TERRY B. BRAUER

GRAVESIDE SERVICE: THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2023, AT 1:30 P.M. AT EVERGREEN CEMETERY ***THE GRAVESIDE SERVICE WILL BE RECORDED ON THURSDAY AND WILL BE AVAILABLE TO VIEW AFTER ON THIS WEB PAGE BY CLICKING ON THE "PHOTOS AND VIDEOS" TAB Terry B. Brauer, age 76, of Lansing; died on September 5, 2023. Beloved son of both the late Morris and Eva Brauer. Dear uncle of Beth Brauer. Proud great-uncle of Seren Delaney and Brynn Delaney. Mr. Brauer was preceded in death by his two brothers, Richard Brauer and Michael Brauer. My uncle moved to Lansing to be close to me and the girls a little over a year ago. It was one of the first times in our lives that we lived close enough to see each other with some regularity. When I was a young kid, he lived on the north side or northwest suburbs when I lived far south. Then, he moved to Tiburon, California for many years and then on to Portland, Oregon. I visited him once in each place. He made sure I got to see all the touristy places. He loved having me there. Something I learned early on about my uncle is that he craved a familial connection. He wanted to have relationships with his family members. He struggled to maintain them, but he wanted it more than anything, I think, for much of his life. When I was a bit older, Adam and I visited him in his home in Portland, and he let us borrow his car to check out the vineyards along the coast. One thing about my uncle. He got his money’s worth out of most everything he owned. His car was no exception. I remember driving to the vineyards and along the Oregon coast in his Mercury Grand Marquis that had weathered a few fender benders and the wear and tear from his canine kids: Chutzpah and Jake and then later Taco. His dogs were his children. Chutzpah and Jake were pure bread Bishons who toured the show dog circuit. They brought him so much pride. Then, there was Taco who was his rescue that he named as he stood at the stove making himself tacos. He said Taco was “a spicy guy,” and it seemed like the right name. Terry was a complex character. I know I only scratched the surface, but I think these last few weeks have me understanding and appreciating him in ways I hadn’t before. He was a fighter in so many ways. I discovered recently that he was a Freedom Rider who actively participated in protests and marches during the Civil Rights Movement. He also worked for some time as an officer with the Capitol Police during his years in D.C. His moral compass was strong. He believed with his entire being that what he was fighting for would result in greater equity and quality of life for those he served. He also had a side that showed he didn’t take himself too seriously. He could laugh at himself… even if that laughter followed a lot of curse words. Terry had no sense of direction. While it was the source of frustration for him, it also provided us with plenty of entertainment. Like the time he arrived at Brynn’s dance recital about 15 minutes before it ended because the directions he printed off of MapQuest failed him. So much of my uncle reminded me of my father. I guess that’s not something my uncle would want to hear, but it is true. For this last year or so, he stepped in as a bit of a pseudo grandfather to Seren and Brynn. Attending the kids’ performances, celebrating birthdays, participating in Seren’s Bat Mitzvah. We loved having him so enthusiastically participate in our lives. That he wanted to do that more than anything else is an honor. In closing, I will share something Terry’s close childhood friend Gary Goodman sent to me this morning. It’s a photo of the headstone he had placed near the gravesites for his brother Michael, and his parents Morris and Eva. The inscription says: “Tzadikim, Giving, Kind- They made a difference.” INTERMENT: Evergreen Cemetery 2600 E. Mt. Hope Ave. Lansing, MI 48910 OFFICATING: Rabbi Yisroel Weingarten SHIVA: The family with be observing Shiva privately CONTRIBUTIONS: Chabad House of Greater Lansing/MSU 540 Elizabeth Street East Lansing, MI 48823 www.chabadwestmichigan.com

TERRY B. BRAUER

September 21, 1946 - September 5, 2023

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TERRY B. BRAUER

September 21, 1946 - September 5, 2023

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