Richard Branham Obituary

Thinking of Richard today, as I often reflect on how fortunate I was to have known him- such an incredible mentor, trusted advisor, and friend.

Still miss Richard, but his voice pops up in my head several times a day, saying "faster". Great man!

"Faster", is what Richard would say as he passed the design studio. It seems that every 23.5 minutes we would hear him chime out "faster" as he passed by. He was encouraging us to run through the design possibilities 'faster' is hopes of learning more about the problem at hand, or at least stumbling on to a better idea. Long after college, and still to this day, I hear him chime in my head, "faster". Because of Richard, all my friends, employees and co-workers also hear me chime - "faster" - as Richard lives on in all of us.

I remember being at a lecture when Richard was describing with a graphic, the curve of increasing knowledge. He thought it was nearly straight up in the 1960s. I wonder how he would characterize it now?
We knew Richard through the UU Church in Oak Park, Illinois. When DPG got started I was also starting my law practice in Oak Park and DPG was a client.
Somehow we ended up with the round maple butcher block conference table and eight elegant chairs from DPG which were delivered to our door in Oak Park. The table followed us through our arrival in New Glarus Wi, center piece of a couple of dining rooms and is now on its way to our son's family in NY. It is an elegant table most suitable for entertaining friends and family. While it may not seem appropriate as a description of the man the table and chairs are as iconic as Richard. We will miss him. How annoying that he seems to have as much hair as i remember from our younger days.
Curious about the location and any written remarks made at the memorial service.

Gof Thomson
[email protected]
608-214-5642

Richard Branham made a major impact on me as an undergraduate student at Northern Illinois University. Richard taught there while he worked at Unimark (along with Philip Seefeld, also a designer at Unimark) and Richard inspired me to move forward in my career in biomedical visualization. He was an amazing man and we stayed in touch over the years. We will miss you but your impact lives on.

Richard quickly became my favorite professor at KU and it was a privilege and a blessing to be able learn from him. His enthusiasm and knowledge were inspiring and his care for us as people was very much felt and appreciated.

I first met Richard when I was a scout leader. Always helpful and kind to us new scout leaders. I ran in to him and his wife later at Watkins Museum in the geneology classes they held. His warm sense of humor and smile will be missed. I am deeply sorry for your loss.

Richard was a true friend, spanning many years and my different roles and visits to KU. Richard and Alisa are the most genuine people I met whilst at KU, and both my wife, Marie and I cherished our meals and dinners out with them - always a pleasure and highlight of the trips. We had so much looked forward to seeing them both in Europe in 2020. Our thoughts are with Alisa in these trying times. Huw and Marie

A great mind and inspiration as I started out in my career in Design. Troy Rodman, Former Design Dir. for Kenmore Appliance Brand, Sears

Richard was a monumental influence during my academic career and a friend throughout my work at KU. Ill always cherish his warm smile, excellent advice, challenging assignments and good bottles of wine.

An impressive professional history & a very gentle, engaging human.

Richard was a good friend and mentor. I will miss him dearly, as will many others.

First, may I extend my condolences to the family. I am so very sorry for your loss and our hearts go out to all of you. I want you to know that Richard gave me a gift that redefined my entire perspective on everything. At a time when I thought earning a Master's in Interaction Design was so far beyond attainable, it was Richard who asked me, "Why?" A short conversation later, my self-doubts became a self-mantra, Why not? He provided endless opportunities and abundant resources to satisfy insatiable appetites for knowledge. He smashed walls of preconceived notions and opened our minds to a kaleidoscope of creative options, limited only by our imaginations. He wove threads of design thinking into the very fabric of human interaction. By teaching us how to change our lenses of perception, he's planted hundreds of seeds that will inevitably change the world. His gift to me: a proverbial mirror and the belief we can improve what we see. He will always have my eternal gratitude.

I had the privilege to work with Richard Branham on several projects over the past 5 years or so. He was a remarkable human being in every aspect of his life. If anything, this obituary underplays the role he has played in the lives of so many. I am only one of many who will miss you, Richard. Excelsior!

I enjoyed and learned much in the genealogy classes. Prayers are with Alisa and family.

Richard Branham was a teacher in the truest sense of the word! As a former student, I learned quickly that he was not a teller! He would instead teach by leading you in the right direction, and by doing that you really learned it, and not just regurgitate it. A great man who positively touched so many! He will be missed!

Though I was only in the field of Industrial Design for a few years, the influence of Richard Branham upon my academic and career choices will forever be with me. I always looked forward to taking classes from him and enjoyed listening to his endless stories about his experiences in the field. Richard Branham inspired me and many future designers during his long life.

Richard was a true Renaissance man with boundless curiosity about, and deep engagement in the world. We have wonderful memories of times spent with Richard--especially of the many conversations we had over the years about design, education, politics, and food. Alisa, our condolences on your loss and our hope that memories of your long and happy marriage are sustaining.