A popular Winamac Community High School athlete who was murdered earlier this year will be forever remembered at his alma mater. Cord Colgrove played soccer and baseball at Winamac Community High School. After his March murder in rural North Judson, Colgrove’s family asked that memorial contributions be directed to the Winamac Community High School Athletic Department. Continue reading
Pulaski County’s largest and most expensive home is on the market. It was built in 1998 for Braun Corporation founder Ralph Braun, who died in February of 2013. The home sits on a 40 acre property just south of Winamac and features nearly 16,000 feet of living space. Indianapolis-based Encore Sotheby’s International is handling the listing. Continue reading
Employees of the Winamac-based Braun Corporation have a day off to pay their respects to the company’s founder and CEO. Ralph Braun, 72, died last Friday.
Braun built his first three-wheeled scooter in 1962 to overcome his mobility challenges brought on by a childhood illness. In 1972 he founded The Braun Corporation, which manufactures a full line of mobility products and employs more than 800 people. BraunAbility employees are wearing blue ribbons in memory of Ralph Braun. His funeral visitation is today from 11 a.m. until 8 p.m. Eastern at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Winamac. Braun’s funeral mass is tomorrow at noon at the church, followed by entombment at St. Peter’s Cemetery in Winamac. His family encourages anyone who would like to pay tribute to his legacy and help make mobility affordable for people who need a little extra support to donate to the Ralph Braun Foundation. Visit www.ralphbraunfoundation.org for more information.
Ralph William Braun, founder and CEO of The Braun Corporation, passed away Friday, Feb. 8, 2013 in Winamac. He was 72.
Born on Dec. 18, 1940 in Winamac, he was the son of Joseph J. and Olive M. Braun. He was a pioneer in the mobility industry, after struggling with SMA from a young age. Out of a need to improve his own mobility, Braun built his first three-wheel scooter in 1962. Realizing that there were many others like him, he started his own company, Save-A-Step Manufacturing, in 1963. It eventually grew into The Braun Corporation, which was incorporated in 1972. What began as a solution to his own mobility needs grew to a company that would eventually change thousands of lives. In 2006, The Braun Corporation adopted the brand name, BraunAbility for its products. Today his company has grown into a world-wide corporation, with its headquarters still based in Winamac.
In 2010, Ralph Braun released his autobiography, Rise Above. He then started The Ralph Braun Foundation as a way to assist the disabled population with purchasing mobility equipment. As a recipient of many awards and honors, Braun’s recognition began in 1979 when he received the Employer of the Year Award from the Commission for the Handicapped and the Indiana State Board of Health. Since that time, he has been featured on television and in many newspaper and magazine articles for his success and drive to improve the lives of others with disabilities. In 2012 he was recognized as a “Champion of Change” by President Barack Obama. Braun was also honored with the Support of the Guard and Reserves Patriot Award for his dedicated support and flexibility offered to employees serving in the military. Braun’s most recent award was a bronze plaque from the Adaptive Driving Alliance for being the leader and pioneer for mobility products. Continue reading
