Robert Eugene Brandenburg, 80, of Parsons, Kansas, died December 27, 2018, at Stormont Vail Hospital in Topeka, Kansas, after an accidental fall at the state capitol building. He was born May 13, 1938, at Clay Center, Kansas. His parents were Frank Robert and Dora (Griffiths) Brandenburg.
In the summer of 1939 because of the urging and persistence of then superintendent of schools Rees Hughes, the Brandenburg family moved to Parsons from Paola for his father to teach Vocational Agriculture.
The family home was 2716 Clark. On October 20, 1950, while preparing to move to 105 N. 27th, Robert, age 12, got polio. Many Parsonians recalled that three young boys, Robert, Bill Feess, and Don Bolander were all diagnosed with polio that same night. Years later a friend said, “a great hush fell over the high school football game as the news was announced over the PA system.”
Despite missing all but the first six weeks of the 7th grade because of being hospitalized at KU Med and the FDR center in Warm Springs, Georgia, Robert graduated with his classmates from Parsons High School in 1956. Classmates stopped by his home and pushed him to school daily, and carried him, in his wheelchair, up and down the three flights of stairs at West Junior High and again at PHS and PJC. At his 30th class reunion, which Robert organized, he publicly thanked his classmates for making it possible for him to graduate, and received a standing ovation.
He graduated from Parsons Junior College in 1959. While at PJC, Robert became the first, and believed to be the only, student to be twice elected student council president. At graduation he received the Alumni Leadership Award.
In 1961 he graduated from what was then called Kansas State Teachers College at Emporia. He earned a BS degree in both business and education. While at Emporia he was elected to membership in Xi Phi (honorary leadership), Who's Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges, Kappa Delta Pi (honorary education) and won a regional duplicate bridge tournament for college students.
Upon graduation, he returned to Parsons and was hired as Office Manager of the then-being-constructed Labette County Medical Center. He retired as Chief Financial Officer in 1995.
He was a registered adult leader in Boy Scouts for more than 50 years, earning the Scouts Key and receiving the Distinguished Service Award from Quivira Council. He was also elected to the Order of the Arrow. He served as Scoutmaster of Troup 2, sponsored by the Presbyterian Church, and was extremely proud of the thirteen Eagle Scouts who earned that rank while he was their Scoutmaster.
On November 17, 1968, he and Sharon Anne Galichia of rural Arma, were married in the Presbyterian Church in Parsons. Fittingly, Scouts in full uniform served as greeters and candle lighters. They enjoyed celebrating their 50th anniversary last month.
After a honeymoon to Las Vegas, they established their home at 601 N. 30th. It was here that their two daughters, Jill & Bridget, grew up. From the day of their births, until his death, his daughters were his great delight. He took great joy in being actively involved in their lives. Often he would say, "Why have boys when you can have two good looking, talented and caring daughters.” That delight was later expanded to include two sons-in-law and five grandsons.
Another of his great joys were the many vacations the family was able to take each summer to all parts of the United States and to Mexico and Canada. He later spent many happy hours in libraries, courthouses, cemeteries, and on the internet researching and writing family history. These efforts resulted in visiting living relatives in Denmark and in enjoying email contact with living relatives in Denmark, Germany and Italy.
He served on the Parsons USD 503 School Board for twelve years, with three terms as president. He also served twelve years as Trustee of the Labette Community College with two terms as president. He served on the LCC Foundation Board, the Parsons Recreation Commission, was a member of the Parsons Kiwanis Club, and is currently serving as president of the SEK Audubon Society. Robert was honored as a Cardinal Citee, received the Parsons Jaycees Distinguished Service Award and was a Rotary Paul Harris Fellow. For a number of years he was active in state and national politics, serving as county campaign manager for Gov. Bill Avery and for U.S. Senators John Anderson and James Pearson. He was a lifelong member of the First Presbyterian Church of Parsons where he served as an ordained Elder and in several other capacities.
Robert is survived by his wife Sharon, of the home; daughter Jill Adams of Topeka, Kansas, her husband David and their sons Garrett and Brandon; daughter Bridget Foster of Lakewood, Illinois, her husband Terry and their sons Owen, Nathan and Ryan; sister Martha Brandenburg of Arkansas City, Kansas; brother-in-law Dr. Joseph Galichia and his wife Stella of Wichita; his sister-in-law Dr. Mary Carol Pomatto and her husband Robert of Pittsburg, Kansas; and by many nieces, nephews and cousins.
The service will be at First Presbyterian Church 1 PM Monday December 31st with the Rev. Jennifer Dawson officiating.
The family will receive friends from 3-5 PM Sunday at Carson-Wall Funeral Home.
Burial will be at Memorial Lawn Cemetery.
The family suggests that memorials be given to Labette Community College Foundation to be used for scholarships, or the Parsons Area Community Foundation, or the First Presbyterian Church. They may be left at or sent to the funeral home at PO Box 942 Parsons, KS 67357. On-line condolences may be left at www.wallfuneralservices.com
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