Frederick Christe Brandt

Fred C. Brandt, 84, our beloved husband, father, grandfather, uncle and friend passed away peacefully on March 13, in the presence of loved ones, in Palm Beach Gardens, FL Born on Valentine's Day 1942 in Ann Arbor, Michigan to Fred and Violet Brandt (nee Button), and raised Catholic on a small farm in lower Michigan, Fred lived a life well-balanced between service, responsibility and having a good time. It was the "having a good time" that caused his parents to send him to the all boys Catholic boarding school in Aurora, IL.
The Marmion Military Academy made him the man we all knew and loved. He worked his way through high school as a gas station attendant and mechanic, graduating as Colonel, Battalion Commander in 1960.

He earned his B.S. in Physics and Mathematics from Adrian College in 1964. Following graduation, he taught Electronics and Science, and coached wrestling in the Toledo Public Schools in Ohio. He often said Teaching was his most emotionally rewarding job. It was during this time, as a dedicated motor head, Fred got into drag racing his Norton Motor Cycle and his 1960 Chevy Impala 327-350 HP.

Fred moved to Silver Spring, MD in 1966 to work as a Senior Engineer for the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory as a test engineer and civilian staff officer for the U.S. Navy's nuclear submarine deployment. This included time with the Commander Submarine Forces Atlantic Fleet (COMSUBLANT) staff, there, developing tactical maneuvers and conducting special operations.

He and Debby married April 15, 1968. They transferred to Virginia Beach with new born son Chris ('70) and had daughter, Tammi ('71) while living there.

In December 1974 Fred joined the US Department of State Foreign Service Service and began traveling the world with his family. Fred served as a Technical Security Officer for the U.S. Embassies in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia ('75); Moscow, U.S.S.R. ('75-77); and Manila, Philippines ('77-79). He was three years in Washington, DC ('79-82) before continuing his service as Regional Security Officer in Cairo, Egypt ('82-85) and Beijing, China ('89-91). From 1992-95 Fred served as Assistant Inspector General and Director of the U.S. Department of State Security Oversight Program, responsible for managing the oversight and validation of the Department of State's Diplomatic Security Service and Communications Security programs.

In 1995 Fred retired from government work, moved to Palm Beach Gardens in 1998, and continued to work in private security for another 20 years.

His great sense of humor, and congeniality put everyone at ease. He was ever patient and encouraging with others, always seeing the best path forward. He was a weather enthusiast who enjoyed sailing and boating with his family and friends, horse back riding with his daughter, camping, and SCUBA diving with his son. An avid tinkerer, craftsman, and family handyman, Fred had a fully stocked workbench, and never lacked for the right tool or hardware.

He is survived by his wife, Debby; children, Chris (Kathy) and Tammi; grandchildren, Grady and Terra; his sister, Charlotte; and innumerably more family and friends who sadly miss him. He was preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Violet Brandt.
A Memorial Service will be held on April 15th at 1 p.m. at St. Patrick's Church, 13591 Prosperity Farms Rd., Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Big Dog Ranch Rescue, Loggerhead Marine Life Center, or the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse "Plant A Tree Program".