Ron Brayer recorded history through a camera lens.

Weddings, graduations, sporting events, family reunions and circus performers built his Baraboo photography business and made Brayer one of the most well-known people in Sauk County.

He also captured car crashes, similar to the type last week that ultimately took his life.

Brayer, 66, a former freelance photographer for the Wisconsin State Journal, died Monday at UW Hospital in Madison from injuries he received Friday when he was hit by a van just north of the courthouse square in Baraboo’s downtown.

He had just left a restaurant and was about to mount his motor scooter when the crash occurred, according to his wife of 27 years.

"He will be remembered as a feisty true friend," Regina Brayer said Tuesday. "He wasn’t always easy to be around but he was honest in who he was."

Baraboo police say Ron Brayer was walking across Oak Street just after 6:30 p.m. Friday when he was struck by a van driven by Debra Althen, 51, of Merrimac. The vehicle was slowly backing down the street, police said.

Lt. Rob Sinden said Brayer suffered serious head injuries. Althen has not been ticketed, Sinden said.

Brayer, who grew up in Wisconsin Rapids, graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in the mid-1960s, before coming to Baraboo. For years, he worked with partner Darton Drake and took photographs of artifacts and performers for Circus World Museum.

"He was a very vital part of our museum," said Dave Saloutos, performance and parade director at Circus World. "He was very involved in the community. He’s one of our characters that you cherish."

Brayer’s photography appeared in the State Journal from 1999 through 2003. He covered the shooting death of an Adams County sheriff’s deputy in 2003, took images of flood damage in Sauk County in 2000 and, in 2003, of a 60-ton house being moved in Baraboo.

Regina Brayer said she will be working to sort out photos already taken by Brayer and, with the help of other photographers, to honor assignments that have been scheduled.

Following cremation, Brayer’s ashes will be spread Saturday on his property that overlooks the Baraboo Country Club. He is also survived by two adult daughters.

Tim Damos of the Baraboo News Republic contributed to this story.