NEW CASTLE - Richard Lee Brown, 81, of New Castle passed away Thursday, January 14, 2016 at IU Health Ball Hospital in Muncie, Indiana. A son of the late Harlan Maynard and Lena (Brown) Brown, Richard was born on February 10, 1934 in New Castle. During his youth, Richard was an avid basketball player for Hagerstown High School where he graduated with the class of 1952. Richard served his country in the United States Air Force during the Korean conflict and retired after 27 years of service. He was a member of the Hagerstown American Legion Post 333 and the New Castle VFW. In his leisure, he enjoyed watching basketball. Survivors include his foster daughter, Penny (Rich) Lewis of New Castle; sisters, Reba Ribe of Birmingham, Alabama and Janet Pope of Hagerstown; caregiver and friend, VeeAnn Boyd of Cambridge City; many nieces and nephews. Richard was preceded in death by his parents; 9 siblings; wife, Shirley Gail Brown on May 31, 2003. They were married on October 2, 1962 in Sissleton, South Dakota. Interment with military honors will be at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday March 19,2016 at the New Lisbon Cemetery in New Lisbon, Indiana. A luncheon will follow at the New Lisbon Community Building.