Michael John Brandt

Michael Brandt, age 90, died peacefully at his home on July 24, 2012. He was born July 13, 1922 in the village of Kohler, Wisconsin, the son of the late Michael and Anna Brandt of Kohler. Michael graduated from Kohler High School in 1940. The Kohler Company employed him as a draftsman immediately following his graduation. He entered military service in January, 1942 and honored his country by serving as a 1st Lieutenant in the Corps of Engineers and took part in the battle of Normandy, Northern France, Ardennes, Rhineland and Central Europe with five battle stars. He was cited for bravery for going to rescue nine fellow soldiers on December 24, 1944 and was awarded the Soldiers Medal for valor. He married Kohler High School classmate Ruth Ring on December 15, 1945.After his release from service, he attended Milwaukee State Teachers College receiving his Bachelors Degree in 1948 and a Masters degree in Art Education in 1951. He began his teaching career in Sheboygan at the Southside Junior High School, and then moved to Sheboygan Central High School in 1954. In 1956 he joined the staff at Appleton West High School and taught there until 1960. He returned to the University of Wisconsin for his Fine Arts Degree and joined the Lawrence University faculty as Assistant Professor of Art in 1961. In 1963 he accepted a position as Chairman of the Art Department at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh and taught there until his retirement in 1983. He was promoted to Associate Professor in 1965 and to the rank of Full Professor in 1970. He was given the title Professor Emeritus upon retirement.During his tenure at Oshkosh, he became nationally known for his work in metals and jewelry and exhibited widely throughout the United States. He was honored in 1970 by having his work and a short biography published in a book titled Objects: USA. He had works purchased by museums and received numerous awards in major shows. His work was also featured several times in a Court of Honor at exhibitions with Wisconsin Designer Craftsmen. His work was never stagnant and continued to evolve into new forms. He loved to investigate new materials that brought forth themes from nature. These themes gave his jewelry substance and produced a language of its own that spoke to the viewer in some mystic way.He was well-loved by students and was an outstanding teacher and artist. He always gave credit to students for his success, stating that he learned just as much from them as they learned from him. Throughout his teaching career, students remembered him for his teaching ability and thanked him for his incredible gift.He was a member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Oshkosh where he served as Vice President, Chairman of the Board of Elders and Chairman of the Planning Board. He is survived by one son and two daughters: John of Germantown, Wisconsin, Robin (Craig) Passow of Orono, Minnesota and Wendy (Tony) Hurley, of Appleton, Wisconsin and six grandchildren: Kendra and Kellan Passow, Ashley and Courtney Schmuhl, and Elizabeth and Michael Hurley and one brother: Jack Brandt of Etowah, North Carolina. Ruth, his wife of 65 years and three siblings Harvey Brandt, Dan Brandt and Virginia Pluskat preceded him in death.Funeral services will be held at Living Waters Lutheran Church (1585 S Oakwood Rd.) on Monday, July 30, 2012 at 11:00 am with the Rev. John Dorn officiating. Family and friends may call at the church on Monday from 10:00 am to 11:00 am. A memorial has been established in his name for Living Waters Lutheran Church. Final internment will be at Woodland Cemetery in the village of Kohler, Wisconsin. Michales family would like to thank the staffs at Preferred Home Health Care and Aurora VNA Hospice , especially Joan Sievert, for all their support and care.

Living Water Evangelical Lutheran Church



1585 S Oakwood Road
Oshkosh
WI
54904

Monday, July 30, 2012
10:00 am to 11:00 am



Living Water Evangelical Lutheran Church



1585 S Oakwood Road
Oshkosh
WI
54904

Monday, July 30, 2012
11:00 AM