I moved in two circles at Rich East: the academics and the more dangerous and interesting group. Pete was in the latter group. He was Mickey Rourke in Diner. He had the car, a job, tore the filters off his cigarettes, drank the most beer and always seemed to get the girl. He made a major contribution to the giant beer can pyramid we built in my garage one summer while we were all working at the Thrall Car Mfg. Company in Chicago Heights. Pete was smart, fun and funny. And a good friend.
I was so sorry to learn that he had burned out so early in his life.
Here's to my friend Peter Brandt- a wonderful character in the cast of characters who have peopled my life.
I remember the day you moved in next door to me. I had heard from my parents we were about to have real Swedish neighbors from Sweden. So I went to the library and got out a book "Learn Swedish Fast!" I saw you and shook your your hand seriously as I thought Europeans did. I stuttered out my greetings and welcome to the neighborhood speech. You looked startled and burst out laughing. I have no idea of what I actually said. I was not part of the cool neighborhood crowd which you were quickly welcomed into. But as I rode my bike while reading books (this is true and accounts for my many bike accidents), you would wave at me as I drove by. Over the years, I saw you grow, bounce the socer ball on your head in a way I never had seen before, and come and go as you sped out of the driveway to meet up with pals. I wonder if I had a chance again to re-welcome you to the neighborhood, what it might be like to be neighbors. In any case as we go more firmly into the seventies decade of our lives, we see people we knew struggle with illnesses and even some pass, and it brings the subject of senior vulnerability and mortality way too close to home.
Fred Daubenspeck
Pete
You were such a vibrant personality who exposed me to another side of life beyond cookie cutter suburbia. For that I will always be grateful.
Your death continues to stun me. I deeply regret we will not meet again in this life!
Paula Burnsky (Behrens)
Pete, So very sad to hear you are gone. You were the best, and your family also.
Paul Hastings
I moved in two circles at Rich East: the academics and the more dangerous and interesting group. Pete was in the latter group. He was Mickey Rourke in Diner. He had the car, a job, tore the filters off his cigarettes, drank the most beer and always seemed to get the girl. He made a major contribution to the giant beer can pyramid we built in my garage one summer while we were all working at the Thrall Car Mfg. Company in Chicago Heights. Pete was smart, fun and funny. And a good friend.
I was so sorry to learn that he had burned out so early in his life.
Here's to my friend Peter Brandt- a wonderful character in the cast of characters who have peopled my life.
Paul Hastings
Amy Star
I remember the day you moved in next door to me. I had heard from my parents we were about to have real Swedish neighbors from Sweden. So I went to the library and got out a book "Learn Swedish Fast!" I saw you and shook your your hand seriously as I thought Europeans did. I stuttered out my greetings and welcome to the neighborhood speech. You looked startled and burst out laughing. I have no idea of what I actually said. I was not part of the cool neighborhood crowd which you were quickly welcomed into. But as I rode my bike while reading books (this is true and accounts for my many bike accidents), you would wave at me as I drove by. Over the years, I saw you grow, bounce the socer ball on your head in a way I never had seen before, and come and go as you sped out of the driveway to meet up with pals. I wonder if I had a chance again to re-welcome you to the neighborhood, what it might be like to be neighbors. In any case as we go more firmly into the seventies decade of our lives, we see people we knew struggle with illnesses and even some pass, and it brings the subject of senior vulnerability and mortality way too close to home.