Robert Clark Branen, 76, died July 23, 2009, in Richmond, Va.
He was born Feb. 24, 1933, in Wilder, Idaho, to parents Robert W. and Sheila Correne Hand Branen. He attended elementary schools in Richfield (North End School and Richfield Elementary), Melba, Greenleaf, and Maple Grove (Boise). He attended Franklin High School in Boise and Wilder High School, as well as The College of Idaho.
He was preceded in death by his parents Robert and Sheila Hand, his stepmother Clara Branen, and sister Ethel Willingham. He is survived by his wife of 28 years; aunts Myra Branen (Wilder) and Shirley Hand Flavel (Kuna); brothers William Branen (Joan) of Cerritos, Calif., Glenn Branen (Joann) of Richfield, Tom Branen (Carol) of Homedale, and Jon Branen (Debra) of Nampa. Though he fathered no children of his own, he had a special bond with his nephews RC Willingham of Florida, Timothy Branen of Coeur D' Alene, Chris Brockel of California, and Steve Brockel of California, and his nieces Correne Branen Vert of Bellevue and Karla Branen of Thousand Oaks, Calif.
Robert served in the U.S. Navy and the Reserves until his retirement. During the '70s, he lived several years in Ketchum, Idaho, where he was close to his brother Glenn and his family and was employed by Speedy Bee/Sun Valley Transfer and Storage. He developed many lasting friendships there. He loved the beauty of God's creation and spent his weekends hiking and camping with his family and the Sawtooth Roamers in his favorite Sawtooth Mountains, which he came back to visit as often as he could.
After marrying Faye in Jacksonville, Fla., in 1981, they moved to Wicomico, Va. There, Robert worked until his second retirement from Carter Lumber Co. He was a member of Gloucester Point Baptist Church, where he served as deacon and church librarian. He also participated in the church's mission trips and seniors' "morning out." He took great pleasure in his garden growing roses. He was an avid reader and loved the challenge of puzzles and pinochle.
A Celebration of Life service will be held Saturday, Aug. 8, at Gloucester Point Baptist Church. In memory of Robert, memorial contributions can be given to Gloucester-Mathews Humane Society, P.O. Box 385, Gloucester, VA 23061 or Gloucester Point Baptist Church, P.O. Box 305. Gloucester, VA 23062.
