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| Tom Braun at Wild Rumpus | |
Tom Braun, co-founder and co-owner of Wild Rumpus, Minneapolis, Minn., died on October 31. In recent years he had suffered from Alzheimer's disease.
Wild Rumpus is best known as a primarily children's/YA bookstore that's home to a multitude of adopted and rescued animals and operates as something of a petting zoo. In an obituary, the StarTribune wrote: "Walking through the little purple door at Wild Rumpus is like walking through a portal into Tom Braun's brain. A magical, welcoming place full of curiosity and learning, wit, whimsy, artistic vision, great humor and a deep, abiding appreciation of words, language and literature, plus a great love and respect for children and animals....
"To some he was the 'The Mayor of Linden Hills,' 'The man behind the curtain,' the owner of the bookstore, a generous philanthropist, or the founder of Linden Hills Power & Light; to others, Dad, Poppa Tom, Dude, brother, cousin, friend or soulmate.
"With a background in theatre, it's perhaps appropriate that Tom left us on Halloween to join the supernatural world among costumed superheroes and fairies, goblins and witches. 'Always leave them laughing,' he said."
A celebration of Braun's life will be held Sunday, November 25, 1-3 p.m., at the Walker Art Center Skyline Room. In Braun's honor, Wild Rumpus will remain open that day, and profits will be donated to three organizations dear to him: Minneapolis Climate Action (formerly Linden Hills Power & Light), the Alzheimer's Association and Emerge MN.