Richard Herbert Braun Sr.

Richard (Rick) Herbert Braun, Sr., 78, of Rising Sun, MD passed away at his home on Friday, December 1, 2023. He was born on September 13, 1945, in Buffalo, NY to the late James Edward Braun, Sr. and Helen (Taylor) Braun.

He is survived by his wife, Nancy of 53 years; daughter, Melissa (Scott) Ortega; son, Richard (Rebecca) Braun, Jr.; five grandchildren: Austin Talley, Richard Grant Talley, William Braun, Evelyn Braun, and Edwin Braun; one great-granddaughter, Willow Talley; his sister, Barbara Ann Dennis; and numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family members who will miss him dearly.

Rick proudly served his country throughout his life, first as a Sergeant in the United States Army during the Cold War and later as a police officer for the Maryland Transportation Authority and for the Veterans Affairs hospital in Baltimore. He also worked in several industries including in metal fabrication and a courier service for the shipping industry.

He was a generous, thoughtful, and kind soul who would drop anything he was doing to help someone. He saved a cousin’s life when she fell through the ice as a child. He served as a Scout Master and Little League coach, and he loved his entire family fiercely.

Most of all, he prided himself on being a hands-on Pop-Pop. He enjoyed family dinners; taking his grandkids to events; playing games; celebrating birthdays and holidays; and watching his grandkids’ activities.

Rick’s hobbies included fishing, hunting, and crabbing; fixing anything mechanical or electrical; and rooting for his favorite teams: the Baltimore Colts, the Baltimore Orioles, and the Buffalo Bills. He enjoyed brain teasers, word games, and puzzles; and he loved playing (and winning) card games. A lifelong do-it-yourselfer and jack-of-all trades, he could build anything, fix anything, and tell you how to fix anything. His skills, inventiveness, and work ethic knew no bounds.

He was quick to make friends wherever life took him—from the streets of Baltimore to the Seafood Counter at Martin’s in Rising Sun. Every person who knew Rick has a story, whether it was a prank he played, a joke he told, a surprise Amazon package he sent, or a way he impacted their life.

Nothing can replace the joy, humor, and love Rick Braun brought to our lives; we were all better off for knowing him.

Rick will be interred at Garrison Forest Veterans Cemetery in Owings Mills, MD. Services will be held at a later date; please refer back to the obituary for details.