Tribute to Dick Brown

What is the world coming to!?!

The BBRC Sergeant At Arms was at his finest, weaving together a masterful program praising our beloved Dick Brown for his year’s of Rotary service and noting the closing of one of Bellevue’s retail icons, Albert Ltd. SAA John Martinka laid the groundwork for one of year’s best scams when he emailed all of the membership asking them to “dress in khakis and flip-flops” in recognition of quotes attributed to Mr. Brown. (Martinka was sure Dick wouldn’t read the email – Dick still goes into his office to check his fax – at least twice daily!)

New member Nick Paget gets a dressing down  from sponsor Dick Brown.

As Friday the 18th dawned, Brown appeared, dressed in his usual Albert Ltd. best – dashing black suit with flashy red tie, his usual apparel at Rotary meetings. And, as other members arrived, you could see a pattern evolving. Most were wearing flip-flops, khakis, or levis, to mirror Dick’s comments that the move toward “casual business apparel” had a major effect on his business.

According to the King County Journal article: “In the past 10 years,” Brown said, “sales have fallen off due, in part, to Microsoft. Despite the comfort of casual wear, it's a trend,” Brown said, “that has a negative impact on society as a whole. When I graduated from college, there was a book by John Malloy – Dress for Success,” Brown said. “It was a best seller. Now, they (young people) wear whatever they choose,” Brown said. ”Men can go unshaven and wear khakis and flip-flops and retire as millionaires at 34. Few Microsoft millionaires spend money on formal clothing,” Brown said.”

Our Dick Brown?

At this point, Martinka brandished an article from a news magazine about “Dick Brown, President of EDS, who was retiring with a $32 million severance package.” Martinka wanted to know if our Dick Brown was the same? Then, came the Journal article. With the quotes in hand, Martinka asked if there was anyone in the room who worked for Microsoft. Bill Spencer rose, wearing his usual black suit and red tie, “something we Microsoft millionaires wear all the time! I’m sorry I’m so casually dressed – this is casual Friday at Microsoft!”

Dick was called front and center and presented with two gifts: a pair of new flip-flops and some Value Village khakis. Much to the delight of the audience, Dick took all of it in stride, mindful that these are tough times when an active member like Dick Brown has to make a business decision that affects so many people. We’ll miss Albert Ltd., but there’s no way we’re going to let Dick Brown go!