Robert Peter Brown

Marine Veteran Robert Peter Brown died peacefully early Wednesday, March 21, 2018 at the age of 86. Born January 2, 1932 in Louisville, KY to Mary Lawrence Peter Brown and E. Lee Brown. He was a life-long Episcopalian. The first five years of his life were during the depths of the depression. He was formatively raised in his great grandmother Mary Chambers Johnson Wooldridge’s Louisville home as the only child among 18 adults. His education prior, during and post war years saw him changing schools 24 times, from CA to FL, including the Sarasota County School system and a year in OH. It was at Choate, as part of a four-man crew where he fell in love with rowing. He also enjoyed wrestling and Lacrosse, among other sports. His education continued at Princeton University, which he left to enlist in the Marine Corp. at the height of the Korean war. He finished his education at Union College, Schenectady, NY. His early summer jobs included cleaning out oil tanks, caddying at golf courses, working at Anderson Ford in Sarasota, and his favorite of all, as first mate on the Hell Cat with Cpt. Francis Roberts, where he grew to know and love the waters of Sarasota Bay and the Gulf. Rob started working in 1952 at the family owned Atlas Insurance Agency, in downtown Sarasota. As the only CPCU agent in Southwest, FL Rob put his hard work ethic to good use and later bought controlling interest of Atlas in the 1960s. Rob’s high-standards, and integrity contributed to the success of the agency over many years. He was most satisfied with Atlas’ growth and longevity, as one of the oldest privately held insurance agencies in the county. In 1987, Rob was one of the founding and organizing directors of West Coast Bank, which was acquired subsequently by Fifth Third Bank. Upon his retirement from Atlas at the age of 81, he commented that he was pleased to have been instrumental in establishing two companies that were community driven and supported so many. Rob helped his father with the organization and establishment of The Field Club. He enjoyed playing tennis on the original Field family’s courts, and the club served as his favorite spot to launch his flats boat. A life member of the Sarasota Gun Club, he was active in state pistol matches as well as skeet, trap and sporting clays. He was a strong proponent of gun safety, which he passed on to his children. Rob was instrumental in consolidating the Associated Field Trial Clubs of Florida, and making it a venue for families to learn and enjoy the sport of Field Trialing bird dogs from horseback. He enjoyed campaigning his dogs, but mostly loved watching the dogs do what was engrained in their DNA. The Brown family moved to old Myakka in 1972, allowing for a more suitable environment that included numerous dogs, horses, and livestock conducive to an outdoor lifestyle. For many years, Rob enjoyed his family shared home on Little Gasparilla Island, accessible to both bay and Gulf fishing. Rob leaves behind his wife of 64 years, Mary Elizabeth Scott Brown, son, Jonathan Scott Brown of Port St. Lucie, daughters, Mary Peter Brown and Elizabeth Lee Brown (Sam Arthur) of Sarasota and son, Robert Winchester Brown (Rosemary Eure) of Sarasota, along with six grandchildren, Laura Elizabeth Dykstra, Eelco Lee Dykstra, Matlin Chambers Brown, Elizabeth Alesandra Arthur, Robert Jacob Dykstra and Christian Hunter Brown. Rob also leaves a sister, Mary Chambers Moran (John) of Tickfaw, LA, having been predeceased by their brother, Todd Lee Brown, DVM. He leaves his niece Elizabeth O’Neill Brown, several nephews and numerous extended family. A celebration of life will be held at The Field Club, Sunday May 20th from 2 to 4 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to Tidewell Hospice, SPARCC, or the organization of your choice.

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Robert Peter Brown

January 2, 1932 - March 21, 2018