Richard "Dick" Brown

Our dad, Richard L. “Dick” Brown, age 91, died comfortably on December 16, 2025 from complications of dementia. He leaves behind his inseparable companion and wife of 69 years, Anne (Kleinfield); his daughters and sons-in-law Debbie and Andy Zlotnick and Carol and Paul Layer; his granddaughters Lauren Kessler (Jason), and Tess and Cleo Layer; and his great-grandson, Cameron Kessler.

Dad was a fitness devotee before fitness was cool and he shared that enthusiasm with countless others throughout his life. Dad had a long career as a physical education teacher in the Philadelphia public schools. Decades ago, he served as Assistant Director of Camp Akiba’s Girls’ Camp and Director of Akiba’s Boys’ camp. And Dad was known as the “Mayor” of any gym to which he belonged. Together with our Mom, Dad collected innumerable friends through every phase of life and he will be missed by all of them, old and new.

We will remember him as a caring and boundlessly accepting father with a delightfully groan-worthy sense of humor— he put the “Dad” in Dad jokes.

We lovingly raise a glass (specifically, an Arnold Palmer) and a very, very heavy barbell in his memory.

A Memorial Service will be held Thursday, December 18, at 3:00 PM in the Rydal Park Auditorium, 1515 The Fairway, Jenkintown, PA 19046. Those wishing to honor Dad’s memory may consider a donation to Keneseth Israel, 8339 Old York Rd., Elkins Park, PA 19027 or www.kenesethisrael.org