Richard P. Braun, the founding director of CTS and a champion of transportation innovation, died April 11 at the age of 91.
“The CTS family mourns his passing,” says CTS director Laurie McGinnis. “Thirty years ago, the University of Minnesota established the center to bridge a gap Dick identified while serving as MnDOT commissioner. He recognized that it was critical to strengthen the connection between the professionals working at MnDOT and the faculty conducting transportation research at the University. This partnership and collaboration launched Minnesota’s reputation as an incubator for transportation innovation, a designation that remains true today. We will always remember Dick for his vision and are grateful that he remained engaged with the center for the rest of his life.”
Braun was the sole employee of CTS when it opened its doors in 1987. The launch followed years of work by civil engineering professors Panos Michalopoulos and Yorgos Stephanedes to establish a transportation center at the University. They prepared a justification report and vision for a center, building on a cooperative transportation research agreement Michalopoulos had brokered with the University and MnDOT. Braun embraced their vision and secured initial funding of CTS with $3 million of what were known as oil-overcharge restitution funds, earning the support of then-governor Rudy Perpich.
at the Braun Chair fundraiser in 2006.
During Braun’s tenure, CTS issued its first request for proposals to University researchers, formed an advisory structure, and held its first annual research conference. In addition, two federally funded programs began operations as part of CTS: the Intelligent Transportation Systems Institute (a federal University Transportation Center) and the Minnesota Technology Transfer Program (now the Minnesota Local Technical Assistance Program). Braun retired as director in 1994.
“Dick Braun influenced many transportation leaders,” says Humphrey School of Public Affairs senior fellow Robert Johns, CTS director from 2001 to 2009 and former USDOT Volpe Center director. “He gave me tremendous leeway in building the CTS research, education, and outreach programs in the late 1980s and early 1990s. I think, like me, most people who moved on to leadership positions after working for him applied the knowledge they gained from him almost on a daily basis. He was a superb strategist on how to position an organization, select and motivate a team, develop political and stakeholder support, and attract resources. I do not know any transportation career leader as politically savvy as he was.”
In 2006, CTS collaborated with the Department of Civil Engineering (now Civil, Environmental, and Geo- Engineering, or CEGE) to establish the Richard P. Braun/CTS Chair in Transportation Engineering. The purpose of the endowed faculty chair is to foster innovation in the academic program in transportation engineering.
CTS also presents the annual Richard P. Braun Distinguished Service Award in honor of Braun’s leadership and contribution to research.
CEGE professor Catherine French received the Braun Award in 2005. “I am very grateful to Dick Braun for the impact he had on my career related to my contributions to bridge engineering and infrastructure issues,” she says. “When I first came to the University of Minnesota as a faculty member in 1984, Dick helped to facilitate a relationship with MnDOT and the University with regard to research. He continued these efforts through the development of CTS in 1987. I will remember Dick for his positive ‘can do’ attitude, his ability to successfully work across both political parties throughout his career, and his drive for innovation, quick wit, genuineness, and warmth.”
Braun served as commissioner of MnDOT from 1979–86. He also held a variety of high-level positions with state and national organizations, including chair of the Twin Cities Metropolitan Airports Commission.
A celebration of Braun’s life will be held June 18 at the University of Minnesota. Memorial donations may be sent to the U of MN Foundation; Braun CTS Scholarship; P.O. Box 860266; Minneapolis, MN 55486-0266.
