My Family Tree

Dr. Raymond Alexander Brandte died Monday, June 26, 2017, of natural causes. He was born on June 17, 1919, just outside of Albany, N.Y. The youngest of seven siblings, he survived them all at 98 years old.

Dr. Brandte served during World War II, attended the University of Michigan School of Dentistry, then went back into active service during the Korean War as a Navy dentist attached to the Marine Corp. In civilian life, he practiced dentistry in Rochester, New York until 1987. Professionally, he was known as a perfectionist, gentle and caring.

He was a kind, logical, reasonable, thinking person. His interests included nutrition and health, the theater, horse racing, investing, music, cooking (especially Ukrainian family dishes) and doing things yourself even if someone else could do it for you. He was very careful and thoughtful of what he consumed. He enjoyed dining out with his family. He would always have a calm, logical conversation with you. His niece, Susan Wagner, remembers him as her "gentle uncle." He demonstrated that you could be gentle, yet very strong.

During his last years, Dr. Brandte lived in New Hampshire with his son and daughter-in-law for five years and then at Havenwood where he passed away. He will be remembered there for, among other things, telling all that he loved them and kissing their hand. Dr. Brandte's family is exceedingly grateful for the extremely competent and almost unbelievable compassion and love he received there.

He is survived by his only child, John Brandte, his two grandsons, Raymond A. (Alex) Brandte II and Thomas M. (Max) Brandte, his daughter-in-law, Kathleen Brandte, several nieces and nephews, and his first wife, Jean Chatfield.

A visitation will be held from 4 to 5:30 p.m. with a celebration of Dr. Brandte's life immediately following at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, June 30, at Bennett Funeral Home, 209 North Main St., Concord. Interment will be held at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Rochester, N.Y.