David Braun, 84, of Southern California, passed away in his sleep on July 30, 2026.

Dave was a lifelong model engine collector whose passion for engines, airplanes, racing, and mechanical craftsmanship began at a very young age and continued throughout his entire life. He was a longtime member of both the Model Engine Collectors Association (MECA) and AMA.

Long before collecting became the focus of his hobby, he was an avid control-line airplane flyer and competitive racer. He was exceptionally fast, and his reputation often preceded him.

He competed throughout Southern California and eventually competed at the Team Race World Championships in China in 1994, where he finished 7th overall. Back home, he spent countless weekends racing control-line airplanes and later enjoyed racing his street stock at Corona Raceway and Orange Show Raceway. Racing was simply in his blood.

And, if you ask me, dad wasn't always afraid to interpret the rules a little creatively. (Wink, wink). But that's a story for another day.

Dad was also one of those rare people who seemed capable of making almost anything. He was, without a doubt, one of the smartest men I have ever known. Ironically, he never owned a cell phone and never learned how to use a computer. He didn't need them. Give him a piece of wood or a piece of metal and some time, and he could make just about anything you could imagine.

His love of engines and racing had a tremendous influence on me. My own love for racing and for the hobby industry came directly from him. Many of the interests that have shaped my life can be traced back to the time I spent alongside him at races, working with engines, and simply being around the hobbies he loved.

But as much as dad loved engines, airplanes, and racing, his family was always the most important thing in his life. He loved spending time with his family, particularly during the holidays, when he enjoyed having everyone together. He is survived by me; daughter-in-law, Kristian; grandsons, Chad and Jakob; and great-grandchildren, Liam, Ace, Grace, and Xavier.

Dad's toughness was legendary as well. Over the years, he battled colon cancer, lost his left foot to diabetes, and later fought bone cancer in his jaw. Yet through it all, he continued living independently and doing things his own way.

I used to joke that Dad was like a cockroach and a box of Twinkies—he was going to be the last thing left after the apocalypse.

In many ways, it seemed true.

David Braun lived 84 years doing things his way. He built things, raced things, collected things, competed, taught, argued, laughed, and most importantly, loved his family. He leaves behind a lifetime of memories, but also the people he inspired and the hobbies he helped pass down to the next generation.

For those in the model engine community who knew Dave, he will be remembered not simply as a collector, but as one of those characters who made the hobby what it is—a knowledgeable, talented, competitive, and sometimes mischievous guy who genuinely loved engines.

He will be deeply missed by his family, his friends, and the many people he met throughout a lifetime in the hobby.

And Dad, wherever you are, I hope there are plenty of engines to collect and a racetrack waiting for you.

Until we meet again.


We are looking to host a celebration of life in early Oct. Feel free to email at ice3bills@gmail.com for information.

So sorry to hear of Dave's passing.  I did not know him that well, but knew him well enough to know he was someone worth knowing.    mike hazel

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