Norman Braasch

Norman L. Braasch, 87, of Cape Girardeau died Thursday, June 30, 2016, at Southeast Hospital.

He was born July 29, 1928 in Norfolk, Nebraska, to Alfred and Marie Kortje Braasch. He and Kathryn Garrett were married Aug. 6, 1953, in Lincoln, Nebraska. She passed away in December 1993.

Braasch was a professor at Southeast Missouri State University, joining the biology department in September 1963. He retired in June 1994. In addition to his work in the classroom, he also held the position of pre-dental and pre-medical adviser to many students. He was interested in each of his students’ whole learning experience, not just the science of his profession. That being said, he was an expert in wood-boring wasps and bees of the Southeast Missouri region, although he always was eager to “discourage” carpenter bees drilling into his house.

He had a deep love of learning and books, and a dedication to enhancing the university library holdings with items he would recommend to students and faculty. He read anything he could get his hands on and had a keen appreciation for literature and the written word.

Norman also was a cultured man. He loved cooking, eating and sharing good wine with his family and friends, trying new recipes and learning more about food. Occasionally, he would bring food to class to let students see how zoological subject matter interacted with everyday life. He loved classical music — symphonic, opera and ballet ­— and traveled the world from his humble beginnings growing up on the family farm in Nebraska to the Netherlands, Spain, Australia and beyond.

Although he had a small family, it was one filled with nothing but love. Our Po was a great storyteller and conversationalist with a sharp wit and a dry, devious sense of humor. But more importantly, he was always kind and good-natured, and he put the concerns of those closest to him above his own.

And even well into his old age, he had a boyishness about him, in the way he smiled, how he explored the world around him in his own way.

Norman was fond of saying, “See you when I see you,” as a way of saying goodbye to anyone. So, he likely would say it now as his final farewell.

He will be deeply missed.

Survivors include a daughter, Ann (Timothy) Zimpfer of St. Louis; and two grandchildren Ryan and Travis Zimpfer.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife.

No services are planned at this time.

Memorial contributions may be given to the Norman Braasch Foundation Scholarship Fund at Southeast Missouri State University, 1 University Plaza, Cape Girardeau, MO 63701, or Team Activities for Special Kids (TASK), 980 Horan Drive, Fenton, MO 63026.

Online condolences may be made at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.

Ford and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.