Submitted by: Dan Rich

Robert L. Braunsdorf

July 25, 1848 – Jan. 3, 1902

South Bend Tribune 1-4-1902

Robert L. Braunsdorf, a well known architect and builder of this city, died Saturday afternoon at 2:20 o’clock, while sitting in a chair talking with his wife at their home, 221 South St. Peter street.  Death was the result of ureic poisoning, superinduced by intestinal toxemia, with which he was taken ill about six weeks ago.  The funeral will be held at St. Joseph’s church tomorrow morning, the Rev. N. J. Stoffel officiating.  The burial will be in the Cedar Grove cemetery.  The services will be simple, but will conform to the rites of the Roman Catholic church and friends are requested not to bring flowers.

Mr. Braunsdorf was the oldest architect of South Bend, having been identified with the building interests of the city for 30 years, the impress of his handiwork being on many of the best buildings in the city.  In many respects he was a remarkable man, he being able to carry the dimensions and details in his mind of buildings which he was erecting. Mr. Braunsdorf was taken ill some time ago, but under the treatment of Dr. Charles Stoltz the trouble yielded and he resumed his labors as supervising architect at the new S. Paul’s M. E. church.

About 10 days ago, however, there was another attack with urinary complications and though he recovered to be able to sit up, the disease culminated Saturday morning in ureic poisoning, which was the direct cause of death.  Dr. F. P. Eastman and Dr. R. B. Dugdale were called in consultation at noon Saturday and some relief was afforded the patient, but at the hour named he suddenly passed away.

Mr. Braunsdorf was born July 25, 1848, at Danzig, Germany.  He was educated in Holzminden and graduated in 1864.  While in Germany he followed the carpenter’s trade, at the same time traveling over the country.  In 1865 he came to New York and remained there until 1871, when he came to South Bend.  For 10 years he followed his trade and in 1881, he turned his attention to architectural work.  Among the principal buildings which he designed or supervised the construction of, or both, are the Studebaker Bros. Manufacturing company’s repository in Chicago, the residences of Mr. C. A. Carlisle, Mr. F. S. Fish and a summer home for Mr. Carlisle at Chautauqua, N.Y., and a large number of improvements at Notre Dame and St. Mary’s academy.  At the time of his death he was the supervising architect of the new St. Paul’s church, which when completed will be the finest church edifice in the city. 

Mr. Braunsdorf was married in 1868 to Miss Augusta W. Mochring, who is a native of Germany, their marriage being celebrated in the city of New York, and to this union seven children were born.  Those who are living are William H., Walter J., Mrs. Charles Embick and Augusta H., all of South Bend.