Charles Louis Brandt
WALTERBORO, S.C. — Charles Louis Brandt, 97, passed away at the Veterans’ Victory House in Walterboro, S.C., Jan. 9, 2020. Charlie was born on May 13, 1922, at St. Francis Hospital, Escanaba, to Frederick and Lucille Brandt. Charlie attended grade school at the Barr School in Escanaba and joined the Escanaba City Band while still in high school. Charlie continued to play clarinet in the city band for 40 years and even received a gold card from the Musicians’ Union.
In 1942, Charlie enlisted in the U.S. Naval Reserve and was sworn in at the Great Lakes Naval School for training. He went to torpedo school in San Diego, Calif., and spent time doing convoy duty on the U.S.S. Moffet out of Norfolk, Va. During World War II, Charlie’s ship provided protection for liberty ships across the Atlantic and in the Mediterranean. Upon discharge from the Navy, Charlie and his high school sweetheart, Catherine Jean Ryan, were married Feb. 15, 1947, and settled in Escanaba. Charles worked for the National Biscuit Company and then retired from Mead Paper Company in 1984 after working there for 29 years. After retirement, Charlie and Jean traveled and enjoyed time at their cottages on Stonington Peninsula and on M-35 near Escanaba in the Upper Peninsula. They spent winters in Las Vegas, Nev., and Tucson, Ariz., returning in the spring to Escanaba and later Lake City, Mich. Jean preceded Charlie in death on Nov. 15, 2002. Charlie spent the rest of his life missing his childhood sweetheart and life partner. He was a diehard U of M and Patriots fan and had a wonderful sense of humor to the very end of his life.
Charlie had a deep love of family. He is survived by his son, Greg (Jeanene) of Lake City, Mich.; daughter, Nancy Norman (David) of Phoenix, Ariz.; Mary Lynn (Jay) Gannon of Escanaba and Buckeye, Ariz.; and Tim (Colleen) Brandt of Bluffton, S.C.; grandsons Ryan Brandt (Carol) of Chelsea, Mich.; Kyle Brandt (Amber) of Grand Rapids, Mich.; Connor Brandt and Kegan Brandt of Bluffton, S.C. and granddaughters Nichol Norman (Shaun Absher) of Glendale, Calif.; Natalie Norman (Sandra Eberwein) of Portland, Ore.; Kelsey Brandt and Erin Brandt of Bluffton, S.C. and great grandchildren Sydney and Kellan Brandt of Chelsea, Mich., Audrey Absher of Glendale, Cailf. and Winslow Brandt of Grand Rapids, Mich. Charlie was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Bob.
A military ceremony was held at the Veteran’s Victory House on Friday, Jan.10. A Celebration of Life will take place at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Escanaba City Band, c/o the City Controller, 410 Ludington St. Escanaba, MI 49829.