More detail on this person: BRAUN, David Lee
"Dave" (Age 65) Dave was the youngest of three
children born to Aaron and Florence Braun. He was
born October 26, 1949 and passed away at home in
Ritzville on July 24, 2015 after a brief but
courageous battle with cancer. He was preceded in
death by his parents; his brother Dale and his
daughter, Angie. Dave is survived by his wife of
38 years, Carla Steinmetz Braun; his son, Dustan
(Crystal) Braun of Spokane; four grandchildren:
Aaron, Tyler, Sadie and Krista; one
great-granddaughter, McKenna; and his sister, Kae
(Harold) Koch of Chehalis. Dave graduated from
Ritzville High School in 1967, attended Big Bend
Community College receiving his private pilot's
license; the first step into his goal of becoming
a commercial pilot. Instead, he served in the Army
as a warrant officer and helicopter pilot before
returning home to Ritzville. As a lifetime
resident of Adams County, Dave loved farming and
was awarded farmer of the year in 2008. He was a
jack of all trades and enjoyed working with his
hands. Many examples of his handwork in wood,
glass or metal can be seen in and around the yard
at his home. Dave was a voracious reader of
history, reading as much as one book a day when
time allowed. Dave and Carla traveled to many of
the historical areas he read about and wanted to
see. Dave loved to cook. His love of cooking
showed in the meals he would prepare. Often you
would find a new recipe he "just had to try"
gracing the dinner table. I addition he cooked
many several course dinners that were auctioned
off with the proceeds benefiting local
organizations. Two things Dave collected and
enjoyed were an extensive collection of cookbooks
with recipes spanning over 100 years. Also a
collection of John Wayne memorabilia including
copies of every movie made by John Wayne. Dave
was active in many community events doing
whatever was needed to help. He will be greatly
missed by his family and friends. A private
interment will be held at Ritzville Memorial
Cemetery. A Celebration of Life service will be
held Friday July 31, 2015 at 2:00 PM at Zion
Philadelphia UCC in Ritzville. In lieu of flowers,
please consider a donation in David's memory to
the Adams County Pet Rescue, PO Box 311,
Ritzville, WA 99169. Danekas Funeral Home and
Crematory-Ritzville is entrusted with
arrangements.
Funeral Home: Danekas Funeral Home, 207 E
Main, Ritzville, WA 99169, (509) 659-0303
Published in Spokesman-Review from July 28 to
July 29, 2015
This information was last updated 05/18/2016
Please send additions or corrections to: HQ@vhpa.org VHPA Headquarters
Return to the Helicopter Pilot DAT name list
Return to VHPA web site
Date posted on this site: 11/02/2023
Copyright © 1998 - 2023 Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association