Robert H. “Budge” Brown, Sr. resident of Gardnerville, NV, born in Stockton, CA and long-time resident of Manteca, CA.

Among his many hobbies and pleasures along with spending time with his family were flying, swimming, hunting, boating, SCUBA diving, wine and travel.

Budge was the quintessential entrepreneur who was a farmer all of his life and founded many companies including Brown Sand, Inc. He is probably most fondly remembered as the founder of the Manteca Waterslides and inventor of the modern fiberglass waterslide tube. In his later years, he pursued his passion for farming and wine by combining the two and founding Tulip Hill Winery. After the death of his wife Arlene from breast cancer in 2005 he wanted to make a difference. In 2008 he founded Cleavage Creek Winery in Napa County and focused his time, energy and resources into donating 10% of the gross sales to fund cutting-edge breast cancer research and support.

 Preceding him in death is his beloved wife of 48 years, Arlene Marie Mantelli Brown.

His survivors include his partner in Love: Lorraine Masterson; his children:  Shellie Hakeem (Dave Hakeem), Robert Brown Jr. (Becki Brown), Michael Brown (Karel Brown),  Jeffrey Brown, Kristi Brown (Sara Hammond partner), daughter-in-law Jackie Brown and Kaitlin Young (Lorraine’s daughter); his grandchildren:  Jay Wallis (Julie) Jennifer McDonald (Russ), Robb Brown III, Haley Brown, Erikson Brown, Michael Brown Jr., Andrew Brown, Jeffrey Brown Jr., Jessica Brown; his great-grandchildren:  Justin Wallis, Jamie Wallis, Nicholas McDonald, Riley McDonald, Eli McDonald; and his niece:  Kathleen Brown-Garcia

In lieu of flowers the family requests gifts in Budge’s memory be given to an organization that was close to his heart: Bastyr University, c/o BIORC-Budge Brown Memorials 14500 Juanita Drive N.E., Kenmore, WA  98028-4966 Bastyr Integrated Oncology Research Clinic (BIORC) 14500 Juanita Drive N.E., Kenmore, WA  98028-4966, call 425-602-3008, or online www.bastyr.edu/development/donate.asp

 A memorial service will be held on Saturday, May 28, 2011at 11 a.m. at Quail Lakes Baptist Church 1904, Quail Lakes Drive, Stockton, CA.  An online guest book is available at www.frymemorialchapel.com to send your condolences to the family.

Manteca (Calif.) Bulletin
Wednesday, May 25, 2011