Obituary for Richard A. "Dick" Braucher
Richard (Dick) Allen Braucher, 74, of Centre Township, passed away on April 13, 2021 in Penn State Health St. Joseph Medical Center. He was married to the love of his life, Karen L. Braucher (Wengert) on August 16,1969 and recently celebrated 51 years of marriage. Born in Allentown PA, Richard was the son of Allen R. and Verna M. Braucher. Dick worked at the Hamburg Center in the recreation department and eventually became a unit manager at the facility. His love was working with the clients.
Dick graduated from Kutztown Area High School in 1965. He was an outstanding athlete coached by legendary John Silan. He was selected his senior year for the prestigious PARADE MAGAZINE High School All American 1st team. He played on 4 Berks County Championship teams during his high school career. He was All Berks County 1st team in baseball and basketball his sophomore, junior and senior years. He also was All Berks County in soccer his sophomore and junior years but did not play soccer his senior year…Coach’s order! Among his awards were being selected to the United Press International Little All State Basketball 1st team his junior and senior years, was 1965 Pennsylvania High School Mr. Basketball and received the Jack Flowers Memorial Award. His career 1,668 points is still 15th on the top scoring list in Berks County and 2nd in KAHS history…and there were no 3-pointers then! He is a member of the Kutztown Area High School Athletic Hall of Fame as well as the Cougar Tale. He was thrilled to be honored by his classmates with a banner they had made to hang in the John Silan Gymnasium honoring his accomplishments for KAHS.
Dick selected North Carolina State University for his collegiate career. Recruited by Press Maravich, Dick was to play with Pistol Pete Maravich which never materialized. He had a 5-year fully-paid scholarship to play basketball and loved his career at NC State. He was a 3 year Varsity starter as point guard and co-captain his senior year. Dick graduated with a degree in Recreation and Parks Administration. One of the highlights of his career was NC State’s infamous win over Duke in the1968 ACC Tournament semi-finals with a final score of 12 to 10, with Dick scoring the final 3 points to clinch the win. He was awarded the Everett Case Memorial Sportsmanship Award his senior year.
Dick also played basketball with the Exeter Black Knights 1969-1972 in the Mid-Atlantic Amateur Basketball League, winning the National Amateur Basketball Association Championship in 1970. He also played with Beiber Bus in the in the Reading City League 1972-1974 winning the City League Championship title both seasons and Kroninger Tire in the Reading City League 1974-1977.
Dick was inducted into the Berks County Chapter of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame in 1985. His other accolades are: READING EAGLE 20th Century Best of Berks Boys Basketball No.4 (tie), READING EAGLE 20th Century Best of Berks Baseball Team of the 1960’s - Outfield, READING EAGLE Sports Headliners for All Time and Honorary Life Member Reading & Berks Basketball Old-Timers. Dick was a member of the inaugural Class of 2008 to the Berks County Basketball Hall of Fame. Dick also had the honor of being Coach John Silan’s assistant boys basketball coach for two years at KAHS, the 1985-1986 and 1986-1987 seasons.
In addition to his wife Karen, Richard is survived by his brother-in-law, M. William Wengert, Jr. and his wife Caroline Wengert, nephew Michael Wengert and niece Katie Harmon and their families all of Green River WY.
A viewing will be held Sunday, April 18th, at Leibensperger Funeral Homes, Inc. 223 Peach Street, Leesport from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Social distancing and masks required. Richard requested that casual clothes be worn…jeans and a golf shirt, his usual attire! He will be buried at Frieden's Church, Shartlesville where he is a member. Burial will be at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the KASD Education Foundation, 251 Long Lane, Kutztown, PA in memory of Richard Braucher. For online condolences, please visit. www.leibenspergerfuneralhomes.com.
Dick graduated from Kutztown Area High School in 1965. He was an outstanding athlete coached by legendary John Silan. He was selected his senior year for the prestigious PARADE MAGAZINE High School All American 1st team. He played on 4 Berks County Championship teams during his high school career. He was All Berks County 1st team in baseball and basketball his sophomore, junior and senior years. He also was All Berks County in soccer his sophomore and junior years but did not play soccer his senior year…Coach’s order! Among his awards were being selected to the United Press International Little All State Basketball 1st team his junior and senior years, was 1965 Pennsylvania High School Mr. Basketball and received the Jack Flowers Memorial Award. His career 1,668 points is still 15th on the top scoring list in Berks County and 2nd in KAHS history…and there were no 3-pointers then! He is a member of the Kutztown Area High School Athletic Hall of Fame as well as the Cougar Tale. He was thrilled to be honored by his classmates with a banner they had made to hang in the John Silan Gymnasium honoring his accomplishments for KAHS.
Dick selected North Carolina State University for his collegiate career. Recruited by Press Maravich, Dick was to play with Pistol Pete Maravich which never materialized. He had a 5-year fully-paid scholarship to play basketball and loved his career at NC State. He was a 3 year Varsity starter as point guard and co-captain his senior year. Dick graduated with a degree in Recreation and Parks Administration. One of the highlights of his career was NC State’s infamous win over Duke in the1968 ACC Tournament semi-finals with a final score of 12 to 10, with Dick scoring the final 3 points to clinch the win. He was awarded the Everett Case Memorial Sportsmanship Award his senior year.
Dick also played basketball with the Exeter Black Knights 1969-1972 in the Mid-Atlantic Amateur Basketball League, winning the National Amateur Basketball Association Championship in 1970. He also played with Beiber Bus in the in the Reading City League 1972-1974 winning the City League Championship title both seasons and Kroninger Tire in the Reading City League 1974-1977.
Dick was inducted into the Berks County Chapter of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame in 1985. His other accolades are: READING EAGLE 20th Century Best of Berks Boys Basketball No.4 (tie), READING EAGLE 20th Century Best of Berks Baseball Team of the 1960’s - Outfield, READING EAGLE Sports Headliners for All Time and Honorary Life Member Reading & Berks Basketball Old-Timers. Dick was a member of the inaugural Class of 2008 to the Berks County Basketball Hall of Fame. Dick also had the honor of being Coach John Silan’s assistant boys basketball coach for two years at KAHS, the 1985-1986 and 1986-1987 seasons.
In addition to his wife Karen, Richard is survived by his brother-in-law, M. William Wengert, Jr. and his wife Caroline Wengert, nephew Michael Wengert and niece Katie Harmon and their families all of Green River WY.
A viewing will be held Sunday, April 18th, at Leibensperger Funeral Homes, Inc. 223 Peach Street, Leesport from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Social distancing and masks required. Richard requested that casual clothes be worn…jeans and a golf shirt, his usual attire! He will be buried at Frieden's Church, Shartlesville where he is a member. Burial will be at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the KASD Education Foundation, 251 Long Lane, Kutztown, PA in memory of Richard Braucher. For online condolences, please visit. www.leibenspergerfuneralhomes.com.