Richard Brown

Richard Brown, 92, of Columbus, Ohio, passed away on Saturday November 22, 2025. He was born in Chillicothe, Ohio, on May 12, 1933, to the late Donald Brown and Mary Foster Watkins-Brown.

Richard graduated from Chillicothe High School in 1951; He earned a bachelor’s degree in social work from Anderson University in 1956. In addition to earning master’s degrees from The Ohio State University in Social Work and Public Administration. Richard’s career involved working with the Ohio Department of Youth Services as Chief Administrator and retiring with the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections. Richard proudly served in the United States Army 1956-1958, stationed in Bamburg, Germany.

Richard, an avid sports fan, enjoyed all types of sports and athletic events. He played on his high school basketball team. He received a tennis scholarship to attend Anderson University where he played basketball and tennis. Richard was inducted to the Anderson University Athletic Hall of Fame, Class of 2002. His record still holds for free throws made in a game (21), season (200 in 1954-55) and career (578) as well as free throws attempted in a career (740) from 1952-55. During his college career, Richard traveled throughout Asia with an overseas crusade spreading the gospel through a basketball evangelism ministry called "Venture for Victory.”

Richard loved playing golf, taking golf trips, watching golf and when he retired, he became a golf course volunteer. He also enjoyed cheering on The Ohio State Buckeyes, state high school basketball, and track teams. He liked to travel, he visited Paris France, the Caribbean and throughout the United States.

He is preceded in death by his parents and one infant brother, three sisters Mildred, Maxine and Bernadette, two brothers Don and William (Bill). He leaves to cherish his memory: his children Susan (Sanford)Watson of Cleveland, Ohio, Jay (Tonya) Brown of Delaware, Ohio; his grandchildren Ashleigh, Briana, Aliyah, Phillip and great-grandchildren Vanessa and Scarlett. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Viewing, Memorial Service and repast will take place at Diehl-Whitaker on Tuesday December 9, 2025, starting at 11:00am, service at 12: noon and repast to follow.

Richard will be laid to rest with honor at Dayton National Cemetery in Dayton, Ohio.

To leave a message of condolence please visit his Guest Book.