he was an avid gamer. He started his love of games as a child, often fighting his younger brother for it. He loved playing online where his friends and family would be as well.
Dicky Bob loved to be around his siblings, especially his nephews and nieces. He is referred to as “the favorite uncle” to all of them. If he wasn’t enjoying a powwow with his sisters he would be head banging at a concert with his brothers.
As a toddler he was baptized at the Riverside Presbyterian Church. As a child he went to church in RockyBoy, Assembly of God.
Richard will be remembered for his kindness, compassion, humor and gentle soul.
Dicky Bob is survived by his only son, mother, siblings Terrell (Heather) Sutherland, Seneca Sutherland, Cale (Klarissa) Martell, Sr., Brandon Martell, Britney (Joseph) Cloud, Robert (Kaeley) Brown III, Marlene (Kilija) Youpee, Dillon Brown, Zachary (Racine) Brown, Tia Grey Bear, Zane and Tionna Brown. He had many adopted siblings throughout his life, too numerous to mention at this time. But he loved you all. His in laws Sheldon (Ilenda) Youpee; his grandparents Juanita (Doug) Youngman, Louise (Leonard) Youngman, Gloria Chopper, Pearl Hopkins, Henry “PeJohn” Sutherland, Leon “Blackie” Sutherland, Velma Nepstad, Naomi Montclair, Sharon Sandoval, Frances Silk, Debi Unno, Bette Manning, Pepper Young, Richard (Eliza) Young; aunts and uncles Connie (Bryan), Sandy, Dean, Delton, Robin, Dorsey, RJ; cousins Chucky (Celistine), Travis (Carrie), Chaz (Jessica), Chelsea, Dustynn, Jesse, Tommy, Nathan, Richard, Noah, Renae, Duran, Avery, Billy, Collin; nephews and nieces Janaeya, Tyson, Shanel, Oakley, Paxton, Tenneal, Tim, Jacob, Isaiah, Cale, Jr., Valencia, Logan, Vincent, Joedaus, Kilija, Jr., Ashton, Cameron, Katie, Damien, Iceland and many more too numerous to mention. He loved you all.
He is preceded in death by his father, grandparents Richard Sutherland, Sr., Robert Brown, Sr.; aunt Leona Brown; cousins Larissa Youngman, Zachary Sutherland and nephew Andre Good Soldier. He has many more relatives too numerous to mention who greeted him on the other side.
Chris Dunphy says
My deepest condolences to the family. I worked With Richard as a Correctional officer . He was so kind and it was àn honor to know and work with Richard.
Chris says
I’m sorry to read about Richard’s passing. May God grant you all a measure of peace at this difficult time. Philippians 4:6,7
Blue Belcourt says
Richard stayed with us in Rocky Boy for a summer while he was in high school We loved him as one of our own…my kids called him their brother…we just s had him at the house during the Rocky Boy Pow wow I love you Richard Please look out for us up above
Teresa lafromboise says
Condolences going out to the family…rest in paradise dickybob. You will be missed!
Pr. Christine Holler-Dinsmore says
Deepest Sympathy to all the family and friends of Richard. I minister with the people at the Adult Correctional Facility. Richard was a kind and dedicated Correctional Officer. He was well liked among those behind the bars for his respect for them and his sense of humor. At the memorial services for Richard for those incarcerated there were many fond memories and tears shed in his memory. His fellow officers and the staff also deeply feel his death. May you be comforted by the care and love of the friends and family and by the assurance of his new life in the loving presence of the Creator. Pr. Chris
Shiloh Muskrat says
I am sad inside, I am Shiloh Muskrat. I lived across from him when we were lil boys, we played almost everyday. I will see you on the other side when it’s my time Kola – Friend