Richard "Dick" J. Brachman II
October 30, 1951 - May 13, 2022
Obituary
MADISON - Richard J. Brachman II joined other beloved members of his family in heaven on Friday, May 13, 2022.
Dick was born at Madison General Hospital on Oct. 30, 1951, the son of Richard J. Brachman Sr. and Joan K. Brachman (nee Harrington). A proud lifelong Madison resident for all but a few years of his life, Dick graduated from Madison West High School and the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1974, where he was "an undistinguished member” of the UW wrestling team.
The best day in Dick's life was the first day of classes his junior year at UW, the day he met a cute coed named Connie TenHaken. Dick and Connie were married on May 14, 1977, and they enjoyed a great life together in Madison raising their two children, R.J. and Samantha, attending many high school musicals, cross country meets, wresting duals and tournaments and lacrosse games and, of course, cheering on the Badgers with many family trips to bowl games all over the country. Spending time with family (immediate and extended) and close friends meant the world to Dick.
Dick's entire professional career was in the financial service industry, holding senior management positions with Rural Mutual Insurance Company, Community Banks, Inc., Valley Bancorporation and for 15 years, his own consulting firm, The Brachman Group. After selling his consulting firm in 2009, Dick was chairman of Town Bank's Madison market until his retirement in 2017. Dick was on the boards of Insurance Services, Inc., Appleton, Wis.; Community Life Insurance Company, Phoenix, Ariz.; UW Alumni Club of Madison (president); Wisconsin Alumni Association; Wisconsin Memorial Union; Mendota Gridiron Club (president); Catholic Charities of Madison (board chairman) and Catholic Diocese of Madison Foundation.
Dick is survived by his wife, Connie; daughter, Samantha Brachman (Eric Maruca); son, Richard J. Brachman III; sister, Darcy Brachman-Pucci; and many beloved members of the Brachman, Harrington and TenHaken families. Dick was preceded in death by his parents; mother and father-in-law, Marilyn and Gerald TenHaken; brother-in-law, Mark Pucci; and many beloved aunts and uncles.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at ST. BERNARD CATHOLIC CHURCH, 7450 University Ave., Middleton, at 11 a.m. on Thursday, May 19, 2022, with Father Brian Wilk presiding. Burial will be held at Resurrection Cemetery. A visitation will be held at Gunderson WEST Funeral And Cremation Care, 7435 University Ave., Middleton, on Wednesday, May 18, 2022, from 5 p.m. until 7p.m. and at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of the Mass on Thursday.
The family would like to thank the staff at UW Carbone Cancer Center, especially Dr. Ian Robins, Dr. Steven Howard and Theresa Ruszkiewicz who helped us on the journey as well as the caring staff at Agrace HospiceCare.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be gifted in Dick’s name to UW Carbone Cancer Center, Agrace HospiceCare, St. Bernard Catholic Church, or Catholic Diocese of Madison Foundation (CDMF). Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.
Gunderson West
Funeral & Cremation Care
7435 University Ave.
(608) 831-6761