Rice Brown

HEAVEN RECEIVED AN ANGEL FOR THE CHOIR ON July 27, 2026

Rice E. Brown, III, was born in McPherson, Kansas, to Vena Mae and Rice E. Brown on February 4, 1938. He was very proud of his small-town upbringing and the simplicity of his early childhood. His high school years were a time of developing his interests in community service and a desire to be a leader. Besides academics he played football (without a face guard) and marched in the band playing his tuba on the back row.

He graduated from Emporia State Teachers College with a Bachelors in Education, following a long line of teachers and administrators in the Brown family. During his first teaching job at Concordia High School, he taught English and American History, but Debate Coach and Drama Instructor were his favorite activities. His love of music started with men’s’ chorus and barbershop quartets and progressed through life to leading singing of any and all kinds of groups.

After teaching a few years his interest shifted to the idea of insurance to help people secure their futures. That was the beginning of a rewarding and successful career spanning 60+ years in life insurance and financial planning. His first job was with The Equitable of Iowa. During that time, he earned the most meaningful degrees to further his career: Chartered Life Underwriter – CLU, Chartered Financial Consultant – ChFC, Master of Science in Financial Services – MSFS.

In 1982, he served as President of the National Association of Life Underwriters (NALU), an organization made up of 150k members from all over America. He was a prominent figure within NALU until his death. Speaking at the annual meeting of the Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT), his presidential year, he delivered a speech that is still talked about today amongst his peers, “The Cream and the Milk.” The theory being the cream represented the best agents in the business who rose to the top based on their success. The milk represented the average agents who had not yet reached their potential.

His other passion was Rotary. He joined the Topeka Rotary in 1977 and remained active throughout his life, serving in local chapters in KS, CA, UT and CO. Though he served in all the offices, Song Leader remained his favorite. It was a perfect fit for a man who loved to sing and uplift others.

Rice is survived by his wife, Jan, and his three children: Teresa Brown, Coy (Sharon) Tuck, and Kelly Tuck. He was blessed with eight grandchildren: Erin (Ricie) Salkeld (Brad), Jaimie Lee Greenwood (Nathan) and two great grandchildren, Travis (Caitlin) Vaughn and four great grandchildren, Coy II (Kendra) Tuck, Tyler Tuck, Trevor Tuck, Andrea (lil Jan) Tuck, and Paul (Rachel) Simmons and two great grandchildren. Each and every one of them brought him immense joy and pride.

Rice loved life deeply and believed wholeheartedly in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. His family has no doubt that he has joined the choir in Heaven – if he isn’t already leading it. Darling, Dad, Papa, our love will never die and we miss you more than we can say.

A memorial service will take place on Sunday, September 6th from 1pm-3pm at the Topeka Country Club, 2700 SW Buchanan St, Topeka, Ks 66611. Graveside services to follow at Walnut Hill Cemetery, 8221 NW Hoch Rd, Silver Lake, Ks 66539