Age 101, passed away Tuesday, June 13, 2023 at his home, with his family at his side. He was born December 6, 1921 in Forest City, Iowa , the son of Anton Ensign and Clara Nateva (Emmons) Rasmussen.
Robert served in the Army as a Corporal in the Philippines during WWII. He was an Aeronautical Engineer and later an automotive engineer. He worked for Boeing in Seattle, Washington, then for Chrysler Aerospace in New Orleans, Louisiana (on NASA's Saturn rocket project); and finally the Chrysler Proving Grounds in Chelsea, retiring in 1991. He has lived in Chelsea since 1969. Robert was a member of the St. Paul United Church of Christ. He enjoyed traveling, particularly to San Francisco (where his son lived); and woodworking. Dad exercised 3 times a week on his Nordic track, which he bought when he retired at age 70. His favorite adage was “Bodies are made to move.” He also enjoyed classical music and played his trombone every day in retirement.
Tom Brown II of Chelsea, Michigan, formerly of Albion, age 88, died suddenly Thursday, March 30, 2023 at Chelsea Retirement Community (CRC) Dancy Hall Independent Living. He was born August 21, 1934 in Oak Park, Illinois, the son of Tom Brown and Margaret (Nehls) Brown. Tom attended East Detroit public schools, graduating from East Detroit High School in 1952. He was very active in Boy Scouts, attended an International Jamboree, and was a Sea Scout, where his love for sailing began. He graduated with a BA from Albion College, Albion, MI in 1956 with majors in English and History
After meeting her in the Albion College Choir, Tom married his college sweetheart, Patricia Louise Sanford on August 27, 1955 in Lansing, MI. They honeymooned in Paradise, Michigan. Tom celebrated their love every month on the 27th with an original poem, a flower, a song, a dance around the living room, etc.
After Tom finished his Albion College degree, they moved to Boston, MA so he could earn his Masters of Divinity from Boston University School of Theology and Harvard Theological School, graduating in 1959. There he met and studied with Martin Luther King, Jr. under professor Rev. Dr. Howard Thurman. Throughout their lives, Tom and Pat read, celebrated, and quoted Dr. King and Dr. Thurman.