Robert J. Brown, of Belleville, IL, passed away at his residence on April 20, 2026, surrounded by family.
Robert retired from the United States Navy. After retiring from the Navy, Bob served as Director of Golf at Clinton Hill Golf Course and The Orchards.
He is survived by his wife of 36 years, Rita Menke; sister-in-law, Alexis (Michael) Malham and their children, Lexi Malham, and Matt (Whitney) Malham; brother-in-law, Tim Menke and his children, Michael (Doris) Menke, Mark Menke, and Matt Menke; brother-in-law, Mark Menke and his children, Sarah (Chris) Clark, Molly (Chris) Wiltfang, Maggie (Fiancé, Greg Mazza) Menke, and Georgia Menke; brother- in-law, the late Steve (surviving wife, Peggy) Menke and their children, Alison (Ryan) Coates, Matt (Sheri) Menke, and Alex (Michelle) Menke; sister-in-law, Sally (Chuck) Tipton and their children, Jake (Caleb) Tipton, and Joey Tipton; brother-in-law, Larry Menke and his children, Justin (Angel) Penn and Josh Penn; sister-in-law, Betsy Menke-Dean and her children, Stephen (Kailey) Dean, Emily (Dan) Heth, Rebecca Dean, and Mark (Fiancée Shelby) Dean. He is also survived by several great nieces and nephews: Molly and Mathew Malham, Madison Menke, Parker and Piper Clark, Hannah and Hunter Stewart, Harper and Alexa Coates, Isabella and Maddox Menke, Stella, Callie, and Lorelei Dean.
Memorials can be made to St. Clare Catholic Church, 1411 Cross Street, O’Fallon, IL, The Blood Cancer (Leukemia) Center at Washington University Medicine’s Division of Oncology/Siteman. https://wustl.advancementform.com/campaign/blood-cancer-center-fund/give, or to Belleville East High School Softball, 2555 West Blvd., Belleville, IL 62221.
Per Bob’s wishes, his body will be donated to Saint Louis University for scientific research.
A private memorial will be held at a later date.
