Senators introduce bill to rename Thermopolis post office after lifelong resident, former postmaster

Press Release

U.S. Senators Mike Enzi, R-Wyo., and Tom Carper, D-Del., introduced a bipartisan bill today to honor former Thermopolis Postmaster Robert Brown by renaming the local post office after him. Brown, a lifelong resident of Thermopolis, passed away earlier this month at age 94. The bill is cosponsored by U.S. Senator John Barrasso, R-Wyo.

Brown's career with the U.S. Postal Service spanned 44 years, including 18 years as the postmaster. Brown and his wife, Jerry -- who was Enzi's first Sunday School teacher -- are the parents of Barrasso's wife, Bobbi.

"Bob Brown will be sorely missed in his community and I can think of no better way to honor someone with such a long and storied career with the U.S. Postal Service, as well as with the people of Thermopolis, than to introduce this bill to name the Thermopolis post office after him," Enzi said. "That historic building holds the memories of a veteran who came home to work and spent his entire career in that building, winding up as postmaster."

"My father-in-law Bob Brown was an American hero who inspired everyone who was ever privileged to know him," Barrasso said. "He was known by many in his hometown of Thermopolis as the nicest guy in town. After returning from serving in WWII and Korea, Bob served his community for many years as a postmaster. I would like to express my deep appreciation and admiration to Senator Enzi and Senator Carper for introducing this bipartisan legislation to honor Bob. I cannot think of a more fitting way to honor his service and his memory."

"It was Muhammad Ali who said, "The service we do for others is the rent we pay for our room here on Earth.' I was never fortunate enough to meet Robert Brown, but I know that he dedicated his life to service -- first in World War II, then in the Korean War and then for years in the U.S. Postal Service as a postmaster. And I know that our country is better for his lifetime of service to others," said Carper. "I want to thank my colleague, Senator Enzi, for graciously allowing me to be his wingman in this effort to rename the Thermopolis post office in Mr. Brown's honor. While he's no longer with us, I know that his memory will live on for generations in the community he served so well."

After graduating from Thermopolis High School, Brown was inducted into the Army in 1944 and served in both the Europe and the Pacific theaters. In 1950, when he was part of the National Guard, Brown deployed to Korea where he was a member of the 300th Armored Field Artillery Battalion. Along with a unit citation, he received the combat infantry badge and the Purple Heart. After his service, he returned to Thermopolis and began working at the post office.

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