Richard Dick John Brouns, age 91, died Tuesday morning, August 25, 2009, after a long battle with Alzheimer's disease.

Dick was born in Osakis, Minnesota on October 2, 1917 to John and Helena Brouns, the oldest of seven children. He grew up on the family farm, and after high school graduation from the one-room school in Osakis he attended St. John's University in Collegeville, Minnesota. He later obtained his master's degrees in chemistry and music, and doctorate degree in chemistry from Iowa State University. Dick moved to the Richland, Washington in 1948 to work as a chemist for General Electric and then Battelle Pacific Northwest Laboratory until his retirement in the early 1990s. In 1952 he married Katherine Nyla Neidhold. Dick and Nyla had six children and 55 loving years together until her death on September 1, 2007.

He was a pillar of the Tri Cities community who, with Nyla, committed his life to working for world peace, social justice, and human dignity. Together they joined organizations such as CORE Congress of Racial Equality, NAACP, United Farm Workers, Democratic Party, Tri-Cities Food Bank, Christ the King Parish Social Justice Committee, and World Citizens for Peace. Dick left an indelible mark on almost everyone he encountered and was a powerful example to his children and grandchildren. His deep faith, passion for nature, and never-ending love for his family, friends, and community will be greatly missed.

Dick is survived by his six children Margy Brouns Eaton Jim of Seattle; Kathy Schiro Harvey Barney of Bothell, Washington; Rick Brouns Pam of Richland, Washington; Matt Brouns Marian of Portland, Oregon; Virginia Brouns Harrison Vincent Thomas of Albany, New York; and Tom Brouns Donna of Pasco, Washington; ten grandchildren Shaunda Brouns, Kylene Brouns, Jared Schiro Trish, Ali Schiro Burton Cody, Matt Schiro Jennifer, Maggie Harvey, Nick Eaton, Chris Eaton, Kate Brouns, and Joan Harrison; and 3 great-grandchildren Dominic Schiro, and Keawa'one and Makana Brouns-Prince. Dick is also survived by two brothers Robert Brouns of Rockville, Maryland and Austin Brouns of Dallas; sister Joan Richied Don of Little Falls, Minnesota; sisters-in-law Maureen Neidhold of Richland, Washington, and Dolores "Dode" Hollander of Wausau, Wisconsin; and his devoted caregiver the past two years, Gina York of Richland, Washington. He is preceded in death by his sisters Alice Anderson and Virginia Brouns Rainwater, brother Harold Brouns, and infant granddaughter Zoe Brouns Thomas.

A Recitation of Rosary service will be at 6:00 p.m. Monday August 31, 2009 at Christ the King Catholic Church in Richland. A funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday September 1, 2009 at Christ the King Catholic Church in Richland.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the following organizations that Dick and Nyla supported: World Citizens for Peace, PO Box 594, Richland WA 99352 www.wcpeace.org and the Tri-Cities Food Bank, 321 Wellsian Way, Richland WA 99352 www.foodbank.richlandcommunity.org.