Richard Arthur “Dick” Brandt, 92, of Gig Harbor, Retired Lutheran Pastor and U.S. Army Chaplain, was born June 10, 1933, in Owatonna, Minnesota and died in Gig Harbor, Washington on October 11, 2025.
His parents were the Reverand Rolf Didrik Brandt and Cora Henrietta Hansen Brandt. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Brenda Gail Campbell Brandt, daughter of Sergeant First Class Arlington Ross and Ruth Arlene Campbell and children Richard Ross Brandt (Rebecca) of Decatur, Georgia, Amy Lynn Brandt (Jason) of Tacoma, Kari Kay Brandt of Spanaway and Jonathan James Brandt of Houston, Texas, Grandchildren, Kaitlynn Irish, Devon Irish, Kain Brandt, Austin Brandt and Isabella Brandt.
Dick was preceded in death by his siblings Rolf (Helen), James (Norene), Coralyn (Orin), and Stephen (Norma). He is survived by brother Lowell (Linda) of Minnetonka, Minnesota.
Dick attended High School in Burns, Oregon and Mt. Vernon, Washington. He entered Pacific Lutheran College in Parkland, Washington, receiving his bachelor’s degree, then entered Luther Theological Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota and upon graduation and ordination was called by the Evangelical Lutheran Church into military service as a U.S. Army Chaplain in 1959.
Serving as a military chaplain for 30 years and attaining the rank of Colonel, Dick served in my locations, including oversees assignments in Thule, Greenland, Dong Tam, Vietnam and Mannheim, Germany. Stateside assignments included Ft. Slocum, Ft. Hamilton and Ft. Wadsworth (New York), Ft. Hood and Ft. Sam Houston (Texas), Ft. Leonard Wood (Missouri), Ft. Carson (Colorado), Ft. Ord (California) and Ft. Lewis (Washington).
Dick pursued post graduate work at Long Island University, Chapman College (California), and New York Theological Seminary after a year of clinical study in Hollywood (California). He was licensed to practice marriage and family counseling by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences.
Among his military awards, he twice received the Legion of Merit, twice the Bronze Star, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Medal, four awards of the Army Commendation Medal and a Valor Device for Actions in Vietnam, as well as campaign ribbons.
After military retirement he was called as pastor to Key Peninsula Lutheran Church and then to Christ Lutheran Church, Belfair, Washington as an interim. Later he assisted at Emmanuel Lutheran Church (Tacoma) and Agnus Dei (Gig Harbor). He was a life member of the Military Chaplain Association and the Veterans of Foreign Wars. He liked soldiers and their families, and they liked him!
In lieu of flowers, please donate to “No Child Goes Hungry” https://nochildgoeshungry.net
