Braden Quinn Bruington

Braden Quinn Bruington, 33, of Madison, passed away on Monday, November 14, 2016. He was born in Aspen, Colorado on Sept. 25, 1983, the son of Valerie (Sweanor) and George Bruington, on a beautiful, golden, fall day. He married Bree (Buerkle) Bruington, November 1, 2008, in St. Paul, Minn., and they celebrated the arrival of their vibrant daughter, Arden Mackenzie in 2013. He is a beloved son, husband, and father, and beloved by all of his extended family. He was preceded in death by his maternal grandmother, Joan Sweanor; paternal grandfather, Robert Bruington; and cousin, Derrik Lesnick. Growing up in the Roaring Fork Valley, Braden enjoyed snowboarding, playing basketball and being involved in the Boy Scouts, which helped build his compassionate character. He enjoyed boating with his parents and friends and was an avid wake boarder...once surprisingly showing off his style, just to impress his fiancé-to-be. Braden graduated from Basalt High School in 2002. By Middle School, he was demonstrating his genius for all things technological, acquiring many self-taught skills and sharing his gifts with family, friends, teachers, and fellow students (and their parents!) A hint of his technical talent was apparent, when, at the young age of 6, he skillfully assisted a technician trouble-shoot the set-up of a new entertainment system. During his junior and senior years of high school, Braden focused his talents in a film festival formed by fellow students, creating unique and diverse short films about subjects that didn't involve skiing! His love of travel – throughout the states, Canada, Mexico and Europe, continued long after the years he was forced to tag along with his parents. Braden went on to earn a BA from Syracuse University, Newhouse School of Public Communications, 2006 and an MBA from Wisconsin School of Business, 2011. An internship with Yahoo! In Santa Monica, California during 2010 was a highlight of his graduate program. A colleague confided that "Braden was not a typical MBA student. He was more earnest, more principled. Quieter. When Braden spoke, you wanted to hear what he had to say". Braden was an impeccable writer and charismatic instructor. He held two positions at the University of Wisconsin, the first as a technical trainer and consultant, the second as a communications and technology consultant. In both roles he enjoyed working with and helping university faculty, staff and students of all abilities. He was one of the founding members of Ronin Studios and Consulting, a start-up that developed learning games for businesses. He started his own freelance IT and marketing site, Neverdark LLC, where he got great satisfaction helping start-ups succeed. He was fascinated by other people's ingenuity and contributed to many Kick-Starters. Braden cared for his large-extended family and shared his love and talents with all. One of his great joys was making up stories with his daughter, Arden. Family was very important to him. When there was a technical problem, he was there in a heartbeat, using his level-headed approach to fix the problem and sooth the frazzled nerves of the technically challenged. Though he had no siblings, he loved all his cousins, aunts, uncles, grandparents and in-laws, and spent many vacations where he could be with them. His friends, who meant so much to him, have shared many wonderful stories of their times together. Braden enjoyed deep discussions about world issues, though his concerns about the future weighed heavily on his gentle nature. We welcome all to celebrate his life and keep him close to your hearts. We all have fond memories of Braden, and our love for him is everlasting. He will be deeply and sorely missed. A Celebration of Braden's life will be held at the CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST LATTER-day SAINTS, 55 Moore Dr., Aspen, CO 81611, from 3 p.m. until 5 p.m., on Sunday, Dec. 11, 2016. In lieu of flowers: Contributions to the Braden Q. Bruington Basalt High School Scholarship fund, Aspen Community Foundation. Email alicia@aspencommunityfoundation.org or mail to 110 East Hallam St. Suite #126, Aspen, CO 81611. Note: Braden Q Bruington High School Scholarship fund. Or Contributions can be made to benefit Braden and Bree's daughter at any Alpine Bank by submitting to "Benefit fund of George and Valerie Bruington".