Richard Gregory Brasket of Minnetonka was born June 10, 1935 in Tracy, MN to Curt J and Mary (Jenniges) Brasket. As a teenager, Richard loved hunting, filling journals of tales and sketches of his waterfowling, pheasant and Hungarian Partridge exploits. He also tracked his shotgun shells and consumption, as money was tight. He’d later parlay those analytic instincts into an amazing career.
Richard graduated from Tracy public high school (National Honor Society) in 1953 and went on to study Aerospace Engineering at the University of Minnesota, where he earned a B.S. and graduated with distinction in 1957. He was an honorary member of Sigma Gamma Tai and Tau Beta Pi. He pursued graduate studies at the U of MN in Aerospace Engineering and Mathematics. While at the U, Richard met his wife Lorraine (Thein) of Clara City, they married in 1959 and went on to raise five children in St. Louis Park and in Minnetonka.
From the U and for almost the next fifty years Richard was employed by Fluidyne Engineering Corporation (Aero Systems Engineering) in Golden Valley, becoming the Wind Tunnel Lab leader and VP in 1993 and retiring in 2005. The variety of assignments, the mathematical and technical challenges, and importance of both defense and commercial work engaged Richard – he loved his vocation.
A beautiful tenor, Richard loved to sing, and was a member of the Newman Club Choir at the U of MN as a student, then joined the church choir at Holy Family Church in St. Louis Park followed by the choir at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Minnetonka.
Richard loved helping others and volunteered for and supported a variety of organizations: He delivered meals and drove seniors to medical appointments for ICA, tutored both Hopkins High and U of M students, organized paper drives for Holy Family, monitored the water purity of Purgatory Creek for the PCA, helped on committees with IHM, and was active in the Stephen Ministries. In retirement he continued to make a visible and positive impact in the community by joining the Hopkins Police Reserve, where he served as a volunteer for almost 17 years. He loved spending time with his wife, children and grandchildren, and called them his greatest achievement in life. He is also providing a scholarship to Tracy Area High School graduates.
Richard passed away on 21 March 2024 at The Glenn in Minnetonka. Richard was preceded in death by his parents and siblings Estella, Clement, Cyril, Doris, Denis, Curt Jr., and Patricia. He spoke often of his family, and his family memories are now kept fresh by his children.
Richard is survived by his loving wife of 65 years, Lorraine (Thein) Brasket, and their children Peter (Susan) Brasket, David Brasket, Mary Brasket Brown (Don Himsl), Catherine (Dan) Taylor, Philip Brasket; by grandchildren Kristen, Jenna, Katie, Ben, Jason, Aaron, Claire, Natalie, Daniel, Adam, and 5 great-grandchildren.
The family wishes to thank all Richard’s friends and staff at The Glenn, IHM, and Park Nicollet Hospice, and special call out to those friends that nicely contrasted Richard’s introverted nature – like Steve Wolf, Tom Radziej, Frank Hoffman, Fred Zimmerman, and many others. Dad really missed his alter-ego and hunting companion – Herb Hoffman – who preceded him in death.
Mass of Christian Burial will take place on April 3, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Minnetonka. Funeral arrangements by Washburn McReavy in Hopkins.
Rest in Peace, Dad – you did well!
Note: in lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to be made to MN Adult & Teen Challenge, the Immaculate Heart of Mary Church (Minnetonka), or the Church of St Maximilian Kolbe (Delano).