The Rev. Richard W. Braun, 84

YOUNGSTOWN – The Rev. Richard W. Braun, 84, Presbyterian Church, (U.S.A.), minister for 55 years and longtime resident of Youngstown, died peacefully with his family by his side of complications from age on Jan. 7 at Forum Health North Side Medical Center.
He was born Nov. 29, 1922 in Chicago and spent his childhood in the Dakotas growing up in a German Baptist home and faith, son of The Rev. Henry G. Braun and Bertha Ziehmer Braun.
His wife Becky and his sisters Doris Bailey, of Baltimore and Norma Files of Ellicott City, Md., survive him. He also is survived by his two children, Richard Harper Braun (Mary Frances) of Cleveland and Elizabeth Louise Braun of Columbus and his grandchildren, Trevor Harper, and Marisa Elizabeth.
His parents and brothers William, Warren and Ralph preceded him in death.
A WWII veteran, Rev. Braun enlisted into the U.S. Army during university schooling and served with the 14th Armored Division (The Liberators) in the European Theater of Operations as a tank driver from 1942 to 1946. He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for Heroic Achievement and the Purple Heart.
He attended Dakota Wesleyan University, University of Pittsburgh Law School for one year and graduated Pittsburgh Xenia Theological Seminary in 1951.
Rev. Braun was ordained and installed into his first pastorate at Blairsville United Presbyterian Church, Blairsville, Pa., continued his ministry at Jennings United Presbyterian Church in St. Louis from 1953 to 1962 and was called to serve at John Knox Presbyterian Church in Youngstown, where he was a pastor for 39 years.
Rev. Braun married Rebecca McKnight, his beloved wife of 60 years in 1946, in New Wilmington, Pa. In 1951 they served at Rev. Braun's first pastorate, Blairsville U.P. The seed of interest in mission work, planted at an early age, naturally grew during his 55-year ministry, and developed into a guiding passion throughout his life and work.
It was during his pastorate at Jennings U.P that Rev. Braun’s ministry in local, national and global mission began. Upon he and his family coming to Youngstown in 1962, where Rev. Braun served as pastor of John Knox Presbyterian, his mission-centered ministry flourished, and was integral to his work of the Church, in the community, and with his personal and professional relationships.
A gifted preacher, Rev. Braun demonstrated concern and compassion for poor, oppressed and disadvantaged people, which were the hallmark of his ministry as a person, and pastor of John Knox.
He was a member of Eastminster Presbytery, active at all levels of the Presbyterian denomination and with his community, including serving on Eastminster's Ministerial Relations, Mission, Theology & Worship, Bicentennial Fund committees, holding several leadership roles during his ministry chairing Synod of The Covenant's Stewardship Committee and PC (USA) Œs National and International Committees on Self-Development of People and in Youngstown’s community, starting Happening House recreational center for neighborhood youth. He co-founded with Irma Davis, Needles Eye and Southside Ministries, with Marie Wolf, Fish-Samaritan House, was charter member, Youngstown Citizen’s League and first pastor and congregation to join ACTION.
Rev. Braun joined the Selma to Montgomery marches with Martin Luther King Jr. in 1965. Through his work at John Knox with a strong lay-team, he was instrumental in bringing the Meals-on-Wheels program to John Knox in 1980, offered to the community a sensory program, Joy of Christmas for developmentally and physically disabled for five years, led more than 30 annual mission work teams nationally and globally and a congregation that gave more than 2 million dollars to mission initiatives and enterprises during his pastorate and served as trustee on the boards of Needle’s Eye, Southside Ministries and Meals-on-Wheels.
He retired in 2001 and continued in active ministry, serving joyfully as interim pastor at North Benton, Kinsman, Ellsworth and Brownlee Woods Presbyterian Churches and since 2003, as Moderator of Ethiopia Education Endowment Fund, an outgrowth of his last foreign mission field visit leading a short-term mission team, and the organization which he was honored to have co-founded.
An avid golfer, Steelers fan, community activist and devoted grandfather to his grandchildren, Rev. Braun was more than anything a faithful servant of Jesus Christ who followed Christ’s call sharing his time, talents and gifts given by God. He served those who were broken and believers in Christ. He challenged, encouraged and led all those who sought to share Christ’s love in this world and the message of the Gospel. He thought globally, acted compassionately, and served selflessly.
A memorial service celebrating Richard Braun’s life will be at 4 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 13, at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 119 Stadium Drive in Boardman, (330) 758-4513, followed by a reception for family and friends.
Memorials in his honor should be sent to the Ethiopia Education Endowment Fund, Presbyterian Foundation, attn: Ethiopia Education Endowment Fund, acct: 1020094021. Mail checks to P.O. Box 406863, Atlanta, GA 30384-6863.
Contact a Foundation representative at (800) 858-6127 for planned gifts. Visit www.ethioeddow.org for messages of condolences and shared memories.
Arrangements by Thompson Funeral Home, 4221 Market St., Youngstown, OH 44512, (330) 788-6568.
Visit www.thompsonfuneralhome. hboy.com online.