Robert J. Brandt

Dr. Robert John Brandt (Bud), 91, passed away on October 26, 2023, peacefully at his home in Sunset Beach, NC with his caring family.

He is survived by his loving wife of 68 years, Barbara E. Brandt (Liz) (nee Haworth), his son Edgar A. Brandt of Baltimore, MD and daughter Rebecca B. Weitzell, son-in-law George J. Weitzell of Baltimore, MD and granddaughter Sarah E. Chaffman.  He is preceded in death by his parents and his first son, William C. Brandt, of Baltimore, MD.

Bud was born in Lubbock, TX, the son of the late Carl D. Brandt and Bertha L. Brandt (nee Mutch), of Whitinsville, MA.

Upon graduation from The Wilbraham Academy, in Wilbraham, Mass, Bud attended Harvard University. He graduated in 1954 with a B.A. Degree in Psychology and went on to earn his Medical Doctorate from Duke University School of Medicine in Durham NC in 1958.  Bud then earned a master's degree of Public Health from University of California, Berkley, in 1961.  Upon graduation from Duke Medical School, Bud returned to the U.S. Air Force, achieving the rank of Lt Colonel with the position of Senior Flight Surgeon.  He retired after 14 years of military service in 1970, having been awarded the Meritorious Service Medal, amongst other accolades in the U.S. Air Force.

The next 26 years were dedicated to Industrial Safety and Hygiene, Occupational Medical Services and researching environmental workplace hazards and their impact on employees.  While living in Maryland, Bud worked as the Medical Director at the National Institutes of Health and at Bethlehem Steel, Sparrows Point.  Later, he worked at developing programs in Occupational Health and Safety in the corporate setting at the Occupational Health and Safety Administration, in Washington DC, the Center for Occupational and Environmental Health, in Baltimore, MD, Bethlehem Steel Corp, in Bethlehem, PA, and Chrysler Motors in Detroit, MI.  Bud’s professional focus was preventative and occupational health and safety standards and policy development; health education, substance abuse programs and wellness development, and researching workplace biohazards for private industry and federal agencies.

In addition to having published several professional articles, Bud was a member of the American Medical Association, an American Academy of Occupational Medicine and American College of Preventive Medicine Fellow; served as chair of the Occupational Health Committee of the Medical and Surgical Faculty of Maryland, the Occupational Health and Safety Committee for the American Iron and Steel Institute and the American Automobile Manufacturers Association, and was a Senior Associate in the Division of Occupational Medicine at The John’s Hopkins University School of Hygiene and Public Health.

Bud enjoyed the blessing of a full rich life, travelling the world with his wife and family throughout his military and corporate professional career and into his retirement.  Bud was an avid beach and golf enthusiast.  He excelled in his casino skills and enjoyed his various sports cars through the years (57 Corvette Convertible, Sunbeam Tiger and BMW). Bud and his wife Liz retired to Sea Trail Plantation in Sunset Beach, NC in 1994 to continue the joys of playing golf and the beach.

A private graveside service with Military Honors will be held at Pine Grove Cemetery, Linwood Ave, Whitinsville, MA.  In lieu of flowers, the Brandt Family requests any memorial donations may be made to The Robert J. Brandt, M.D. and Barbara E. Brandt, R.N. Scholarship Fund for Medical Education (c/o Jeanne Oury, Executive Director of Development, Duke School of Medicine, 500 N. Duke St., Unit 56-106, Durham, NC 27701)

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