Raymond Brandt

Raymond Hilker Brandt February 19, 1932 - June 11, 2010 Born on February 19, 1932, Ray grew up in Euclid, Ohio. He attended Roosevelt Elementary School and Euclid Shore High School. In high school, Ray wrestled, was a member of the National Honor Society, played alto sax and acted in I Remember Mama. Ray then attended Case Institute of Technology, earning a double degree in Mechanical Engineering and Engineering Administration. Ray met Marilyn Groenstein through mutual high school friends, the beginning of a sixty-one year love affair. They were married on August 15, 1953. After two years of working for the Cleveland Electric Illuminating Company, Ray was drafted into the Army. Most of his time in the service was spent at White Sands Proving Grounds in New Mexico, where he tested and launched missiles including the Honest John and the Nike. Although he was asked to continue his army career at Cape Canaveral, Ray decided to return home to Cleveland. Ray managed a mid-sized manufacturing company as the Executive Vice President of Interlake Stamping Corporation. During his tenure, the company grew to four divisions His compassion, intelligence and listening skills made him a well-loved boss to his numerous employees. He also served as the president of the Cleveland chapter of the American Metal Stamping Association. Ray retired in 1993, after thirty six years at Interlake. The most important part of Ray's life was his family. He enthusiastically supported each of his six kids academic and musical activities, but especially loved cheering them on at all their sporting events. He was integral in the formation of the Cleveland Heights Hockey League, even advocating with the Ohio High school Athletic Association to have hockey accepted as a varsity high school sport. His years of announcing the hockey games, providing oranges and honey for the players, driving to 4 a.m. practices and being the loudest fan in the stands led to his induction in the Cleveland Heights Hockey Hall of Fame. Ray coached youth baseball and cheered at thousands of hockey, baseball, softball, soccer, lacrosse and field hockey games played by his six children and thirteen grandchildren. Ray showed his love for his family in many ways. He loved to cook, especially hot breakfasts and large family dinners. He helped sell Boy Scout greens and Girl Scout cookies, then drove all over the city making deliveries. With his help, the Brandts were always the top sellers in their troops. He wallpapered, painted, planted flowers and did all the grocery shopping with kids in tow. He was known to whistle in the morning, play pinochle late into the night, cheerfully drive his children to all of their activities and open his home to friends, family and exchange students from all over the world. Ray approached life with an open heart, a glint in his eye and a positive attitude, including his diagnosis of Parkinson Disease and Diffuse Lewy Body Disease. Despite his illness, Ray continued to enjoy his family, friends and especially a good bowl of ice cream. It would be hard to find a more wonderful, loving and compassionate man. He will be missed by all who knew him. Husband of Marilyn M. Brandt Father to Tom, Dave, Chris, Marilyn, Celinda and Mazie Father-in-law to Liz, Pat, Beth, Karen, Francis and Mike Grandfather to Carolyn, Christian, Patrick, Ryan, Alex, Mariel, Anna, Eric, Andrew, Adrian, Lillian, Elliot, Charlie, David and Cecilia BROWN-FORWARD SERVICE 216 752-1200


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