Richard (Rick) David Browning
May 12, 1946 – July 6, 2022.
Rick was born in Toronto, lived a beautiful life, and passed gently away in Kamloops, BC at the Marjorie Willoughby Snowden Memorial Hospice Home. He is survived by his loving wife and caregiver Susan (Stokes) and their children Catherine & David Browning; his daughters Ashley & Brianna Browning and their mother Wynn Browning; as well as his loving sister Ruth Howse (Robert). Rick was predeceased by his parents Col. Lydia & Col. Albert Browning. He also leaves behind a large extended family and many friends.
Rick was self-deprecating, and he didn’t like to fuss. But he lived a life worthy of recognition. As co-founder of the Institute for Human Resource Development (St. John’s, NL 1987-1999), he offered a different approach to healing communities and brought new perspectives to human issues. He worked in the NWT before settling in BC, where he retired from Thompson Rivers University as the Director of Human Resources (Kamloops 2005-2015). There, he was known to be a fair and thoughtful leader by the Administration and the Unions, and his ability to mediate tense situations and lead them to desirable outcomes was respected by all. He mentored both colleagues and students. Some of his favourite times were Convocation, and the Back-to-School BBQ where he would proudly wear his TRU polo shirt and flip burgers. He loved his work, and through it he made many friends and confidants.
Rick’s kind, gentle and loyal soul was front-and-centre to those that met him. He was soft-spoken, but also funny and charming – right to the end. He was a devoted husband and proud father and doted on his cat Jenny who was by his side for many of his last days. He loved camping, his motorcycle, watching sports with his family, and hanging out at the ball field. He could often be seen enjoying a Timmies Hot Chocolate and Fruit Explosion muffin. In earlier days, Rick loved a good book, good beer, and good chicken wings.
Rick fought a lengthy illness – an imperfect storm of Alzheimer’s and then cancer. While life did become more challenging as time went on, Rick continued to engage with his usual humour, and built many wonderful memories with his family.
Rick’s remains will be repatriated to his beloved Newfoundland in August for a private celebration of life. Contributions in his memory can be made to the Alzheimer’s Society Canada research program or to the Marjorie Willoughby Snowden Memorial Hospice House. We’d like to recognize that Alzheimer’s is a complex, devastating, and underfunded disease; and would also like to thank the staff at Hospice Home for the amazing support they provided to the whole family during Rick’s long stay in their care.
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Richard Rick David Browning 1946 –..
Death notice for the town of: Kamloops, Province: Colombie britanique