Richard Elmer "Pete" Browne

Richard Elmer “Pete” Browne – March 21, 1931 – December 3, 2023

R. E. “Pete” Browne was born on March 21, 1931, to Charles and Betty Browne in St Louis, MO. Pete was a husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, son, brother, friend, and businessman. He passed just a few months after his beloved wife Fern; some would say of a broken heart. He lived a very full life of 92 years and up until very recently had not spent a day in the hospital. Pete served in the Army and saw combat in the Korean War and achieved the rank of Sergeant. After the war, Pete attended Northeast Missouri State Teachers College in Kirksville, MO. In college Pete met and married his sweetheart, Fern Peterson. Pete and Fern were married for 67 years until she passed away on Sep 17, 2023. Together they were blessed with 5 children, 11 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren.

After graduating Pete taught Industrial Arts at McKinley and Dewey schools. He also taught drivers education. He then started a commercial construction business, R.E. Browne & Associates Construction. He began the business in the late 1960’s and continued until he retired some thirty years later. Pete was elected and served multiple terms as an Alderman in the City of Overland.

Pete loved and was very proud of his family. He enjoyed tracking their successes and could be heard sharing their latest accomplishments with his friends. He also had a great love for all things trains. He got this love from his father who worked for the railroad and was a collector of model trains. There are many memories of Pete on the living room floor with a grandchild on his lap and a train running around the Christmas tree. He also loved to travel with Fern and their friends. They had several trips to Las Vegas, Hawaii and the Bahamas.

Pete is survived by his 5 children and spouses; Teri Browne, Buddy and Karen Browne, Bryan and Paula Browne, Sue and Jerry Ellis, Jeffrey Browne and Maggie Fishbeck, 10 grandchildren and spouses; Bryan and Kim Browne, Aaron and Meg Browne, Amanda Dubach, Brittney and Darren Jordan, Sydney and Michael Thornhill, Ben Browne, Max Browne, Michael Browne, Maria Comerford and Cassidy Ellis and 8 great grandchildren; Emmerson Browne, Lincoln Browne, Jackson Browne, Peterson Browne, Augustus Browne, Bowen Browne, Anthony Browne and Allie Thornhill, and his brother and spouse Bob and Yolanda Browne. Pete was preceded in death by his wife Fern, his parents Charles and Betty Browne and brother Charles Anthony Browne II.

Services will be held on Thursday December 7, 2023 at John L. Ziegenhein and Sons Funeral home at 7027 Gravois Ave, St Louis, MO 63116, visitation from 8:30 a.m. until funeral service at 10:15 a.m. Interment will be immediately following at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, 2900 Sheridan Road, Lemay, MO 63125. In lieu of flowers please make donations to Shriners Hospital St Louis.