Robert Edward Brand

Robert (Bob) Brand passed into Heaven October 14th, 2017, with his beloved family at his bedside. He was born December 19th, 1934, in Birmingham, Alabama, to John and Annie Louise Brand. He was preceded in death by his parents and four brothers John, Charlie, Clyde and Joseph. He is survived by sisters Annie Laurie Thornton of Seminole, Florida and Irene Key of Rockledge, Florida, his wife Marlene (Nicholls), The Villages Florida, sons Craig (Alba Rendon) Miramar, Florida, Rick, Tim (Beth Davison), and two grandchildren Corey and Ashleigh of St. Petersburg, Florida and numerous nieces and nephews. Bob retired as a Master Sergeant from the United States Air Force in 1977 after twenty four years of service. His career took him to Japan, Washington D.C., Hawaii, Florida, Spain, Pennsylvania, Germany, Texas, Guam and Patrick Airforce Base, where he retired. Upon retirement, Bob and his family moved to St. Petersburg where he worked for the Bay Pines and Tampa Veteran Administration. He fulfilled a life-long dream by enrolling in night school at the Tampa College where he earned a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration in 1983. After receiving his degree he worked as an investigator for the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Labor and Management and Standards, combating corruption within organized labor. He and his wife then moved to Clearwater, Florida and lived there until 2000, when they moved to the Villages. He loved retirement especially golfing and traveling. He and his wife enjoyed over sixty one years of marriage and they loved taking cruises and took several trips throughout Europe and visiting every state in the union. He was a member of Saint Timothy's Catholic Community, a volunteer for the Retired Military Office, he enjoyed the 26er's neighborhood social club, Retired Military Family Group, American Legion Post 347, and the Deutscher Club. He was also one of the original weather watchers for the Villages of Santo Domingo. He loved all sports and spent many years as a catcher for the Air Force baseball and fast pitch soft ball teams. He was a Boston Red Sox, Tampa Bay Rays, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers fan. His most beloved team throughout his life was the University of Alabama Crimson Tide. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to the American Cancer Society, Operation Shoebox, or American Legion Post #347 (Lady Lake). Cremation arrangements are under the compassionate care of Forest Lawn Funeral Home, Ocala, Florida. A celebration of life memorial will be held on Thursday, October 26th, 2017, at 8:30am at Saint Timothy's Catholic Church with breakfast following in the hall. Burial will follow at the Florida Veterans Cemetery, Bushnell, Florida. ROLL TIDE ROLL!