Mark A. Braun

1925 - 2018

Mark A. Braun passed away peacefully on November 3rd, surrounded by his family. He was 93 years old. He was born in Athens, Wisconsin on May 18, 1925, the second son of the late Albert and Florence (Brady) Braun. He graduated from Athens High School in 1943. After three years in the US Navy flight program and undergraduate studies at Marquette University, he graduated from the Loyola University Chicago School of Law in 1949. He began his career with Klohr & Merrick, whose practice concentrated in workers compensation law. Braun focused on that field, a distinct departure from common law. His practice included issues of interpretation in the evolution of the workers compensation statute and cases leading to the codification of the principles of indemnity and contribution. Mr. Braun briefed and argued more than 45 cases in the Illinois Supreme and Appellate Courts, the Federal Court, and one before the United States Supreme Court. The issues were as diverse as the extent and effect of radiation from an underwater nuclear test, the jurisdiction of the claims of the Speck victims and the Illinois governor's rejection of the OSHA jurisdiction. He was active in the ABA and CBA, and he served as chair of the workers compensation committee for the Illinois Bar Association, the Defense Research Institute, and the Federation of Insurance and Corporate Counsel. He also served as regional vice president and lecturer at the Kent School of Law. Mark remained involved with Loyola for over 60 years, receiving their highest honor, the Medal of Excellence, in 2014. He was active in fundraising that helped move the law school from Lewis Towers to 41 East Pearson Street in 1954. He served twice as chair of the law alumni annual fund drive. In 1963-1964, he was president of the Law Alumni Association, and from 1988 to 2001 he was a member of the Law Alumni Board of Governors. For 26 years he served as adjunct professor at Loyola, teaching Statutory Liabilities. He retired from practice in 2016 at the age of 91 after 68 years of dedication to his profession. Mark brought great enthusiasm to his many interests outside the practice of law. He visited most of the fifty states and worldwide destinations with loved ones. He loved nature and the great outdoors, enjoying snowmobiling through the Wisconsin woods, rafting down Utah's Green River, and of course skiing. He started to ski in his fifties, enjoying many "runs" down the mountain with friends and family, both in Europe and Vail, Colorado. An avid golfer, he walked 18 holes at Oak Park Country Club into his 90s; knocking in a hole-in-one on #6 in 2009. Mark is survived by his 3 children - Beth of Chicago, IL; daughter Jane and son-in-law Robert Ralston of Andover, MA and his son Eric and wife Angela Lyos Braun of Sydney, Australia. He is also survived by his brother Robert of Manitowoc, WI and Sister Jeanne Marie of Merrill, WI, and many beloved nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his brother James of Wausau, WI, his brother Hugh of Milwaukee, WI, and mother of his children, Julia, of Lake Forest, Il. Mark will be laid to rest in Athens, Wisconsin alongside his parents following a private funeral mass on Saturday, November 10th. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Nature Conservatory or Loyola University Chicago School of Law. For funeral info 773-736-3833 or visit Mark's memorial at www.smithcorcoran.com