July 11, 1927 - August 06, 2015
Arnold B. Brandt Obituary
(Age 88)
Arnie, a man many considered a Legend in Aviation succumbed to prostate cancer August 6, 2015, surrounded by his family. Arnie was born on the family farm near Kramer, ND July 11, 1927 to John and Paulina Brandt. As a small boy, he saw his first airplane fly over the farm, so he ran as far as he could to continue watching it. He obtained his private pilot?s license while stationed in Alaska while serving in the USAF, and continued to fly until well into his 80?s. He also served in the Merchant Marines. As a corporate pilot he enjoyed flying many dignitaries and celebrities but declined to name his most notable passengers because he considered ?all my passengers VIP?s?. In the mid 50?s, along with Deputy Abe Frye, Arnie organized a search and rescue unit of the Nez Pierce County Sheriff?s office, serving as its second Commander. Arnie is Past Commodore of the Hells Canyon Boat Club and a member of the I.O.B.G. He and LaDoris enjoyed many years of boating with their friends and family. After the first Apollo mission returned, Arnie was asked to transport a priceless moon rock around the United States. He and his son Randy delivered a Lear Jet to Australia, traveling through Europe, the Mediterranean, Middle East, India, Saudi Arabia, Southeast Asia and Indonesia. As a keen observer of the space program, Arnie made sure his family and friends knew the time various satellites would be visible in the evening sky. Probably not coincidentally, as he was passing from this world, the space station was overhead. Arnie is survived by his wife LaDoris; her children Kellie (Mike) Carlson, Troy (Tiffany) Savage, Kirstin Savage, Brett Savage; brother Floyd (Mary) Brandt; sisters Virginia (Chet) Pojack, Diana (Ronnie) Brandt, Shirley (Floyd) Vormestrand, five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his son Randy Brandt from his first marriage. He is preceded in death by his parents; brother Melvin and sister Bertha. Visitation will be at Heritage on Wednesday and Thursday 10am-5pm. Funeral Service at Heritage Funeral Home, 508 N. Government Way, Spokane, on Friday, August 21, 2015 at 11:00am, with burial to follow in Greenwood Memorial Terrace. A second Memorial Service will be held at the Lewiston, ID airport in the ?Old Potlatch Hanger?, 406 Burrell Ave., Sunday, August 23, 2015 at 1:00pm, light lunch to follow. In lieu of flowers, Arnie requested contributions be made to the Wounded Warrior Project via its website. Shortly before his passing Arnie commented he was ?in a Lear Jet on an ILS clearance into the unknown?.
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