Richard A. Braunhardt

Richard Alan “Rick” Braunhardt passed away peacefully after a determined battle with cancer on Sunday, November 27, 2016. Rick was born on November 20, 1953 in Celina, Ohio to Doris and Earle Braunhardt. His early childhood was spent in Florida, where he embarked on the first of his many life adventures by pedaling his tricycle without anyone’s knowledge several blocks away to a major intersection so he could watch the big trucks speed by, encouraging them to sound their horns. This was an early indicator of how he would live his life – traveling and finding adventure in everything he did. In 1956, his family moved to Sanford, NC, where he spent the rest of his childhood with his parents, older brother and younger sister in a safe and loving home and nurturing town. It was there that Rick grew into a young man who enjoyed life, a good laugh, and developed a unique sense of humor. He inherited his quick wit and gift of puns from his Mother, and his mentoring and musical abilities from his Dad, Earle, who played and taught music in the Sanford school system. A master musician himself, Earle often said that Rick was as good a trombone player as any he had taught or known. After graduating from high school, Rick enrolled at UNC-W, but found it interfered with living life to the fullest, so he joined the U.S. Army and headed to Heidelberg, Germany in 1975. Rick scored one of the highest ratings on the Army’s musical aptitude test playing bass trombone, and proved his exceptional musical ability over the next several years.

The Army provided Rick the opportunity to travel, see the world, play music, and to enjoy all that life had to offer. He was in the 33rd Army Band in Heidelberg, Germany from 1975 to 1978, then in the 18th Army Band from 1979 to 1981 at Fort Devins, MA, and from there to the 79th Army Band in Fort Clayton, Panama from 1981 to 1983, where he learned passable Spanish, a taste for South American food, and a love for the Central and South American countryside. He left the Army in 1983 to pursue another career, always keeping music as a backup. He decided to go back to school, so he enrolled at Western Carolina University and graduated with a degree in recreational therapy. During this time, he gained a love for the North Carolina mountains, and spent many days cruising the mountain roads and hiking the trails. During the next several years, he volunteered with the Special Olympics, as he found great joy in this work, and worked for various subcontractors to the Veteran’s Administration, providing functional capacity testing for veterans to re-enter the workforce. Always helping others and needing a change, he began working for Eckerd Youth Alternatives as a camp counselor for troubled youth in a wilderness setting. In 2008, he felt the need to travel again and accepted a position as an ESL teacher in South Korea teaching English as a second language to young schoolchildren and adults. It was there that he found his niche – teaching, something he had a true gift for doing. Rick thoroughly enjoyed his time in South Korea, creating lasting friendships with the children, adults, and fellow ESL teachers until 2012, when he returned home to care for his aging parents.

After his Father passed in 2013, Rick spent his last years as a devoted caregiver to his Mother. His patience, gift for telling jokes to lighten the moment, his ability for laughing even during adverse situations, and his steadfast support to his parents enabled them to live the last days of their lives in their home. Despite the 24-hour per day demands of a caregiver, Rick never lost his sense of humor, attention to detail, and caring devotion. He enjoyed his early morning drives with the top down – summer or winter – in his much-loved Miata, “Max.” After his Mother’s passing, as he was preparing to respond once again to the call of travel and adventure and wanting to see Machu Picchu, he was diagnosed with terminal cancer. Like everything he did in life, he faced this setback with humor and his indomitable determination. He was going to live life to its fullest and on his terms in spite of his illness. Instead of pursuing treatment, Rick chose a different course – one that allowed him to live life on his own, doing the things he enjoyed, and being with the friends and family he loved until the end. And he did just that! After a difficult and valiant battle, he left this world just one week after his 63rd birthday.

Rick didn’t march to a different drummer – he had an entire band! Very few people can say they enjoyed life as much as Rick did. He would want us to remember him for the great times shared, his laughter, his jokes, and his innate ability to make us feel better even in the worst of times.

Rick is survived by his brother, Ron “RB” Braunhardt (Sharla) of Lubbock, TX, and sister, Judi Braunhardt Traynor (Joel) of Fort Pierce, FL. At Rick’s request, a private scattering of his ashes will take place at the seashore where he watched his spiritual sunrises and from the top of his favorite mountain, Waterrock Knob in NC. Raise a glass and toast to Rick’s free-spirited life – one well-lived and enjoyed.

Memorial contributions may be made to Treasure Coast Hospice. Additionally, if you can help a child pursue music, please do so in Rick’s memory.

No services at this time.