Dr. Richard Lee Brown, 69 June 25, 1955 - August 1, 2024 GRAND ISLAND — Dr. Richard Lee Brown, 69, of Grand Island, Nebraska, died August 1, 2024, surrounded by loved ones.
Richard “Dick” Brown was born on June 25, 1955, in Alliance, Nebraska, the third son of Neil Duane Brown and Arlene Marie (O’Connell) Brown. He graduated from Alliance High School in 1973. He then attended Chadron State College and graduated in 1977 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry and Biology.
He was chosen as the Distinguished Young Alumnus for CSC in 1988. Richard earned his Doctorate of Optometry in 1984 from Indiana University. Richard was united in marriage to the love of his life, Gwenlyn Kay West, on September 13, 1975, at Grace Lutheran Church in Gordon, Nebraska.
The couple made their home in Chadron where Dick taught at Chadron High School (1977-1980). In 1980, they moved to Bloomington, Indiana, where Richard attended the College of Optometry and served as National President of the Student Optometric Association, the first Nebraskan to serve in this role. After graduation and the birth of his son, Neil Weston Brown, his little family settled in Grand Island, where Dr.
Richard Brown purchased the optometric practice of Dr. K.J.
Walker. He operated a solo practice for five years. He added a daughter, Rebecca Jan, to his family unit, and then merged his practice with Dr.
Gary Pedersen and Dr. William Grange to form Eye Care Professionals and Grand Island Optical. He also ran .