Richard McGlenard Brown Sr

He attended segregated public schools in Lynchburg, VA, and after professing faith in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, he was baptized at White Rock Hill Baptist Church. Richard, a Dunbar High School class of 1958 graduate and National Honor Society member, received a full scholarship to the University of San Francisco (“USF”), where he majored in Political Science and was inducted into Pi Sigma Alpha, the National Political Science Honor Society. Following his graduation from USF in 1962, Richard moved to Philadelphia, PA. He worked as a substitute teacher, earning money to attend Harvard Law School, where he met and married Irene Spencer in 1966. Upon receiving his Juris Doctor from Harvard in 1968, Richard began his career with Aetna Life and Casualty in Hartford, Connecticut, embarking on a distinguished career in law and community service. Richard served on the Hartford City Council, the Board of Directors for the Urban League, the City Council Charter Revision Committee, and worked on the New England division of the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Richard attended Union Baptist Church and served as the church’s youth fellowship leader. In 1975 he was inducted into the Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity, Alpha Psi Chapter. In 1982, Richard moved with his family to Minneapolis to serve as General Counsel for the former Northwestern National Life Insurance Company (ReliaStar/Voya). During his 43 years living in Minneapolis, Richard was an active member of the Omicron Chapter of Sigma Pi Phi fraternity, and a member of Pilgrim Baptist Church, where he continued to use his professional abilities in service to the community, providing guidance and mentorship to the next generation of leaders. He leaves to cherish his memories his devoted wife of 59 years, Irene, beloved son Richard McGlenard Brown, Jr. (Jessica) of Brooklyn, NY, and daughter Kia Brown-Dudley (Ellwood) of Danbury, CT; brothers James Brown of Lynchburg VA, and Forest Brown (Mary Jane), Philadelphia PA; One sister Evelyn Brown, Lynchburg VA; One sister in law, Jeanette Parker of West Orange NJ; One grandson, Lorenzo Richard Brown; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and cherished friends. Richard was preceded in death by siblings Susie Ruby Brown Randolph (sister), William Brown (brother), and Harry Brown (brother). In addition to spending time with his spouse and family, Richard enjoyed reading, running, writing poetry, politics, and watching the Minnesota Vikings and Timberwolves in his spare time. A private family viewing will be held. A public Celebration of Life will take place on January 17, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at Pilgrim Baptist Church in St. Paul, where friends and members of the community are welcome to gather and remember Richard.

Richard McGlenard Brown Sr

June 20, 1940 - December 13, 2025