Robert W. Wayne Branum

Published 12:23 am Saturday, January 17, 2015

Nov. 6, 1949 – Dec. 6, 2014

Born Nov. 6, 1949, to Robert J. and Wilna L. (Park) Branum, Wayne passed away unexpectedly Dec. 6, 2014, at his home in Siletz, OR. Born and raised in the east San Francisco Bay area, he was a graduate of Pleasant Hill High School and received a B.S. in Biological Science from California State University, Hayward. After many years working for Bekins in the Bay area, he began work with the U.S. Forest Service at Crescent Ranger District in Crescent, Oregon in 1992. He worked for Crescent Ranger District until his retirement in 2010, when he moved to Siletz, OR to take advantage of a milder climate and fishing, crabbing, and clamming. Wayne felt he was one of the luckiest people in the world to work outdoors as a wildlife and fish biologist in many beautiful locations on the Deschutes National Forest, surveying for and helping to improve habitat for the abundant wildlife and fish in the area. He volunteered many hours toward the natural world and the human community he loved.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Linda Poertner Branum; and his father, Robert J. Branum. He leaves behind his wife, Signe Hurd and her daughter Brigitta Kahn; his son, Scott Branum (Darcy); granddaughter, Claire (the apple of his eye!); brother, Alan (Kristi) Branum; mother, Wilna Branum; and his large and loving family of aunts, uncles, and cousins. He also leaves behind many old and new friends, coworkers, hunting and fishing buddies, mentored young people, happy barbecues, and wonderful stories. A kind and generous man, Wayne will be missed by many; but he will live on through the lives he touched, both in the community of man and in the greater natural community around us. A memorial barbecue is planned for early summer 2015.