Robert N. Brown, M.D.

Robert N. Brown, M.D.

July 29, 1944 – October 15, 2022

Dr. Robert N. Brown, 78, passed away Saturday evening, October 15, 2022, quickly and peacefully with his family members by his side after a courageous two-year battle against prostate cancer.
Dr. Brown was what you would call an old-fashioned family physician. He loved his patients fiercely. If a patient had an emergency in the middle of the night, he would offer to meet them at his private practice or their home. While being an amazing husband, father, and mentor, he would still make rounds, see patients and deliver babies. Over 2,500 babies over the course of his career.
It was not uncommon to be out to a special birthday dinner and get paged, all to leave and deliver a baby but still be able to come back and enjoy dessert with his family.
He most recently told someone that his specialty had changed and that he had become a geriatric doctor since his loyal patients have followed him for over 50 years of practicing private medicine.
Bob was born and raised in South Central Iowa. He grew up working hard, helping his parents on his family farm. They raised livestock and grew and harvested crops, all while going to school. After attending a one-room school house thru junior high, Bob went to high school in Chariton, Iowa, graduating in 1963.
He and his wife, Sandy, were high school sweethearts and married very young in 1963. They lived in Des Moines while he attended Drake University, majoring in pharmacy. After graduation from Drake, Bob and Sandy moved to Omaha. He worked as a pharmacist while attending Creighton University Medical School. He graduated in 1971 and became Robert N. Brown, M.D.
Bob never wanted to join a big hospital. He made his life goal a reality when he opened up his first private practice. Throughout his career, he built three office buildings, moving several times around the city to adjust to his growing practice. He had one of the first major private practices with a surgical center and a birthing suite. Dr. Brown could do it all, and he was one of the best at it; just ask his most loved patients and his family. His loyal patients followed him until the day before his death.
Bob and Sandy just recently celebrated their 59th wedding anniversary. They have three daughters and four granddaughters. If you knew Dr. Brown well enough, you know that he made many jokes about surviving being the only male in his household. When not working, which was rare, he enjoyed his family, relaxing at home, and keeping current on all news, politics, and sports.
Dr. Brown is survived by his wife, Sandy; daughters: Tracey Johnson (Scott), Suzanne Brown, and Kristina Vakoc (Ken); granddaughters: Paige Johnson, Cheyenne Hanson, Finley Vakoc, and Harper Vakoc; brother, Don Brown (Carol); many nieces and nephews, relatives and friends. Bob will be missed by anyone that met him.

VISITATION: Wednesday, October 19, 2022, 5PM-7PM. FUNERAL: Thursday, October 20, 2022, 11AM. Both services held at West Center Chapel. INTERMENT at Forest Lawn Memorial Park.

To view a live broadcast of the service, please visit www.heafeyheafey.com and click the “View Live Cast” button at the top of the home page.

29 Comments

  • Kathy Whelan and Ed Slapkauskas Posted October 17, 2022 9:09 am

    Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this time. Dr. Brown was a wonderful human being and doctor.

  • Connie Wickham Posted October 17, 2022 11:02 am

    I have been a patient of Dr. Brown’s for over 40 years. And followed him each time he changed locations. He delivered all three of our children. He was not only an amazing doctor, but a wonderful man. Thank you for sharing him for all of these years with his patients. The world has lost a very kind, compassionate soul. Matt and Connie Wickham

  • Connie Wickham Posted October 17, 2022 11:04 am

    I have been a patient of Dr. Brown’s for over 40 years. And followed him each time he changed locations. He delivered all three of our children. He was not only an amazing doctor, but a wonderful man. The world has lost a very kind, compassionate soul. Matt and Connie Wickham

  • Kent and Nancy Hultquist Posted October 17, 2022 11:10 am

    We would like to extend our sympathy to Suz and the rest of the family.

  • Tammy Elmborg Posted October 17, 2022 11:52 am

    I worked for Dr Brown for 7 yrs! He allowed me to have flexible hours while going to nursing school. While working for him, i felt like i was family! He has made an imprint in my life I will never forget! Thank you Dr Brown,, will never be forgotten!

  • Jeffery Skinner Posted October 17, 2022 12:02 pm

    Dr. Brown is the one who diagnosed me with Diabetes. That was back in 2000. I went in to see a nurse for a blood test due to having a high reading on an old meter and expired test strips. Dr. Brown was told my A1C and actually came out of the surgery suite to see me on a day he normally didn’t see patients at that time. I was very appreciative that he took the time to come and explain some things to me and eased my fears then got me started on oral meds. He was always a very kind and good Dr. when I went there. I later got into the VA and didn’t go there any more after that. I am so sad to read that he has passed away. I am praying for his Family, friends and former patients. Rest in Peace Dr. Brown!

  • Terry and Kathy Podraza Posted October 17, 2022 12:37 pm

    Dr. Brown was one of the best. He has been or doctor for over 35 years and we loved him. He was like talking with a friend when going to see him. He saved my wife’s life twice through the years and mine once. You could always trust his advice and what ever her recommended to treat you. We never questioned anything. I looked so gorward to seeing him when I had an appointment. He was a great man and the world will never be able to replace him.

  • Vikki Morford Bathke Posted October 17, 2022 12:38 pm

    Dr Brown was our family Dr for several decades. He was the most wonderful and caring person/Dr you could ever ask for.
    He took care of my father when he was dying of cancer and made sure he was always comfortable and had no pain. My mother and I have been a test for him as we both have several autoimmune diseases. He always made time for us and answered every question regardless of how silly or how much time we took.
    We honestly feel he was part of our family and the loss of this amazing man is going to be very hard.
    Rest in peace Dr Brown, you truly deserve it

  • Theresa Merrifield Posted October 17, 2022 12:55 pm

    Dr Brown I loved working with you ! You were a very caring passionate doctor to your patients.. I loved your sense of humor I will very much miss you rest in peace Dr Brown love always Theresa Merrifield

  • Paul Mimick Posted October 17, 2022 2:41 pm

    My condolences to the family and friends. Dr Brown was a great man always took time to listen or just BS for a few minutes. I will miss our conversations about life and the world. You were a great physician and friend to my Dad and I and I hope you rest in eternal peace.

  • Susan King Posted October 17, 2022 3:07 pm

    Sending love, hugs, and condolences to you all!

  • Jane Daggett Posted October 17, 2022 3:40 pm

    Dear Brown family, I’m so sorry to hear about Bob. He was the Best country Dr. Trish and I could have for many years. He was so good at diagnostics and getting us back on a healthy track. My prayers are with all of you. I love ya all!😘

  • Doug Quinn Posted October 17, 2022 3:50 pm

    A true gentleman. He will be missed. Prayers and blessings.

  • Jeanie Stuto Posted October 17, 2022 5:59 pm

    I would like to extend my deepest sympathies to the entire family. Though I did not meet Bob, I am assured he was an amazing man, physician, and father. The love his girls had for him is quite evident and real proof of his wonderful character. Thinking of the entire family at this time. ~Jeanie

  • Chad Bauerly Posted October 18, 2022 4:28 am

    We are very sorry for your loss. Our community was fortunate to have Dr. Brown in our lives! He will be missed.

  • Bonnie Daubman Posted October 18, 2022 11:24 am

    Sending our sincere sympathy to Dr. Brown’s family on his passing. He was our family physician for many years when we lived in northwest Omaha and we received excellent care from him. He was always so easy to talk to about medical issues. May he rest in peace after his long career!

  • Courtney Malcolm Posted October 18, 2022 11:36 am

    I could go on all day about what an amazing man Dr Brown was! He took a chance on me when nobody else would! Working for such a kind caring person such as dr brown you never had to question anything! If you did something wrong he showed you how to do it correct. He was a great mentor! Him and his family because like family to me! I could go to him with problems I didn’t feel like asking anyone else and he wouldn’t judge! The world will never be the same and lost one heck of a man! Rip dr brown

  • Cheryl Gourley Posted October 18, 2022 12:34 pm

    My heart is broken. Dr. Brown has been my Dr. for over 40 years. One time, when my son was a baby, he
    fell down some stairs and when I go to him he had a knot on his head, a smooshed nose and probably a concussion. We lived less than a 1/4 of a mile from Dr. Brown. We raced to his office, without even calling, baby in my arms and he saw up immediately. He examined my son, ran ex-rays, etc. He is a Dr. to me above all doctors. He truly cares. I have know Bob as a doctor and as a friend. I am so going to miss him.! Sandy, Christina,, and nurse Sandy my thoughts and prayers to you and the whole family. He sure did love his family. .

  • Tony &Barb Bakhit Posted October 18, 2022 1:56 pm

    We are so sorry He was a wonderful Dr He will be sorely missed by all who knew him.

  • Brendan Murray Posted October 19, 2022 10:17 am

    Bob was an old friend that I worked for building several office buildings and he helped my son get into medical school. Paul Murray worked for Bob in the summer and gave him a letter of recommendation for medical school.. Paul is now a Pathologist at Penn State. Rest in Peace ole Buddy.
    Ben and Linda Murray

  • Linda Chapman Posted October 19, 2022 3:20 pm

    My sincere sympathy to you Sandy and your family.

  • Thomas carlin Posted October 19, 2022 5:33 pm

    I am very sorry to hear of the passing of Dr.Brown,M.D. I thought he was a very good doctor wo took care of my parents as well as siblings. He was a good man.

  • Catherine Bettin Posted October 21, 2022 2:55 pm

    Suzanne, please accept my sincere sympathy and prayers.
    Your father was a great mentor and champion for continued medical learning. Numerous times in my practice,I would recall things that I had learned from working with your father. He never steered me wrong.. it was an honor to have known him.
    Again, my deepest sympathy and prayers to you and your family.
    Sincerely,
    Catherine Bettin

  • Kathy Steimle Posted October 25, 2022 7:36 pm

    I am so sad ! Not only was Dr. Brown the best doctor I’ve ever had, but also a great friend. I’ve been a patient since 1971 when he opened up on Military Road. He saved me from dying of pneumonia.I’ve followed him from place to place. Even when he worked at Dillards Dept. store.I will miss him always. May he rest in peace,

  • mary mitchell Posted October 31, 2022 7:56 pm

    I really loved DR.Brown he always was there for all his patients he delivered my oldest grandchild Words could not descibe his compassion and care.I will miss so much.

  • Vic Massara Posted November 10, 2022 1:33 pm

    Dr. Brown was one of the busiest, hardest-working physicians I have ever met. I was in Pharmaceutical Sales and called on Dr. Brown from 1971 to 2008 when I retired. We were the same age but Bob continued to work for another 14 years. He was an amazing physician and man, and I have lost a good friend as you have.

  • Kathryne Murphy Posted March 6, 2023 6:41 pm

    My heart felt condolences to the Staff that worked closely with Dr Brown. Dr Brown was a genuine Dr who loved his profession. Dr Robert Brown had been my Dr since 1992. My sincere condolences to Sandy aBrown and Nurse Sandy. Dr Brown RIP

  • Ayi eddy-waitfor KLUSE Posted March 27, 2023 1:28 pm

    RIP my savior…my condolences to your lovely family.

  • Charlene Smith Posted April 3, 2023 10:52 am

    What a wonderful Doctor!

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