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Anchorage, Alaska, resident Rebecca "Beki" Sue Bandon died peacefully on June 7, 2015, at the age of 74, of natural causes at Providence Hospital, surrounded by her friends. Rebecca was born on April 25, 1941, in Searcy, Ark., to James Walter Brandon Sr. and Mary Agnes Spear Brandon. An only child for many years, her brother James Jr. was born in the late 1950s to complete the Brandon family. Having traveled the world during her life, it was Alaska that became Rebecca's home. Due to her father being in the Army for 32 years, her education was varied: elementary and junior high school were attended in Heidelberg, Germany, post World War II. She then graduated from East High School in Salt Lake City, Utah, and went on to Colorado Woman's College in Denver, Colo. This was followed by her attendance at Mt. Carmel School of Nursing in Pittsburg, Kansas. In 1964, Rebecca was commissioned as a 2nd Lt. into the U.S. Army Nurse Corp by her father. Rebecca accomplished much in her five year military career. She completed basic training in Ft. Sam, Houston, Texas, and basic operating room training at Letterman General Hospital, San Francisco, Calif. Rebecca was then assigned to the operating room at Fitzsimons General Hospital in Denver, Colo. This was followed by an assignment to the Vietnam 3rd Field Hospital, Saigon, Vietnam. During this time, Rebecca Sue Brandon earned the Vietnam Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal and Army Commendation Medal. She then returned to the United States for her final assignment at Ft. Benning General Hospital in Columbus, Ga., followed by an honorable discharge. Rebecca resigned her reserve Army commission as a Captain in 1970. Wanting to go back to school, she attended the Nurse Anesthetist School at Temple University in Philadelphia, Penn. Rebecca Brandon worked as a nurse anesthetist and completed 32 years of Federal Service. She spent 12 years at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington D.C., and 20 years at Alaska Native Medical Center in Anchorage. Not ready to retire completely, Rebecca went on to work for the Anesthesia Associates at Alaska Regional Hospital until August of 2009. Rebecca's second passion in life was the art of purebred dogs. She was an exceptional conformation handler, dog breeder and trainer. She was well known for both her success in this genre and her depth and breadth of knowledge. It was in her appreciation of this art that Rebecca cultivated her greatest gift. Rebecca Sue Brandon was, above all else, a mentor and a teacher. She was generous with both her time and knowledge and quick to recognize the undeveloped promise in others. Those Rebecca taught learned to believe one's best was not good enough, but merely a marker to be surpassed. The unrecognized greatness held within us all was what Rebecca demanded from those she guided. It is what she also gave to her career, her country, her art and to those fortunate enough to call her friend. Survivors include her brother, James Jr.; sister-in-law, Margaret Brandon; niece, Rachael; and nephews, Matthew and Kyle. Rebecca Brandon was preceded in death by her life partner, Babetta Veater; and her parents, James Sr. and Mary Brandon. A Celebration Life will be published at a later date.
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Sponsored by Stirling O'Hanluan.
Miss you
July 31, 2015
I haven't seen Rebecca in years but she was my handling instructor as a newbie in the dog show world a great lady!
Gail Tutt
July 23, 2015
I met Becky at Walter Reed when I was stationed at Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Division of Veterinary Medicine. I showed dogs with her and helped her if she had a conflict showing 2 dogs at the same time. Becky gave us our first Japanese Chin as a puppy and "Louie" became Ch.Yellocro Chosun one. "Chosun" was Becky's kennel name for her Chins. Becky was also my anesthetist at Walter Reed in 1975 when my leg was injured and had to be repaired. During the surgery we discussed a name for a new Chin puppy I had just bred. In the middle of the surgery(I was under a local) the song "Wildfire" came on in the surgery suite and Becky suggested Wildfire as a baby for the baby Chin. "Mary" became Ch. Yellocro Wildfire and was undefeated to her championship. Becky was a class act and she will be missed.
Greg Bartoshuk
July 12, 2015
One tough lady...form follows function. Thank you for the knowledge you shared.
linda cunningham
July 6, 2015
It's a special feeling to know someone for such a short period of time, but the impact on my life will last my lifetime. Thank you Rebecca you are apart of my concious now.
John Rocco
June 22, 2015
Sympathies to the family. Becky was a strong woman and a professional collegue.
Kathy Madej
June 20, 2015
Rebecca, I can't thank you enough for all the knowledge you shared to so freely. Being it at classes or helping in selecting a new puppy. It has been a privilege. Whatever journey there is after this world, you deserve a good one. You were always uncompromisingly true to yourself.
Hilde Stapgens
June 20, 2015
Sad, very sad news! Rebecca was my neighbor since 1983 and she'll be missed dearly. I always enjoyed sharing my sockeye salmon fillets with her and her smiling face when she received them was more rewarding then catching the fish. I'll also miss the conversations around the neighborhood mail boxes, especially after we had a Chinook wind storm blow through ... at the same time she ALWAYS asked about how my children were doing. She watched them grow and play in the neighborhood for many years. She'll be sorely missed indeed. Condolences to the Brandon family. A great loss!
Wayne Crayton
June 17, 2015
June 17, 2015
Missing my friend, my mentor of all things dog and one who taught me so much more about life and dignity. Thankful the conversations we had about God, Jesus and spiritual things bring me peace. Being a "fruit inspector" I witnessed; love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance." Godspeed dear friend!
Donna Hitz
June 17, 2015
Beki was also an outstanding anesthetist. Having seen her work with so many of my surgical patients at ANMC over the years, I would have chosen her to put me to sleep for surgery had the need arisen. She has my greatest respect for the innumerable contributions she made to our patients over her many years of service to others. Bill Paton, M.D., Orthopaedic Surgeon.
Bill Paton
June 17, 2015
Condolences on your loss.
AANA President-elect Juan F. Quintana CRNA DNP, MHS
Juan Quintana
June 17, 2015
Please accept my condolences for your loss. Losing a love one is very difficult. May you find solace in the wonderful memories shared. And may the God of all comfort give you peace during this sad time. 2 Cor. 1: 3 and 4
Phyllis
June 17, 2015
The first & only to present a Kerry Blue to Best In Show here in Alaska!!! ...A woman of iconic strength, Rebecca was intense & passionate with life. Rebecca was generous with her gift of knowledge, but seldom easy. This remarkable woman effected many lives. Her mentoring in dogdom caused a shift within that not only changed how we viewed the show ring, but how we viewed our entire life. ...I will always hold your memory in total admiration. Dear one, rest in eternal peace.
Judith Hoch
June 17, 2015
Judith Hoch
June 16, 2015
My sincerest condolences to the Brandon Family. May the Hearer of Prayer be of comfort to you at this time. (Psalms 83:18)
June 16, 2015
Beki,girl the time just flew by didn't it old friend, you are on your final journey and it will be grand,and even if you didn't know it we loved you.....Janie & Linda
janie dalton/collins
June 16, 2015
Your voice echoes in my head while I show my dogs. You gave us all so much. I am sure you and Betta and many of your beloved dogs are happy having crossed the Rainbow Bridge.
Jean Sheffield
June 16, 2015
Rebecca, my mentor, you gave so much of yourself, taught me so much, I am forever grateful. My friend, your compassion & kindness to me & my family. I will never forget.
Rose Scaggs
June 16, 2015
One great lady to have known in my life! Especially in the dog shows . Both her and Betta were walking knowledge that a lot of us absorbed like sponges. I haven't seen her for years til awhile back I was having a procedure done and low and behold there she was going to be my anesthesiologist! We talked of the old days ofshowing dogs and being against each other. I knew I was in good hands. You will be missed by all of us who had the pleasure to have known and been mentored by you and Betta!
Roberta
June 16, 2015
The loss I feel is profound. Rebecca was not only a dog mentor, she mentored me personally. I will forever hear her voice and wise words in my heart. Rest in Peace my dear friend.
Leigh Ann Bauer
June 16, 2015
Rebecca, you will be greatly missed. You were a great friend and mentor.
Kristina Klingler
June 16, 2015
A woman that I am so proud of to call my friend and my mentor.
The blessing Rebecca shared with me, I will share with those as freely as she did. RIP my friend. I miss you horribly.
HUGZ
Christie J.
June 16, 2015
Wow....I cannot believe that both Betta and Becky are gone. Both were wonderful ambassadors to the sport of pure bred dogs. I have great memories of dog shows long ago....of mentors who became friends. Seems like yesterday! There is a whole lot of dogs wagging their tales on the other side of the Rainbow bridge!
Kristi and Erika Jacobs and Brink
June 15, 2015
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