Ralph Braun
BornDecember 18, 1940
DiedFebruary 8, 2013
Occupation(s)Founder and CEO of the Braun Corporation
Websitehttps://www.braunability.com/us/en.html

Ralph William Braun (December 18, 1940 – February 8, 2013[1]) was the founder and CEO of the Braun Corporation.[2][3][4] He is also known as the "Father of the Mobility Movement" at BraunAbility.[5]

Early life

Braun was born and raised in Winamac, Indiana. When he was six years old, doctors diagnosed him with muscular dystrophy. He started using a wheelchair at the age of 14. At the age of 15, he created a motorized wagon with his father to help him get around. Five years later, Braun created a motorized scooter, which he called the Tri-Wheeler, using various parts from his cousin’s farm. Ralph rode the Tri-Wheeler to and from his day job as a Quality Control Manager for a nearby manufacturer. When the facility moved several miles away, he equipped an old mail carrier Jeep with hand controls and a hydraulic tailgate lift, enabling him to drive his Tri-Wheeler in and out of the vehicle unassisted.

In 1970, Dodge introduced the first full-sized, front engine van. Braun retrofitted a Dodge van with a lift and called this new invention the “Lift-A-Way” wheelchair lift. When word spread about this new invention, Braun assembled a team to help fill orders across the nation, all from his parents’ garage. As demand increased, Braun decided to quit his full-time job to focus on his part-time business.

Career

Braun "Entervan" conversion of a 1998-2000 Chrysler Town & Country

Braun started "Save-A-Step" manufacturing in 1963 to build the first motorized scooter, made from "a lawnmower differential, four big wheelbarrow tires, two 6-volt automotive batteries, makeshift wiring and switches I got from the hardware store, a kitchen chair, and a motor from a 1957 Pontiac kid's car that I rescued from a mortician's trash bin".[6] In 1966 Braun created the first wheelchair accessible vehicle, by creating a wheelchair platform lift and hand controls that were added to an old Post Office Jeep.[6] In 1970, Ralph added wheelchair platform lifts to full-sized vans. "Save-A-Step" was incorporated under a new name, The Braun Corporation, in 1972.

In 1991, Braun introduced its first wheelchair accessible minivan, based on the Dodge Caravan and called the Entervan.[7] In 1999, Braun acquired Crow River Industries, a specialized manufacturer of wheelchair platform lifts. In 2005, Braun acquired IMS of Farmington, NM, a specialized manufacturer of Toyota Sienna wheelchair accessible minivans. In 2006, the Braun Corporation adopted the brand name, BraunAbility, for its personal-use products. In 2011, the Braun Corporation acquired partial ownership in AutoAdapt, a European mobility company. In 2011, the Braun Corporation also acquired Viewpoint Mobility, a small Michigan-based company that specializes in the wheelchair accessible minivans with rear entry.

In May 2012, Braun was named a "champion of change" by U.S. President Barack Obama.[8]

Personal life

Braun was a father of five adult children. He ran the Braun Corporation from his hometown of Winamac, Indiana with his wife, Melody until his death in 2013.[8]

Braun and his son Todd were owners of the NASCAR racing team, Braun Racing.

Braun was the grandfather of NASCAR Cup Series driver Justin Haley.[9]

Braun died in Pulaski County, Indiana.

References

  1. ↑ "Ralph William Braun Obituary: View Ralph Braun's Obituary by South Bend Tribune". Legacy.com. Retrieved 2013-02-13.
  2. ↑
  3. ↑ "How I Did It: Ralph Braun of BraunAbility". Inc.com. 2009-12-01. Retrieved 2013-02-13.
  4. ↑ Braun, Ralph (2010). Rise Above. The Braun Corporation. ISBN 0-9843380-0-4.
  5. ↑ "Our Founder". BraunAbility. Retrieved 2021-12-03.
  6. 1 2 "Braun Created the 1st Accessible Vehicle". BraunAbility. Retrieved 2021-12-03.
  7. ↑ "Search Results". BraunAbility. Retrieved 2021-12-03.
  8. 1 2 "Ralph braun". The White House. Retrieved 2021-12-03.
  9. ↑ "Ralph William Braun Obituary: View Ralph Braun's Obituary by South Bend Tribune". Legacy.com. Retrieved 2022-10-07.
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