Richard H. Browne

Richard H. Browne, a visionary designer and project management professional, passed away peacefully on February 21, 2025, in Boonsboro, MD. Born in 1937 to his late parents, Richard Horace Browne II and Elsie “Kat” Kathleen Browne. Richard dedicated his life to creating impactful designs and fostering innovation across multiple industries, leaving behind a legacy cherished by his extensive family, friends, and community.

 In addition to his parents, Richard was preceded in death by his sister, Elizabeth Carpenter; his uncle, William A. Threadgill and his wife, Josephine, of Huntsville, Alabama; and his cousins, Frances Threadgill Ward of Montgomery, Alabama, Elise “Leslie” Crowson and her husband, Lawrence, of Knoxville, Tennessee, and Helen Boni Shelby and her husband, Claude, of Birmingham, Alabama. 

Richard earned a Bachelor of Industrial Design degree from Auburn University in March 1963, complemented by a robust academic foundation in natural sciences and extensive coursework in areas such as status welding, fiber-reinforced plastics fabrication, sheet metal production, and machine shop techniques. His education laid the groundwork for a distinguished career marked by creativity and technical expertise. A passionate enthusiast, Richard enjoyed collecting old cars and frequently traveled back to his permanent home in Alabama, where he grew fond of the region’s rich history and vibrant automotive culture.

 Richard’s professional journey began with his service in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, where he served honorably as an electronics technician from 1954 to 1962, earning an honorable discharge in October 1962. Following his military service, he embarked on a remarkable career in design and project management. 

From 1963 to 1967, he worked with design firms specializing in exhibit and contract interior work. He then joined Design and Production, Inc. in Alexandria, VA, from 1967 to 1969, serving as a Senior Designer with total responsibility for conceptualizing and developing commercial and institutional exhibit programs and convention services.

 From 1969 to 1971, Richard contributed to The Rouse Company in Columbia, MD, supervising promotional projects for regional shopping centers and planned communities. His work included designing storefront criteria, pedestrian malls, site identification, parking lot signage, and recreational areas for commercial and residential facilities. 

Richard then served as a Design Consultant and Project Director in Washington, DC, from 1971 to 1972, overseeing private and public sector projects, including store planning and layout, and construction documentation for international cultural and trade exhibitions. As a Graphics Consultant for the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Transpo ’72, he supervised all stages of a major exhibition site project, from design through fabrication and site installation.

From 1973 to 1977, Richard served as an Industrial Design Specialist with the U.S. Department of Commerce in Washington, DC, promoting trade development, particularly with the USSR and Eastern Europe. His responsibilities included counseling sales executives in industrial products and technical services, conducting site surveys, designing exhibitions, planning exhibition spaces, and overseeing contractor bid briefings and construction work. 

Since 1977, he worked with the National Park Service in Harpers Ferry, WV, as a Designer specializing in museum and information center development nationwide. His assignments incorporated multi-faceted themes of social, historical, and scientific interest, providing consultation at all levels of visitor sophistication, managing design progress, and supervising research, design contracts, and liaison with fabricators.

Richard was a self-starter with a practical, hands-on approach, seeking opportunities to utilize his broad range of experience and job skills. He stood at 5’10” and weighed 150 pounds, reflecting a life of vitality and purpose. 

In his later years, Richard found solace and joy at Somerford House, where he formed lasting bonds with caregivers and friends, including Dawn, Merideth, Kierra, Ebony, Scooter, Tonja, Tracy, Mariamma, and Barbara. We would also like to thank Marcia for taking the time to sit with him. He was deeply grateful for the compassionate care provided by the Washington County Hospice team, whose support and kindness were beyond measure.

Richard and his family were all deeply grateful for the compassionate care provided by his neighbors and caregivers, Michelle L. and Joseph Mark Stine of Boonsboro, Maryland, as well as their children, Asher L. Stine and his wife, Samantha, with their children, Ezekiel and Isaiah, Joseph Luke Stine and his wife, Ashley, Mikayla Erin Stine, and Micah Rae Stine. Richard will be deeply missed by all who knew him, especially his extensive circle of family and friends who shared in his passion for design, automotive collecting, and community.

 He is survived by his cousin, David D. Shelby and his wife, Jamie, of Birmingham, Alabama, his cousin, Bonnie Shelby Shefferly and her husband, George, of Grosse Pointe, Michigan, his cousin, Henry Shelby and his wife, Patricia, of St. Augustine, Florida, his cousin, Joe Shelby and his wife, Gail, of Bon Secour, Alabama; and his nephews, William E. Carpenter of Maylene, Alabama, and Robert H. Carpenter of Jacksonville, Florida.

Richard will be remembered for his dedication, creativity, and commitment to excellence in design and public service. A celebration of his life will be held at a date to be announced. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the University of Montevallo College of Fine Arts. Expressions of sympathy may be offered to the family at BastStaufferFuneralHome.com.