David K. Braun

David Braun was a leader in many areas, including national advertising, the Westport and Fairfield communities, youth sports and his church.  But above all, he most valued his personal relationships and the work he did to help others.  All this was done with integrity and honesty, which was how he approached life, especially after his pancreatic cancer diagnosis.  He was devoted to his beloved wife, Nancy, of 58 years, his three children and their families.  Dave was the son of Louis and Pauline Braun. In 1957, his parents moved from Denver, CO to Bronxville, NY, where he met Nancy. He graduated from Bronxville High School in 1958 and from Amherst College in 1962. Dave and Nancy married that summer and moved to Cambridge, MA where he attended Harvard Business School, graduating with honors in 1964. He worked for the General Foods Corporation and its successor, Kraft Foods, from 1964 until 1996, serving most of that time as Director and Vice President of Corporate Media Services. Dave led a number of innovations in corporate messaging strategy, including negotiating the first major advertising commitment for the launch of CNN and the development of multiple made-for-TV movies. During his 32 year corporate career, he served on the boards of the Association of National Advertisers, the Advertising Council and the Audit Bureau of Circulations which he chaired for 2 years.  Dave retired from Kraft in 1996 and was an independent marketing and media consultant until 2008.  Dave and his family lived in Westport, CT for 42 years where he and Nancy raised their three children: Kevin (Kathleen) of MD, Jeffrey (Lori) of IL and Wendy (Jim) of CT.  Dave felt blessed that his office location in White Plains, NY allowed him to participate in the lives of his children.  Dave coached Little League and Babe Ruth baseball for many years and treasured attending countless school activities and sporting events.  He was deeply committed to the Green’s Farms Congregational Church.  He “wore every hat imaginable” in service to the church, Rev. Jeffrey Rider said in a letter to the congregation.  His roles included being Chairman of the Trustees, Chairman of the Church Council and 14 years as a board member of the Green’s Farms Nursery School and served as its Chairman for many years. Dave and Nancy moved to Fairfield in 2011 where Dave was a condo association board member for 10 years and chairman for 6 years.  He found deep satisfaction in serving this community. The lives of their seven grandchildren – Ryan, Serena, Christopher, Elizabeth, Anike, Grace and Olivia – were a source of profound joy.  Attending their activities and communicating through frequent calls and texts were treasured and served as special opportunities for mutually sharing insights on life. His was a life well lived.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Green’s Farms Church, 71 Hillandale Road, Westport, CT 06880, the Winnetka Congregational Church, 725 Pine Street, Winnetka, IL 60093, or the PEO Chapter H Ct. Scholarship Fund, PEO Executive Office, Treasurer’s Dept., 3700 Grand Ave., Des Moines, IA 50312