Richard "Red" Braun

Richard "Red" Braun lived a life of bravery. From fighting fires for 37 years to fighting cancer for four, he showed great determination throughout his life. With a love for big band and symphony music, a taste for ham, and a sense of humor that could make anyone smile, Red was a wonderful man.

His story began one day in 1932. Those were hard times in America as people struggled to scrape up a living during the Great Depression. However, in Grand Rapids, Michigan, fire fighter George P. Braun and his lovely wife Gertrude (Bozowski) were eagerly anticipating the birth of another son. With the birth of Richard Braun, their hopes were fulfilled.

Red and his older brother George lived a happy childhood in the lower West Side of Grand Rapids. They were members of St. James Catholic Church before later moving to Collindale Ave. After moving, they became members of Holy Spirit Catholic Church. Red attended St. James Elementary as a young tyke, and in 1950 proudly graduated from Union High School. As a teen, Red loved boxing.

After graduating from high school, Red went to work in a local factory. For six months he attended college, but, at his father's encouragement, decided to return back to work instead. Deciding to follow in his father's footsteps, Red applied at the Grand Rapids Fire Department, and was soon hired. Like most people, Red started from the bottom, and had to work his way up. 37 years later, after serving at Stations 11, 4, and 3, Red would retire as a lieutenant from Station House #8 on Covell Avenue.

One fine day, Red decided to visit a local hall on the east side of town. While he was there, he met a young lady named Anne Kyowski who would change his life. The two began dating, and soon fell in love. But peaceful post World War II times would not last long, and soon Red and Anne found their new love interrupted. Red was drafted into the U.S. Army during the Korean War, and served three years in Germany and Europe as an MP. During his absence, he and Anne kept in touch through letters.

After his discharge from the army, Red couldn't wait to get back home to marry his sweetheart. Red and Anne were married on November 3, 1956 at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church. Though Red had also returned to work at the fire department upon his discharge, he found time to spare to take a Honeymoon at a cottage on Round Lake. Unfortunately, this time of newly wedded bliss was interrupted by a harsh November winter storm that sent them home early.

The new couple first lived on Pine Street in Grand Rapids, later to move to an apartment on Barker. They then moved to Hovey Street and built a home on Alewa where they lived until 1988. On November 18, 1957, Red and Anne were overjoyed at the birth of their first son, Richard. In 1960, Anne gave birth to a second son, Jeffery. Unfortunately, Jeffery developed cancer as an infant and died a short three years later. However, on July 8, 1963 Anne and Red welcomed their daughter Kimberly into their lives.

Red was a strict father, but the love he had for his family was very evident. The Braun family had many good times together. They were members of Holy Spirit Parish, and loved to vacation in South Dakota and Maine, and to camp all over Michigan. While in the winter the kids attended Holy Spirit School, with Richard later attending Union High School and Kim West Catholic High School. When the grandkids came along, Red and Anne often spent the summer months enjoying time spent with them at their cabin on Pickerel Lake in Kalkaska. While there, they enjoyed swimming, fishing and boating together.

After 37 years of serving as a fireman, Red retired. In his retirement, Red still enjoyed spending time at the cabin, though it was sold seven years ago. He and Anne lived in their condo at Strawberry Valley in Comstock park, and loved to golf and bowl. Apart from participating on many bowling and golf leagues, Red was also a member of St. Ladislaus Aid Society, where he loved to socialize. They frequently went out with friends together, and loved to have a good time. Red also had a love for cooking, as well as eating the foods he made. He enjoyed making tomato soup and eggs, chili, ham golumbki, and kielbasa. Above all though, he loved to eat ham, and ate it quite frequently.

More recently, Red came upon difficult times in his life. Four years ago he went to the doctor to have a sore on his arm removed. After this, he was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. He bravely underwent Chemo and radiation for three years, and was joyfully given a clean bill of health. Unfortunately, a year later it reoccurred, this time it was apparent that there was little more that could be done. In the last three weeks, his health began to diminish, and two weeks ago, he was placed under hospice care. His last days were spent surrounded by the love and support of his family. On Tuesday evening at 9:40 PM, Red died with his family at his side.

Throughout his life, Red showed great dedication as a husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. Always a jokster, Red loved teasing kids and his grandchildren, and was always sure to draw out a smile. He loved and was loved by many people, and will be greatly missed

Red Braun was preceded in death by his parents, George and Gertrude Braun, his brother, George Braun and his infant son, Jeffery Braun. Red is survived by his wife of 51 years, Anne Braun (Kyowski), his children, Richard Braun Jr., Kimberly Rewa; his grandchildren, Stan Braun, Jeff Braun, Heather Braun, Hanna Braun, Jessica Rewa and Jennafer Rewa; his great granddaughter, Ayla Braun; nieces, nephews and many friends.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday morning at 11:00 AM at Holy Spirit Catholic Church (everyone meet at the church). Burial in Holy Cross Cemetery. Relatives and friends may meet his family at Heritage Life Story Funeral Home – Alt & Shawmut Hills Chapel – 2120 Lake Michigan Dr. NW on Thursday from 2-4 and 7-9 PM. Contributions in his memory may be made to the Van Andel Institute for Cancer Research. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com to to sign his guest book and leave your own memory of him.