Richard DeWayne “Dick” Brown Sr., 89, passed away Sunday, November 4, 2018. Born in Fort Wayne, Indiana. on January 14, 1929, Dick was the son of the late Gilbert and Hermione (Hile) Brown. Dick graduated from Central High School in the class of 1947. He earned his Masters Degree in Music from the Jordan School of Music at Butler University. Dick was the first band director at Bishop Dwenger High School and later was the chairman of music at Saint Francis College. Later still, he was the director of instrumental music for the Catholic elementary schools, retiring in 1992. Dick also had an eclectic career as a professional musician. At the age of 15, he assembled a jazz band that played school dances and had a Saturday morning show on radio station WOWO. For many years he was the go-to lead alto saxman around Fort Wayne. He also booked his own jazz combo. While teaching at Saint Francis he founded the Saint Francis Jazz Ensemble which later became The Knights On the Town Jazz Band. He was still busy directing the band as recently as two weeks ago. Dick also organized a series of Foellinger Theater concerts featuring The Brown Family & Friends in conjunction with The Alley Kats dance troupe. Mayor Tom Henry proclaimed Sunday, September 13, 2015, to be Dick Brown Day in Fort Wayne, in recognition of his many years as a professional musician and music teacher. Surviving are his wife of 67 years, Katherine “Suz” (Rehnen) Brown; children, Richard “Rick” (Kay) Brown Jr., Mandy (Terry) O’Connor, Mary Angela “Angel” (Rick) Menestrina, Amy (Shawn) Gerhardstein; grandchildren, Matt (Dawn) O’Connor, Becky (Brad) Hall, Tony Menestrina, Alex (Tristan) Menestina, Aaron (Kristin) Gerhardstein, Zach Gerhardstein, Chris Pearson, Holly (Justin) Kuhn; 10 great-grandchildren with one on the way; brothers, Don Brown, Jim Brown, and Ted (Pam) Brown. Dick was preceded in death by his parents, brother Tom (Socrates) Brown, and sister-in-law, Jean Brown. Mass of Christian Burial is 10:00 am, Thursday, November, 8, 2018 at Most Precious Blood Catholic Church with calling one hour prior, Fr. Joseph Gaughan officiating. Calling will be at FairHaven Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 6557 N. Clinton Street, on Wednesday, November 7, 2018 from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm and 6:00 pm 8:00 pm with a rosary at 6:30 pm. Entombment in Catholic Cemetery, Fort Wayne, Indiana. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Knights on the Town Jazz Band, in care of Amy Gerhardstein. The family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to the staff at Park Place Assisted Living, Greystone Rehab and Dupont Hospital for their gentle and patient care of Dick. Finally, the family wishes everyone to know that, though they miss him dearly, they take heart in knowing that Dick is surely at a car dealership in heaven picking out his next Buick.

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