John M. Braasch
April 9, 1938 – December 31, 2021
John Michael Braasch, of Omaha, NE and formerly of Minneapolis, MN, passed away on December 31, 2021, from congestive heart failure. He was 83 years old. John grew up in Minneapolis, MN and was the son of the late Verna M and Henry F Braasch. He attended North High School in Minneapolis where he was the captain of the football and hockey teams in addition to excelling in scholastics. John received the Mercury Award for his outstanding accomplishments in athletic and scholastic achievement.
He attended the University of Minnesota where he earned a BS degree in Electrical Engineering, a MS degree in Industrial Engineering and a Ph.D in Business Management. John worked as an Assistant Professor at Case Western Reserve University while finishing his Ph.D. He held positions of senior management in strategic planning and acquisition, controllership, MIS, and financial services in Minneapolis before moving to Omaha and becoming CEO of United HealthCare of the Midlands, a position he held for 17 years before retiring in 2000.
John’s most significant business achievement was the development of an empowered organizational culture at United Health Care of the Midlands which resulted in tremendous business accomplishments and was positively impactful for the staff, both professionally and personally. The staff call it the “magical” years.
Career highlights included receiving the Better Business Bureau Integrity Award and The Tim Rouse Advocate for Women in Leadership Award (honoring a male leader in the community who embodies and supports the advancement of women).
John also served on numerous community organization boards and was very involved in his church’s activities.
He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Beverly; children, David Braasch (Julie) and Diane Lund (John); and grandchildren, Eric and Stephanie.
VISITATION: Thursday, January 6th from 5pm to 7pm at West Center Chapel. The family requests masks. MEMORIAL SERVICE: Friday, January 7th at 11am at Covenant Presbyterian Church, 15002 Blondo Street. Interment: Evergreen Memorial Park Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to the Open Door Mission, Nebraska Humane Society, or Covenant Presbyterian Church.
To view a live broadcast of the Memorial Service, please go to www.heafeyheafey.com and click the “View Live Cast” button on the home page.
4 Comments
Thoughts and prayers to John’s entire family. I still count his as the best and most inspirational leader I’ve ever worked for and with. May he rest on peace.
I left UHC in 1995 and have been working at American Express since. During my career at UHC (originally Share Health Plan) I worked for Bob who reported to John. But I had plenty of interactions with John, we played racquetball and worked on his business simulation software. John, Kathy and Bob where great leaders at UHC and I learned many lessons from them that I benefit from today. Thoughts and prayers to his family at this time.
When I first met John (1985) he asked if I knew what an HMO was? Within a few weeks we were working together at UHC in Omaha. Little did we know UHC and Share would merge and we were closed. Fast forward to 1991 and John located me in Texas and asked if I was interested in working together again! The next few years were the best of my working career. John was not only a friend, he was a great mentor. When we played tennis I think he just let me win one game in a set! He will be missed. Blessing to John’s family and hugs to Bev.
Sincerely,
Tom Evans
05-13-2023: I just read in the Univ. f Minnesota ME News that John died. John and I went to North High & the Univ. of Minnesota together. We both worked for a small electronics company (Maico Electronics) while in grad school. John was a true gentleman as well as a smart and friendly guy. I’m glad to have known him, and consider him an old friend. My condolences to Bev.
Phil Pickman ppickman@ix.netcom.com
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