Here, son Bear Brown reflects on his family’s loss.
What has it been like to grieve privately for all these months and now share that experience publicly?
BEAR BROWN:I took it pretty hard.
Bear Brown; Billy Brown.Discovery (2)
We all did, really, because Da’s passing was pretty unexpected.
And it’s hard.
I’ve been trying to just keep as strong as I can with both my family and the public.
Mom has actually been the stoneshe’s been the strongest, to be honest.
I have broken down a couple of times in tears and stuff.
I’m sure your family is all taking turns leaning on each other.
That is one thing that’s made it a little bit easier, having other people to lean on.
Sometimes they’d lean on you, and then other times you’d lean on them.
Rain is really focused on mining for gold around the ranch.
I always attempt to be as completely supportive as I can.
Has rebuilding North Star Ranch been a welcome distraction?
Da had been talking to everyone about the plan [to rebuild].
It gave us something to do instead of just sitting around and moping.
We actually have our hands quite full.
We try and help and stuff, but I’m not really much of a numbers, building guy.
Do you watch episodes of the show?
I actually haven’t watched it since Da passed.
Something you might point to and say, “That was your grandfather.”
That’s something that is really cool.
I didn’t actually watch it, but the part that was on was Da.
Your dad was always passionate about connecting with nature.
Does being out in the woods around the ranch make you feel close to him?
I’ve been climbing up at the top of a lot of trees, actually.
Sometimes I almost think that I can hear his voice in the wind when I’m up high.
And I have given out a few howls.
[Laughs] But no, a lot reminds me of him.
I spend a lot of time reflecting on the past and just remembering him a lot.
Da meant a lot to me.
He was my best friend and my hero.
