The National Federation of Federal Employees is mourning the loss of President Richard Brown, who died Tuesday. He was 47.

Brown had served as the union's elected leader since 1998.

"The phone has been ringing off the hook all morning and you really haven't had time to process that he's really gone," said NFFE legislative director Randy Erwin, who said the staff is devastated over Brown's sudden death. Erwin said Brown had no health issues and the cause of death has not been determined.

NFFE employees grew concerned when Brown didn't show up to work Tuesday. An employee went to check on Brown at his Arlington apartment, where Brown was discovered unresponsive.

NFFE's executive board held an emergency conference call Wednesday morning to discuss the union's leadership transfer. Per the union's bylaws, the secretary-treasurer, William Dougan, has been elevated to president.

Dougan will appoint his replacement with board approval, which should happen in the coming months, Erwin said.

In a press release, Dougan praised Brown's leadership and his efforts to halt the Defense Department's pay-for-performance system known as the National Security Personnel System (NSPS).

"Never one to back down, Rick was a strong presence in the fight against several federal workforce initiatives aimed at contracting out federal government jobs and eliminating federal employees' unions. His most impressive work was done in opposition to NSPS. Just last week, Rick gave impassioned testimony in opposition to NSPS before the Task Group of the Defense Business Board, a panel that is conducting a review of the personnel system," Dougan said.

Erwin said Brown would most want the union to continue its fight against NSPS, a system he found particularly degrading to federal employees. A former Army machinist, Brown loved his military work but despised the pay system, Erwin said.

"He used to brag about building bunker-busting cannons — it was a real point of pride," Erwin said. "He felt NSPS was an attack on Defense employees, and he took it personally."

Office of Personnel Management Director John Berry expressed his sympathies to Brown's family and friends Wednesday.

"Rick lived a life of service and leadership, and this is a tragic loss. I only knew Rick for a short time, but his dedication shone through in our work together on issues that matter deeply to federal employees and working people everywhere. He will be forever remembered as a smart, tough and passionate employee advocate," Berry said in a statement.

Erwin said services are expected to be held in Brown's home state of New York. NFFE will post information about services on its Web site, www.nffe.org.

Brown is survived by his fiancée, Cate McGregor; his father, Jack Brown; a brother, Douglas Brown; and a sister, Kim Carl. Charitable donations in Brown's name may be made to the Federal Employee Education & Assistance Fund. For more information on the organization and donating, visit www.feea.org.