Harold "Hal" Brauner

Harold (Hal) Fred Brauner, 84, of Corvallis, Oregon, died at home on December 17, 2023. Hal was born April 11, 1939 to Edwin Henry Brauner and Martha Mathilda Leder Brauner in Eugene, Oregon. He was the third of five sons. Hal went to school through his junior year of High School in Eugene, Oregon. He graduated from Roosevelt High School in Portland where he attended his senior year. He went to Clark Community College in Vancouver, Washington on a baseball scholarship, and then transferred to the University of Oregon in Eugene, where he graduated with a BA degree in Political Science in 1963. While schooling, Hal also worked at Guistina Bros. Veneer Plant and in his father-in-law’s carpentry business. Hal married Helene Froehlich in 1959 in Eugene. They had three children, Mike, Debi, and Steve. The family enjoyed camping, fishing, and boating with extended family and friends. Hal worked briefly in San Francisco before he got a job offer from the State of Oregon in 1963 as a budget analyst. He enjoyed his work during Governor Tom McCall’s tenure and considered him a mentor. Hal prepared budgets, carrying them before the Ways and Means Committee and did management studies in the Natural Resources/Transportation group of agencies. He was especially proud of his work on the Bottle Bill, the Beach Bill, and Senate Bill 100 Land Use legislation. Hal was appointed Director of Land Conservation and Development Commission (LCDC) from 1975 to 1978. His next job was County Administrative Officer for Marion Co. 1978 to 1980. He also volunteered on the Salem School Board. In 1980, Hal was hired as Director of Business Services at Corvallis School District, moving to Corvallis in 1983. Helene and Hal parted ways in 1983. He kept busy in many professional and volunteer boards including Oregon Association of School Business Officials, United Way, Kiwanis, Benton County Schools Credit Union, Benton County Library Foundation, Grace Lutheran Church, and was active politically in fundraising measures supporting schools and community. Hal officially retired as business director in 1994, but continued to serve on a part time basis in various ways for CSD until 1998. Hal was a lifetime sports enthusiast: he played baseball, basketball, football and wrestled during his school days. Later, he enjoyed waterskiing, snow skiing, softball, bowling and golf. Hal married Lida Tappan in 1987. They had two children, Kevin and Sarah. Hal was a fan at their various sporting events, coached Sarah’s team in soccer, and assisted Kevin’s team in downhill ski racing. In retirement, Hal served on the Corvallis City Council from 2001 to 2018 and continued his interest in education, land use, and transit: serving on the Linn Benton Lincoln ESD Board, the Corvallis Metropolitan Planning Organization, and the Statewide Transportation Improvement Fund Advisory Committee. Hal was predeceased by both of his parents, brothers Ken, Ray and Don, and daughter-in-law Ramona. He is survived by his brother Ed, ex-wife Helene, and his five children: Mike, Debi (and husband Sean) Davis, Steve (and wife Wendi), Kevin, and Sarah, also grandchildren Luke and Allie Davis, and his wife Lida. A Memorial Service will be held at Grace Lutheran Church in Corvallis on January 20th at 10 AM. Please leave your thoughts and memories at www.mchenryfuneralhome.com.

Tributes

Harold "Hal" Brauner

April 11, 1939 - December 17, 2023