IRVINGTON—Richard H. “Dick” Brautigam Jr. of Irvington passed away September 18, 2022, at Rappahannock Westminster-Canterbury (RWC), where he resided for the past 16 years. He was 89.
Brautigam, a U.S. Army veteran, was the son of Helen and R. H. Brautigam Sr. Born November 9, 1932, in Pittsburgh, Pa., he was a graduate of Sharon (Pa.) High School, where he was his senior class president. He then earned an undergraduate degree in liberal arts from Colgate University in 1955, where he was active in the Sigma Nu fraternity. He was proud of his personalized car tag “Gate 55,” which he ultimately displayed on his motorized scooter in later years at RWC.
After a long career in western Pennsylvania’s steel production industry, Brautigam retired from Miner Enterprises Inc. of Chicago, where he was a sales executive.
Brautigam moved to the Northern Neck in 1990 with his loving wife and helpmate of 45 years, Barbara (nee Mitchell). They designed and built a home on Crane’s Creek that they named Halcyon Shores, and from there sailed and explored the Chesapeake for many years. Together they enjoyed the lifestyle, variety and countless friendships they found in the area. Several of their boats were also named Halcyon, which reflected the peace and serenity that they associated with living in the Northern Neck.
Dick and Barbara were devoted members of St. Andrews Presbyterian Church, Kilmarnock. Memorial services will be conducted at RWC at 11 a.m. Saturday, October 1, followed by a private interment ceremony in the memorial garden at St. Andrews.
Brautigam is survived by two sons and two grandsons, in addition to three of Barbara’s children, her daughter-in-law, and three grandchildren.
The Brautigam family would very much like to acknowledge the dedicated, compassionate care provided to Dick during the past several years by RWCs faithful and highly professional employees. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to the RWC Foundation, 132 Lancaster Drive, Irvington, VA, 22480.
