Bob Brown

July 26, 1942 - June 12, 2025

Robert Leslie Brown, age 82, passed away peacefully in Bullhead City, Arizona at his home surrounded by his family.

Bob was born in Oak Park, Illinois, and was raised in South Pasadena going to public school and then studying at L.A. State College. He started working at 15 years old as a delivery boy at a liquor store and then managing the store at age 22. He later became an import representative for Cruise French Wines and Bottled Liqueurs. He also worked as a claims adjuster for Allstate Insurance for four years. He served in the California National Guard from 1963 until 1972 and was assigned to Watts in 1965 during the riots. He retired as a First Sergeant in Artillery.

Bob met his loving wife Rita in 1964. Within two years they were married and living in Arcadia. In marrying Rita he gained four children (Sam, Tina, Steve, and Kim) whom he adopted in 1968. 

Bob started Apple Construction in Van Nuys in 1974 and in 1978 he moved the family and the business to Bullhead City. At that time Bullhead City was a small town and as time went by, Bob and Apple Construction built up the city with strip malls, gas stations, garages, awnings, and room additions. The family joined  St Margaret Mary's Catholic Church. With his construction background, he was called upon to do many new things for the church.

He joined many organizations in town as he was devoted and pleased to work with and for the community. He has been part of the Mohave Valley Contractors Association, helped to start the Academy of Builders school, Men's Club at Desert Lakes Golf Club and a huge part of the Bullhead Kiwanis Club since 1980. He was always very active whether it be with the family functions, traveling around the world to places like South Asia, Europe, Alaska, and the entire United States. They loved going to Williams, Arizona where they bought a cabin and traveled to all the great little towns around.

Bob was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, loyal to anything that he put his heart too. Bob is predeceased by his loving wife, Rita; and his parents, Burt and Dorothy. He is survived by his younger sister, Judy Brown Lloyd '63; brother, Bill Brown '61; four children; seven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

Mohave Daily News, July 16, 2025