Robert Brauburger

On December 1, 2010, Robert A. Brauburger, Sr., was surrounded by his loving family as he passed on to his Heavenly Father. Bob was born in Elizabeth, NJ on May 31, 1922, to George P. Brauburger and Anna C. Fedden Brauburger. He graduated from Pingry School, Elizabeth, NJ, in 1940, and from Lafayette College, Easton, PA, with degrees in both electrical and mechanical engineering. Afterward, he joined the United States Army and was in the service during World War II. He began a 42-year career with Chrysler Corporation in Detroit. While with the company, he earned a Master of Automotive Engineering degree from the Chrysler Institute of Engineering in 1947 and a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering degree from Wayne State University in 1949. At Chrysler, he received a patent for a trim fastener and he pioneered the creation and use of three-dimensional, computer-aided design in the engineering process of vehicle development. This accomplishment allowed Chrysler to design an automobile far quicker than ever before by replacing the drawing board with a computer. That, in turn, allowed Chrysler to get its new automobiles to showroom floors in record time. In June of 1950, he married Mary Halpin (who preceded him in death in June of 1971). They had three children together-Robert A. Brauburger, Jr., Bonnie Brauburger Buckley, and Karin Brauburger Clark. In 1972, he married Martha Jane VanTuyle Mabry. His family then expanded to include Nan Mabry Draper and David Mabry. Today, the family is comprised of childrens' and grandchildrens' spouses, nine grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. Bob lived in Detroit, Ann Arbor, and, in 1987, retired to Torch Lake in Bellaire, Michigan. During those years, he made many friends and devoted his considerable skills and energy to multiple organizations and served his communities well wherever he was. Bob belonged to the American Association of Mechanical Engineers; the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers; and the Society of Automotive Engineers. He was a past president of both the Rotary and Lions Clubs in Bellaire, MI; a Senior Warden for three years at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Elk Rapids, MI; and Chairman of the Board for the State Savings Bank in Clinton, MI. His undertakings also included being a teacher to others. This he did as a visiting lecturer at Carnegie Mellon Institute and the University of Michigan Ross School of Business. He presented at many technical seminars, including a number in France, Switzerland, Germany, Italy, and the United Kingdom. He will be forever in the hearts and minds of those who knew and loved him. All are welcome to come to a gathering for those who wish a time to say good-bye. A memorial service will be held at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 403 Traverse Street, Elk Rapids, Michigan, 49629 on Saturday, December 11, 2010, at 2:00 p.m. with Rev. David Mellor officiating. Bob has expressed his wish, and it would please his family as well, that friends wanting to remember him consider a donation to St. Paul's Episcopal Church. Please sign Bob's guestbook at www.mortensenfuneralhomes.com