Dr. Braun was a wonderful professor. He was tough, but he also really cared about what he was teaching. He valued answering why something was the way it was. He made learning about understanding and showed it was about discovery.

I only had him for a semester, and his class was the most painful class I ever had as an undergrad, but he was the only professor I felt connected with what I needed out of a class.

Thank you Dr. Braun for teaching me.

I am fortunate to have met Jack in 1980 during my sophomore year as a mechanical engineering student at the University of Akron.   Since then he has greatly influenced my life, but more importantly we became good friends.   He first suggested, during my senior year, that I continue my engineering education full-time – something I was not considering.  He furthermore invited me to do a thesis project with him funded by a research grant from NASA.  I accepted and went on to obtain a master’s degree.  During that time Jack went beyond teaching me engineering.  We discussed and challenged each other on many topics.  We traveled together including to Europe.  Our friendship grew.  I graduated, started my professional career in engineering remaining in the Akron area.  

Jack and I met often, typically for lunch at his favorite Primos Deli, we also had many phone discussions, and visited each others’ homes and families, and celebrated many birthdays.  Over the most recent years, these visits increased to include regular vacation trips where he invited me to stay with him and his family at his home in Longboat Key, Florida.  I so enjoyed those extended times together.

Jack, thank you our 40 years of friendship, for always being you and for being there as a close friend and mentor - sharing your life and knowledge and expanding my world.  Thank you for introducing me to your family Marina and Emma, and for re-introducing me to your colleague and friend Michelle.  

Jack and I often used Billy Crystal’s “You look mahvelous” routine on each other to get a laugh.

So Jack, between you and me,  

     "I have to admit –

     You will always look mahvelous! …

     The more I look at you, ….  the more I look at you!” 

I was sorry to hear of the passing of Dr. Braun.  My first class with him was in Thermodynamics my junior year in Mechanical Engineering.  It was a very foreign subject to me, considering that my first couple years as an ME student mostly consisted of stress analysis and the dynamics of moving objects.  Little did I know at the time, but the thermal/fluid aspects of Mechanical Engineering would become one of my favorite aspects of the field.  Dr. Braun was a big part of triggering my interest.

Dr. Braun had a talent for keeping the class involved as he taught.  He had an eye for spotting students that he thought may not have been paying attention or that looked unprepared.  Yes, I was a victim of his more than a couple of times :-).  His attention kept everyone on their toes, and the one class you didn't want to be unprepared to attend was Dr. Braun's. 

He was no nonsense in class, but very personable one on one.  If I needed help with homework assignments or didn't understand something after the day's lecture, I would stop by his office and he would go out of his way to help.  I'll never forget the afternoon after taking the Thermodynamics final exam when Dr. Braun caught me in the hallway.  He congratulated me on my test score.  I had only missed part of one problem.  He said he was disappointed that he had to mark me off for my mistake, as he knew that I knew the answer, as we had gone over a similar problem before.  It was a dumb mistake.  I still scored high on the exam, but Dr. Braun's disappointment at not being able to give me a perfect score was apparent.

His dedication to assuring his students had a firm grounding in the fundamentals was key to my interest and ability to do well in the more advanced courses in thermal/fluid systems.  He definitely had an impact on my career and I am thankful for having been his student.

Eric L Havenhill  BSME 1984
Engineer; Engine Design, Calibration and Controls;
Ford Motor Company, Ret. 2020

I have been a colleague and friend of Jack for about 26 years.  Before work-at-home became mainstream, Jack and I would work long hours at The Univ of Akron.  Sometimes Jack would stop by office and just start talking.  This was how we became friends.  As most of you reading this would agree, it is very hard to resist Jack in conversation because he was so dam interesting and knowledgeable about everything.  Jack was human encyclopedia and had an opinion on just about everything, politics, history, art, food and nutrition, ...  I will miss having good conversations with him.

Last New Year’s Eve, I remember having a conversation with Jack.  He was in a melancholy mood, reminiscing on his UA career and all the achievements he made – hundreds of publications, millions of dollars in funding for research and lab equipment, as well as his many awards and distinctions.  But the one accomplishment he was most proud of were the students he graduated and the influence he had in building their careers and characters.  For Jack, mentoring students did not just end when they graduated but was a lifelong commitment.  And so, Jack’s legacy will live forever in the lives of his students, and subsequently in the lives of people they too will impact.

Marina should know how much joy she brought to Jack when she entered his life.  Jack had been searching for someone like her for a very long time.  He was an extremely picky person.  When Marina entered Jack’s life, his smile became broader and he smiled more often.  She was his perfect companion in terms of intellect and interests, and she introduced him to a family life that he never had.  Thank-you Marina for bringing Jack the happiness he so much deserved.  Jack once told me that one of his greatest fears was dying alone.  He did not die alone; he died surrounded by a whole lot of people who loved him.  Rest in peace my friend.  You were loved and will be missed by many!

I am so saddened by this loss of a wonderful colleague and interesting man. His thoughtful words on university matters at key meetings always stimulated productive conversations. Jack and I had many deep conversations about life, culture, and politics. Running into Jack on campus was a bright spot in my day for many years. Condolences to family and friends . . . 

Dear Jack-
Your passing was unexpected and tragic, you did not deserve it.

You were an amazing son-in-law and I thank you for it. I also thank you for your love and care of Marina. We always felt safe and protected with you.

You were truly one of a kind…

Your legacy will live through your students whose lives you touched and changed forever.

You left a tremendous void in our hearts that can never be filled. RIP

Marina:  My wife Jean and I send our deepest sympathies.  We are the parents of Dr. Chris Daniels, one of Jack's students.  You may remember we met at Chris's home at a birthday party for one of Chris's children a few years ago. 
Jack was such a positive influence on Chris throughout his career at the University of Akron, serving as his teacher, his mentor and his friend. 
 I had the pleasure of talking with Jack at my laboratory in Avon Lake, and in Jack's office at the University.  He gave me advice and guidance as well.  
The conversations at Chris's home were always entertaining and interesting.  He was an absolutely brilliant man, and yet so genuine.  And, as we learned at the service last evening, he shared his time and his talent with so many students and friends.  
He will be missed greatly.  
Our daughter Deana and her husband John met with you and Jack in Sarasota, so our family is very connected to you and to Jack.  Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

Dr. and Mrs. Charles Daniels

I was deeply saddened to hear about Jack's passing.  I always enjoyed our conversations about university life and the direction of The University of Akron.

Jack,

The celebration of your life this evening was one you would have been proud of for certain. Marina  represented you with such class and dignity, and Scott definitely captured your essence beautifully along with so many others. 

You lived a full life and are the definition of what it means to make a tremendous impact on others. You changed my husband’s life and will forever be a guiding force for our entire family. I don’t throw words around like that lightly. You of all people knew this about me. :) 

Saying thank you (past or present) is not enough. I promise you that we will hold your memory close and continue to reflect on your guidance to get through each day. I’m grateful to you and now pray that you hear me. It’s always “if I could have said it one more time…” But it’s more important to live out the “thank yous”… this is now my plan.

You will be missed, Dr. Braun…

Eternal peace, 
Beth (aka Your BFFs Much Crazier Half… well… maybe not, haha) 

I became friends with Jack through my work at NASA.  Jack was a great researcher and I enjoyed our conversations, technical and otherwise.  Visits to the laboratory at U. of Akron were always interesting. While it is a shock to lose a friend, I am grateful to have known him.  May he rest in peace.  

Eugene  and me  met Jack in  Marina's home a few times.  He was a great man - very smart, hospitable and kind. We had a  greatest pleasure to meet Jack.   And we know how much  he loved Coco,  their dog, and Coco adored him. It was mutual love.
 Jack and Marina  loved each other and  that love lasted until  Jack's last day.
It is a terrible tragedy we will not meet Jack any more.  Eugene  and me are still in shock.
Rest  in peace,  dear Jack.  

My dear friend Jack,

I do remember fondly our first meeting in 1994 in Lahaina, Hawaii, at ASME-STLE Tribology Conference and our long talk sitting outside at the table in the sun. We talked for hours without noticing that the time passed … I can close my eyes and I can still see the light around the table, remember the inspiring atmosphere and the wonderful technical discussions we had, followed by your jokes and laughing …

My dear old friend Jack, over 27 years passed since I met you and last Friday you left us. I thank you for all these years! I learned to respect you and love you for the wonderful and inspiring person you are, and to admire you for your indescribable knowledge, brightness, sharpness, and honesty.  

"Our friendship is for life", as you always said to me. I do believe that life continues after this journey on Earth. I am looking forward to meeting you again in some years, my dear friend, listening to your jokes and laughing together with you again …

I love you, Jack.

Yours Ilmar


I

It was with great astonishment and great sadness that I learned of Jack's death. We are linked by many memories from all over the world, by long and passionate discussions about our profession and our origins. At different times in our young age we walked the same streets and entered the same buildings. I rediscovered with Jack a humor and stories that only we can understand.
Jack was a warm friend and a special man. I had the chance to know him and I wish we had the opportunity to spend more time together.
To Jack with my deep friendship. 

My condolences to family. 
Jack touched so many lives in the very best way, including mine.
I am grateful I got the chance to know and work with him as both a colleague and friend. 
Milorad Dzodzo


Jack was a great person. I knew him about 20 years ago while participating to conferences. His happiness and great social contact made him a friend just after a few meetings. I enjoyed his report and advices on one of the most important moment of my career, which was my “Habilitation à Diriger des Recherches”, in 2013 for which he was one of the reviewers. I remember very nice moments with him during meetings or informal diners where we often had good discussions, either scientific or personal. I had the chance to see him at least once a year and I will miss seeing him a lot in the next conferences. I send here my sincere  condolences to his family and friends and most to Marina. Warm regards, Jean

Jack has reunited with his beloved Cocochka, a.k.a. COCO.

My memories are through my Dad, Bob Hendricks. They’ve traveled, worked together, went back and forth over concepts and solutions. I knew I was in the presence of brilliant minds. Jack was always kind, smiling and engaging. 
Many prayers of peace knowing that Jack made an impact on so many in this world. May you know the love of God and may that bring you His comfort and His peace. 

The last time I saw Jack was at the airport in IAD. I was working that day and was greeting international passengers off of a late flight trying to help them make their connections. I was just about done when I saw Jack walking up another hallway. We both ran to each other and were so excited and started hugging each other and kissed each other. The other passengers must have got a kick out of us as we were both full of joy at the sight of each other.

I met Jack when he first started at Akron U, as I was in mechanical engineering, but almost done. We became fast friends and eventually did some traveling together, once to South America (Peru, Chile and Tierra del Fuego at the tip of the Cape), and also to Israel visiting his Aunt and Uncle in Tel Aviv.

As others have mentioned, he had a wonderful mind, but what I loved most about him was his compassionate heart, worldly views and best of all his great smile and crazy laugh. His whole body contorted into an infectious smile and laugh, as it did the last time we met.

We exchanged new numbers and promised to reunite again soon. I wanted to catch up more with him, but I was commuting back and forth to Ohio where my wife was so my free time was limited and then COVID came along. I figured we'd hook up sooner or later and I wanted him to meet my wife. But that opportunity has passed now.

I'll carry your memories with me now and trust that we both loved each other's presence. What a joy it was to share my time with you. Rest in peace my brother. Love you Jack.



Jack was a brilliant person, an excellent mentor, and a good friend to me. He was available for all his students (including me) when dealing with issues or needed guidance. He was a fighter and always looked for better solutions using his experience, talent, and clever ideas. I have always praised his attitude toward his students and colleagues and have learned a lot from him. He held solid principles and was willing to contribute to different projects or help others.

It is painful for me to write about Jack while we were supposed to submit a paper together on Dec. 6th, 2021. Jack had a significant role in improving my viewpoints in life and changed my life for the better. I believe that it is valid for all his students. Jack and I talked and discussed so many topics, including academic and non-academic ones. He was willing to share his life experiences with me. We always talked about our trips, family members, the world's issues, and many more topics. I am grateful for all the moments we had with each other. Jack was a special person in my life, and I will miss him dearly.

Marina,
You were his genuine joy in life. He always admired you, and I am sure it is hard for you to miss his physical presence in this world. My condolences to you and your family.

Rest in peace, dear Dr. Braun. It was a pleasure working with you. Until I meet you and Coco again, I always remember you.

Many remember Jack as a professor or as a colleague at work, but I have lost a friend I met for the first time during our first day of elementary school in 1954. As time went by, the school first dropped the elementary and later the junior high classes, but we were always a step ahead and finished high school together in 1965.
The reason I bring up such old memories is because personalities change little in time and I can testify that his personality  remained unchanged until his last day. He had integrity and intellectual honesty even as a child and nobody instructed him to be that way. Part of the education process in Communist Romania was to teach children from an early age that voting was a sort of a joke; we were asked to vote for all sorts of irrelevant issues, the idea being to teach us obedience and more than once, we were ordered to repeat the vote as we had been instructed. It may sound funny, but it took courage from a kid to disobey such instructions and he did it.  
It is never easy to have integrity but he did it as an educator, in an environment that sorely needs people such as Prof. Jack Braun.
Marina, we are so sorry for your loss,
Erwin & Vera

Jack was passionate about making this world a better place.  He faced many challenges, head on, and was a very good friend to those in need.  

To Jack from Bob Veillette 
To a true Professor, a teacher, mentor, and friend to many students & colleagues, a man whose insistence on excellence has made a better University and better World.

From: Avraam Isayev: I enjoyed many interactions with you and visits of your laboratory displaying top notch experiments on NASA and other projects. I am sure it is not easy to say bye-bye to the scientific instruments and computational tools that you developed. 

Dr. Minel “Jack” Braun, distinguished professor of mechanical engineering, work , contributed to SpaceX launch.

Dr. Braun was often asked to consult with industry on engineering projects, and worked with companies such as Timken, Babcock Wilcox, Rocketdyne, and Evenflo in this capacity.

The many papers he published with NASA, that are not classified,  can be found at: https://ntrs.nasa.gov/search?q=braun,%20jack
Titles include:
- A qualitative and quantitative laser-based computer-aided flow visualization method
- Three Dimensional Flow and Pressure Patterns in a Single Pocket of a Hydrostatic Journal Bearing
- Three Dimensional Flow and Pressure Patterns in a Hydrostatic Journal Bearing
- Seals research at the University of Akron
- Continued Evaluation of The Hybrid Floating Brush Seal (HFBS)
- Two-Dimensional Dynamic Simulation of a Continuous Foil Bearing
- Numerical Simulation of Flow, Pressure and Motion of Front Back Fingers in a Two Rows Finger Seal
- Non-Contacting Finger Seal Developments and Design Considerations

I had known Jack for over 25 years at the University.  We sometimes gave each other a hard time about the business side vs. the research side of grants.  We learned to value each others opinion.  Jack always made it interesting.  We oft had conversations about the University. 

I know he valued his students tremendously, and led them to enrich their knowledge and lives.

My deepest sympathies to his family and friends.  God Bless.


Dear Marina,
I was just one of many students that Jack taught, but I, like many of his students, knew him as both a mentor and a friend.  Jack took so much pride in being there for all of his students, academically and personally.  Today, I had planned to meet with him at 6PM to extend an invitation to my wedding.  It saddens me that I will never get to hand that invitation to him. 

Jack truly changed my life for the better, and I am sure that is true for hundreds of his other students.  I can honestly say that I do not know where I would be without him.  His love of the subject matter that he teaches inspired me to work harder and reach higher.

It was so wonderful to have you over for dinner last year, and I am so happy that I was able to spend that time with the two of you, together.  Far too soon Jack joins his beloved Coco in whatever existence occurs beyond this plane, and leaves other loved ones behind.  Until you reunite, please remember the good times that he has given us all.  

Pictured: The very cute Coco!

I knew Jack, first when I was a student in graduate school, and second as a colleague.  I had many good discussions with Jack over research topics including fluid flows through beds of solid particles and heat transfer.  I sat on many of his student committees and he sat on a number of committees for my students.  He was a valued colleague and I will miss him very much.

Since graduating from the University of Akron in 1985, Jack and I stayed in touch.  If it wasn't for Jack, I would probably never graduated.  Proverbs 27:5-6 says:  Open rebuke is better than secret love.  Faithful are the wounds of a friend......

Jack cared enough to tell me the truth when I didn't necessarily want to hear it.  He cared for his students, pulled no punches, and wanted nothing but the best for them.  He will be missed!!

Dear Marina,

As you know Jack has been my dedicated friend. We constantly cared for each other’s well being. I can still vividly remember our conversation last Tuesday night, followed by another cheerful call on Wednesday morning. I just cannot comprehend what has transpired. His impact on our family will never be forgotten.

   On the scientific side, Jack was a leader! He guided so many doctoral students who attained great positions in their lives. Even now he was guiding two more students and worked out some hard calculations involving special functions for a class of heat transfer problems. I was impressed with his ability at his age! He was always full of enlightenment, and was looking forward to enjoying all aspects of his life.

   Jack was also engaged in defending the rights of the faculty. He consistently challenged the university administration to improve the environment for research and academics, and they respected his views.  He was a mentor for many young and old faculty alike. He was there to help many.

May God bless him and be with him in a new life!


Jack Braun (born Minel Negreanu in Bucarest, Romania) was my first cousin, son of my father's younger brother (Jack Negreanu). We share many childhood memories in Bucarest, of family and holiday reunions, annual hikes in the Carpathian Mountains and difficult life as Jews under the Communist regime. Though I emigrated to  Israel and he to Germany, we resumed contact in the US, when he studied for his PhD in Mechanical Engineering at Carnegie Mellon and  I was already a postdoc at MIT. We stayed in touch over the years mostly by phone and email and some in person visits, sharing family news, our mutual love of art and of travel. Jack loved talking to my professor husband Ken, sharing the trials and tribulations of academic life. We visited him twice in Long Boat Key, where we walked on the beach and enjoyed Sarasota artists and restaurants. So many good memories will linger and be treasured, though we will feel his loss... 

Dear Marina,

Please accept my deepest sympathy and condolences for the heavy loss you suffered. 

I have known Jack for quite a long time, at least since 1994 during the IJTC ASME/STLE Conference in Maui (Hawaii) and I considered him an excellent friend. I still remember of my stay in Ohio in September/October 1995, visiting his Lab and discussing a longtime on research projects, staying close his test rigs that he was proud them. 
More than a colleague, we lose a friend we loved to meet anytime and anywhere around the world. From a professional point of view, we are losing an extraordinary researcher, an expert of fluid Mechanics, turbulence and cavitation in bearings and also an expert in sealing: from every meeting and every discussion, we learned new information and get more experience in these domains. Every time we met, we enjoyed discussing about his new genius ideas. It was also a great pleasure to exchange Jack when he was writing several chapters of the Encyclopedia of Tribology, about ten years ago! I will never forget the excellent times during the numerous STLE Annual Meetings including the nice lunches and dinners shared with him and other colleagues and friends.

I am truly saddened by his passing and the loss of my friend.

Wishing you all the best in this moment of terrible tragedy.

God bless you and your family,

Michel Fillon


I am truly saddened by Jack's passing and send my condolences to his family and friends.  Jack believed in me as an undergraduate student and I was honored to complete my Masters degree with him as my advisor that changed my life.   Jack's principles and constant thirst for knowledge were inspiring and will be missed.   I feel fortunate to have known and worked with him and will plan to contribute to the scholarship that will be established in his honor.  

Jack was my "self-appointed" unofficial mentor at my first job at UA.  More importantly, he was a dear friend.  I will always cherish the moments we spent with each other in and out of the office.  There was never a dull moment with him.  He was filled with ideas and opinions and it was hard to tire off his company.  It feels surreal to write about him in this manner.   Rest in Peace my dear dear friend.  Hope to see you in another "continuum."  My heartfelt condolences to the family and his loved ones.

Jack was the love of my life and my rock. We both felt so blessed that we found each other and loved each other. There is such a void and a senseless feeling of loss in my heart, it is impossible to describe the pain and the emptiness. You will always be missed and you always will be loved. You have reunited with you parents and Coco. I will always miss you, you were one in a million. God does not take bad people early, only the best. RIP my love

Jack's sudden passing is devastating news. He was an exceptional man, principled and wise. We were fortunate to have him as a neighbor and a friend, and will miss him dearly. Please accept our sincere condolences.  

Jack touched our lives with his stories and his great wisdom. Although we hadn’t known him very long, we felt as though we had always known him. We anticipated many more memories together as friends and neighbors on LBK. 

Our family maintained a true friendship with Jack for 41 years. He has been very supportive of us since 1980, we will never forget that.
Celal Batur

28 Nov 2021
Marina, we all share in your loss of Jack. He was a Giant in his personal life and his professional life.

 I never hesitated to say God Bless You or Many Prayers, Thoughts and Blessings or discuss ANYTHING with Jack, personal, public, past, present, or future, professional etc., we seemed to just fall into things like we had never been apart and truthfully, in Spirit, we never were, or will be. 

We worked together, wrote many papers together, traveled together and even with Dr. Robert Mullen in EU and many times in Hawaii, we enjoyed conferences and recovered on Maui. 

So, I do not expect anything different, Jack has just changed his address and his Spirit now watches over us all.
Have faith, believe ... be joyful we had a here and now relation for many, many years, and now we do in Spirit.

Pass your faith and Jack’s faith and achievements on to your children that they too will have such great memories and spiritual connections when we are joined again in God's Kingdom with all our loved ones,
agape
bob
Robert C. Hendricks


OBITUARY

Dr. Jack Braun

October 7, 1947 – November 26, 2021

Berkowitz-Kumin-Bookatz Memorial Chapel

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