Robert H. Brown; Longtime Union Advocate

Robert H. Brown, 81, of Ventura died Friday after a lengthy illness.

Born Sept. 2, 1917, in Oswego, Kan., Brown had lived in Ventura County for the past 60 years. A staunch union supporter and Democrat, Brown “loved to bait you into debating union versus nonunion with him,” said his son, Jerry of Somis. In his retirement, Brown made daily visits to the Ventura Avenue Senior Citizens Center for games of pool and cards.

Brown was a retired operating engineer on construction projects through Local 12. He was a member of the Moose Lodge and American Legion, having served in the Merchant Marines during World War II.

In addition to his son, Brown is survived by two sisters, Margaret Runkle of Roseville and Lola Ramey of Bartlett, Kan.; grandson Bob of Thousand Oaks; grandson-in-law Steve Moran and granddaughter Collette; great-granddaughters Danielle and Sara, all of Austin, Texas.

Brown was preceded in death by brothers Wes and Ray and a sister, Nadine.

Funeral services for Brown will be held at 11 a.m. today at the Joseph P. Reardon Funeral Home in Ventura. Brown will be buried next to his parents in Parsons, Kan.