Robert Oren Brandt

Robert Oren Brandt, 79, Grant Avenue, Altoona, died Wednesday morning at Altoona Regional Health System, Bon Secours Hospital Campus. He had suffered from Parkinson's disease for 10 years. He was born in Altoona, son of the late Josiah D. "Jess" and Margaret M. (Hammer) Brandt. He married Nancy A. Barnard June 20, 1953, and she died Jan. 23, 2007. Surviving are three daughters: Sharon Rhodes and husband, Stephen, and Barbara Brandt, all of Altoona, and Dana Gruesu and husband, Paul, of Greensburg; and three grandchildren: Andrew Rhodes, Lauren Rhodes and Lindsay Gruesu. Robert was a 1948 graduate of Altoona High School. He was an Eagle Scout and in his youth, he was a Cub Scout leader. He served as a U.S. Marine sergeant at Parris Island, S.C., and Brooklyn, N.Y., during the Korean War. He was employed from 1949-91 at the former Mid-State Bank and Keystone Financial. He was an assistant vice president of operations and served for more than a decade as an instructor of the principles of banking operations. He had held all chapter offices, including president of the Altoona Chapter of the American Institute of Banking. Robert had been an Easter Seals treasurer and board member for many years. He was a former member of East End United Methodist Church. He was a "true blue" Penn State fan and was formerly an avid hunter, fisherman and gardener. Friends will be received from 4 to 7 p.m. today at Mauk & Yates Funeral Home Inc., Juniata (www.maukandyates.com), where a funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 16, 2010, by the Rev. John Klingeman. Interment at Blair Memorial Park.