CAMDEN — The Rev. Ralph Evan Brown, beloved father of Karen Clark and husband to Bertha Schmidt Brown, went home to be with the Lord March 1, 2015, at Windward Gardens. A celebration of his life was held March 6 at Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home in Rockland. The Rev. David English presided.

He was born Dec. 3, 1922, the son of Perley and Della Brown, and was raised in Ludlow, Vt. He was predeceased by his sister, Marion Greven; his brother, Irving Brown; and his beloved niece, Delores Snow. Surviving are his wife, Bertha Brown; his daughter and son-in-law, Karen and Phillip Clark; his granddaughters, Kristi Clark Alling, and Lisa Clark Kennedy and her husband, Theodore, “Ted” Kennedy; and his great-granddaughters, Cameron “Cami” Alling, Jasmine Kennedy and Acacia Kennedy.

He proudly joined the U.S. Air Force during high school, having obtained his pilot's license at the age of 16. "Flying was in his blood." He served as a radio operator/gunner. While sitting in a B52 bomber about to head to Japan, he received the order to turn around because the war had ended.

Following the war, while stationed at Westover Air Force Base, he met his future wife, a nurse in training in Holyoke, Mass. She was the love of his life. They recently celebrated their 68th wedding anniversary. They eventually settled in Keene, N.H., where he worked for many years in the broadcasting field and later with the Federal Aviation after additional schooling in Oklahoma City.

While working as chief engineer of WKNE radio, he found God while listening to the Old Fashioned Revival Hour that was being aired over the station that day. The Browns soon joined the Sturtevant Chapel in Keene, N.H. An active member, he became increasingly involved in church work, especially among young people, having co-directed the local Word of Life Bible Club; he also served as a deacon for many years. He felt the call to the ministry at age 48. Surrendering job security, the Browns sold their home to attend Bible College in Glen Cove, Maine. Ralph graduated in 1974 and was ordained to the ministry. He served as pastor of the Norway Baptist Church for more than nine years.

They returned home one last time to their beloved Keene, where they lived for a number of years before making the decision to move to Camden to be closer to their daughter and son-in-law. While in Keene, he was employed at Fletcher Funeral Home, where he assisted with services.

He was a man of quiet dignity and integrity, and a great Dad. As his health declined his faith remained steadfast. We are eternally grateful to his caregivers at Windward Gardens, especially those of you who went above and beyond to give him the care and respect that he deserved in his final days. You know who you are. Our heartfelt thanks also go to the wonderful people of West Rockport Baptist Church, where he attended.

Interment will be held in the spring at Mt. View Cemetery in Camden.

Arrangements are in the care of Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home.