Richard N. Brown

Brown, Richard N.

DUANESBURG- Richard N. Brown, 47, of Duanseburg passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, June 30 at his apartment in Arlington, Virginia. He was born and raised in Schenectady by Jack N. Brown and the late Doris M. Alheim (Brown). Rick graduated from Linton High School and from Hudson Valley Community College.
Coming from a staunch union family, Rick was a trade unionist at heart. Rick began his union experience working with the Laborers' Local 157 and had maintained that membership for 28 years. After college, Rick worked at the Watervliet Arsenal as a journeyman machinist for the United States Army. During his time in Watervliet, he proudly held the positions of both President of NFFE Local 2109 and Region One National Vice President. Rick was also the NFFE Local 2109 representative for the Capital District Area Labor Federation and served on the Labor Parade Committee. Rick maintained his membership in NFFE Local 2109 and remained a strong supporter of his union brothers and sisters at the Watervliet Arsenal. In 1998, Rick was elected to the office of National President of the National Federation of Federal Employees and represented over 100,000 federal employees from the headquarters in Washington D.C. He was an outspoken and strong advocate for federal employees in the fight against several workforce initiatives aimed at contracting out federal government jobs and eliminating federal employees' collective bargaining rights, most recently successfully reversing major portions of the National Security Personnel System (NSPS) in conjunction with other federal unions. During his Presidency, Rick was credited with the expansion of membership and increased presence on Capitol Hill. Rick also served on several other boards and working groups including the Federal Salary Council, Employee Thrift Advisory Council, Federal Advisory Council on Occupational Safety and Health, the National Partnership Council and the Federal Employee Education and Assistance Fund.
Aside from his career, Rick enjoyed the outdoors and all of nature's gifts. He spent his free time hunting, fishing, and most recently building and working on his camp in Lewis County. This was his sanctuary where he could think, write poetry and spend time with friends and family. Rick was devoted to his family and friends, holding loyalty to all. He is survived by his father, Jack N. Brown, fiancé Cate McGregor, siblings Kimberly Carl and Douglas (Rebecca) Brown and is also the beloved uncle of Hailey Deyo, Colleen Carl, Emily, Robert, and Abigail Brown.
Funeral Services will be held Wednesday morning at 10:00 am at the New Comer-Cannon Funeral Home, 343 New Karner Rd., Colonie. Calling hours will be Tuesday from 3-8pm at the funeral home. Interment will be in Memorys Garden. Memorial contributions may be sent to the Federal Employee Education and Assistance Fund (www.feea.org, 303-933-7589) or to the Adirondack Council (www.adirondackcouncil.org, 877-873-2240).

To leave a special message for the family online, visit NewcomerAlbany.com