Richard Gordon Brame

Richard Gordon Brame “RG” passed away on June 4, 2016 at Hanson Hospice Center, Stevensville.  He was born on January 13, 1931 in Oceanlake (now Lincoln City), Oregon, to Richard D and Sarah C. (Lasher) Brame.  He was the third of six sons. A Celebration of Life Service will take place on Wednesday, June 8, 2016 at 3 PM at Starks & Menchinger Chapel & Cremation Services, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph. Friends may visit with the family from 2 PM until the time of the service at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Lest We Forget of Southwest Michigan. Those wishing to leave an online condolence may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. A native of the Great Northwest, he graduated high school in Pe Ell, Washington in 1949 and lived in SW Michigan since 1960. He joined the U.S.Marine Corps in February of 1951, spending four years with the Corps, serving our country during the Korean War. Richard graduated with Bachelor of Arts degree in Education from Central Washington University in 1958, and earned his Master of Arts degree in Physical Education from Western Michigan in 1977.  He was a high school math teacher and coach (track, football & Cross-Country) at Eau Claire High School (early 60’s), four years in Washington State and at Benton Harbor High School for 35 years until his retirement in 1990.  He served on the Benton Harbor School Board for one term. He was active in the Michigan Education Association during his early professional career and was track coach with the Berrien County Can-Amer Games Summer Youth Program in the early 70’s  He was an official scorekeeper for Benton Harbor Basketball teams for 24 years. Following retirement he was involved in numerous charitable activities.  He was past president of the Berrien County Chapter and a lifetime member of the Michigan Association of Retired School Personnel (MARSP), serving in many other capacities at the local, area and state level.  He was a charter member, and longtime secretary of the Korean War Veterans of SW Michigan, participating in summer parades, the annual “Pancake Breakfast” and other activities.  He served as President of the Korean War Veterans of SW Michigan from ’06-’08.  He was a member of “Lest We Forget of SW Michigan”, the VFW Post #1137 and the Wolverine Detachment of the Marine Corps League, participating in the “Toys for Tots” program since 1995 in Berrien County.  He was a member of the Michigan Sports Sages. He was a member the BH-SJ Exchange Club since 1992, coordinator of the “Youth of the Year” and the Coaches “Crying Towel” programs since the mid 90’s.  He also participated in the annual “Newsie Sale” and the “Give a Kid a Flag to Wave” programs among other activities. He was a volunteer for the American Red Cross blood drives in north Berrien County and was a frequent blood donor, earning the “8-gallon” pin.  He was a volunteer for the St. Joseph Twp. Neighborhood Watch in the early 90’s. He is survived by brother, Ross (Arlene) Brame of AK; four children, Janette Foley of FL, Jeri (Kevin) Bither of MI, Scott Brame of MI, and Doug (Angie) Brame of TX; step daughter Sandra Devine of MI; five grandchildren, Chris Foley, Eric Bither, Sandy (Julian) Oberle, Aaron Brame, David Brame; step granddaughter Leslie Diehl; four great-grandchildren, Elise, Gabriella and Wesley Foley and Colin Oberle; many nieces and nephews; longtime friends, Jean Bower and Bob Contreras; and his beloved cat, Arnie. R.G. was proceeded in death by his parents; four brothers, Donald, Herb, Jack and Bill; son-in-law, Peter Foley; and former wife, Jeanine M. Russ, whom he married in 1956 and was the mother of his four children.