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The Rev. Dr. Walter L. Brandau
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The Rev. Dr. Walter L. Brandau
The Rev.
Dr. Walter L. “Wally” Brandau, 76, of St. Petersburg, FL
passed from this life due to complications of Pneumonia
and Alzheimer’s Disease on Thursday (Dec. 7, 2006) at
Hospice House Woodside, Pinellas Park, FL.
Wally was
born March 19, 1930, in Hazleton, PA, the son of the
late Martin E. and Dorothy (Richards) Brandau.
His wife of
55 years, Shirley Welker, formerly of Sunbury, PA, is
living in St. Petersburg.
Wally
graduated from Sunbury High School with the Class of
1947, Susquehanna University in 1951, Gettysburg
Theological Seminary in 1954, and Chicago Seminary in
1966. He was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Divinity
from Susquehanna University in 1981. He ministered
within the parishes of St. John’s Lutheran in Espy and
joint parish of Hidlay Lutheran, Bloomsburg, PA
(1955-1959); Holy Trinity in Berlin, PA (1959-1967);
Trinity Lutheran in Milton, PA (1967-1977); Mount
Calvary in Johnstown, PA (1977-1985) and Saint Mark’s in
Williamsport, PA (1985-1995) where he retired. Shortly
after retirement, Wally was called upon by the Synodical
Bishop to serve as an interim minister over the next
several years at the following Lutheran Churches in
Elysburg, Jersey Shore, and Quiggleville, all in PA, and
Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church in Deerfield Beach, FL.
Wally was a
member of various Synodical Committees and served on
Tressler Lutheran Social Services’ Board. He was a
member of the Rotary International and was their group
study leader to India. He was a Boy Scout leader in the
various communities. He organized recovery efforts after
several hurricanes and floods. Notably Hurricane’s
Agnes, Hugo and Andrew, and the Johnstown Flood of 1977.
He loved to
spend time with his family, travel, camp and hike,
paint, quilt and enjoyed wild flower photography. Wally,
also along with Clyde Peeling owner of Reptiland,
Williamsport, traveled to Ecuador to study reptile
habitats in the Amazon Rain Forest. He was a pianist and
organist.
In addition
to his wife Shirley, he is survived by their daughter
and son-in-law, Rebekah and Robert K. Miller Jr., in FL
currently, and four sons and daughters-in-law: Lee
Brandau, Milton, PA; Mark and Pat (Mauger) Brandau,
Hagerstown, MD; Tim and Karen (Mowery) Brandau, Paxinos,
PA and Edward and Amy (Kocis) Brandau, Johnstown, PA; 12
grandchildren: Robert K., III and Michelle (Driscoll)
Miller, Hamburg, PA; Benjamin and Susan (Romanowsky)
Miller, Swoyersville, PA; Rachael Brandau, Johnstown;
Johnathan Brandau, Milton; Jennifer Brandau, Memphis,
TN; Hannah and Jeremy Brandau, Hagerstown; Melissa and
Matthew Brandau, Paxinos, and Emylee, Jacob and Kaitlyne
Brandau, Johnstown; 6 great-grandchildren; Robert K., IV
and Patrick Miller, Hamburg, and Austin, Noah, Collin
and Elliot Miller, Swoyersville; brother and
sister-in-law, Robert and Edith (Carter) Brandau,
Charlotte, NC, and sister, Shirley Tyler, St.
Petersburg; along with several nieces and nephews and
their families.
Preparations for cremation have been arranged through
Anderson-McQueen. Celebration of Life Services will be
held at the Lutheran Church of the Cross, St.
Petersburg, FL, where he was a member, and St. Mark’s
Lutheran Church. Williamsport, PA, at a later time.
Williamsport Sun-Gazette - Section:
Obituaries Posted: 12/9/2006 |
