Richard John Brehm

Richard John Brehm born in Racine Wisconsin on November 28, 1942 Passed away at the age of 73 on April 16, 2016 at 12:15 A.M.

Richard and his mother, Vivian Barton-Brehm, Step-Father Adam Brehm and younger brother William Brehm travelled Route 66 and made their way to their new home in Van Nuys, California in 1957. Older sister Barbara Brehm stayed behind with her maternal grandmother, Clara Barton because she couldn’t imagine living anywhere but Racine – where she remains to this day.

It was at Van Nuys High School where he met his future wife, Karen Maxine Pierce in their mutual English class. Richard loved to tell the story of how “his flunking English class caused him to later have a wife and two daughters” – which was good or bad depending on the day you asked! Richard and Karen were married for 18 years. He was later married to Stacey Matheson-Packer who preceded him in death after her long battle with Breast Cancer. Later he married Elaine Strand-Pratt. Elaine and his daughter Debbie Brehm-Milburn, Granddaughters Jennifer Brehm and Tiffany Milburn as well as Great-Granddaughter Kaylie Paige Brehm were by his side as he moved on from this life to the next. Richard had maintained a close relationship with daughter Debbie all of her life and acted not only as Grandfather to Granddaughter’s Jennifer and Tiffany, but “Father” as well. Great Granddaughter, Kaylie loved her “Papa” very much and the two spent many hours together riding in Papa’s golf cart and playing video games together.

In addition to the grandchildren from Debbie’s family, Richard had 3 additional grandchildren from his younger daughter, Kellie Brehm-Ionita and her husband Adrian Ionita. Katie, Krista and Kendall Ionita reside in Colorado. A fourth granddaughter, Brittany Hochberg, daughter of Kellie and Mark Hochberg came to California as frequently as she could to see her Papa and shared, that since his passing she “felt terrible” that for various reasons she could not visit with him as often as she really wanted too. The two maintained a very close, loving relationship regardless. Her father Mark, although long divorced from Kellie, maintained a close relationship with him. Since he never had a son, Richard cherished his relationships with the men in his daughter’s lives.

Richard also enjoyed the relationship he had with Elaine’s children, Laurie Pratt-Brandt and her children Myles and Mollie Brandt. Prior to their moving to Colorado, they enjoyed spending holidays, particularly “Grandparents Day” together. Elaine also had two sons, Dan and Rick Pratt. Rick added to the list of grandchildren with the birth of Raelin Pratt on June 25, 2012.

Richard worked in the Aerospace Industry for 40 years working for such companies as Menasco Manufacturing in Burbank, California, Stellar Aerospace in North Hollywood, California and lastly at Hawker Pacific in Van Nuys, California. He retired in 2005.

Richard had a great passion for tanks, aircraft and most things with historical significance, particularly concerning World War II. In recent years you could generally find him in his “man cave” watching “The History Channel” and playing video games (particularly with Granddaughter Tiffany or Great Granddaughter, Kaylie). Video games were the ONLY form of technology he would tolerate! He particularly enjoyed watching “Judge Judy” (although the rest of us don’t understand THAT), “Two and a Half Men” and “Family Feud” in addition to programming on “The History Channel” and “Investigation Discovery”. He really enjoyed watching these shows with Debbie and Tiffany’s dogs, “Baby Blue” and “Lola”.

He will be missed beyond words to those who knew and loved him.