COLUMBUS
Bernard F. Brand, 93, of Columbus passed away Saturday, Dec. 9, 2017, at Hoosier Christian Village in Brownstown.
Bernard was born May 31, 1924, in Brown County, the son of Hiram and Rosa Brand.
On Feb. 28, 1948, in Bartholomew County, he married Eva L. Thompson. She passed away Feb. 24, 2017.
Bernard was a World War II Army veteran who served in Gen. Patton’s Third Army. For 18 months, he fought in France, Belgium, Luxembourg and Germany. He also fought in the Battle of the Bulge or Ardennes. He attained the rank of Tech 4 (sergeant) and took part in the following battles and campaigns: Northern France, Ardennes, Rhineland and Central Europe.
He was awarded the following decorations and citations: American Campaign Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with four brass stars, Good Conduct Medal, World War II Victory Medal, Unit Award, Certificate of Merit, Honorable Service Lapel Button WWII, Marksman Badge for Carbines and Jubile de la Liberte Diploma for the Government of France and the French Legion of Honor Medal.
After leaving the military, he worked in the engineering department at Arvin Industries, where he monitored and serviced the temperature-testing equipment in the electrical appliance division. He then took a job as assistant auditor with Irwin Union Bank and Trust Co. in Columbus, where he worked until the decision was made to further his formal education.
Using the G.I. Bill, he was able to attend Purdue University and Indiana University, where he earned Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees. He was an honor student, worked part time and was able to complete the requirements for both degrees plus the necessary coursework for a life license in secondary education and a secondary school administrator’s license, all in a period of just more than three full years of study.
Additionally, during this time, he and his wife purchased and remodeled an older home in Bloomington, where they lived while attending school. Following his university training, Bernard moved back to Columbus, where he served as an educator in the secondary schools of Bartholomew County for a period of 10 years. During this time, he and Eva also were residential building contractors, building homes in Everoad Park East, Circle Terrace, Forest Village, Forest Park and Hillcrest additions.
After starting to raise a family, Bernard and Eva thought it was time to move to the country. They purchased farms in Brown County, where they lived until his death. He continued to work as an educator in the Brown County Secondary School until he was forced to retire because of his service-connected disabilities. He had more than 37 years of service there.
Bernard and his family enjoyed living in the country where they were close to nature and could work together. At times, they operated more than 1,000 acres of land, fed as many as 500 head of hogs and usually kept approximately 150 head of black Angus cattle. They were always busy, but they were doing the things they enjoyed.
During Bernard’s career as soldier, teacher, school administrator, building contractor and farmer, he engaged in numerous other activities. While in the military, in addition to his regular duties, he was assigned to do undercover work for the Department of Defense. Being skilled in shorthand, he was required to serve as a court reporter for all of the proceedings in his unit.
He was a member of the Bartholomew County and national home builders associations. As an educator, he served as school treasurer, business department chairman, National Honor Society council member, textbook selection and curriculum planning committees member and supervising teacher. As a farmer, he served as an ASCS committeeman, participated in numerous conservation projects on his farms and was a member of farm co-ops.
Bernard also was a member of the Indiana University Alumni Association, the Bartholomew County and Indiana Retired Teachers Association, Disabled American Veterans, Veterans of Foreign Wars and American Legion.
Survivors include his son, Michael D. (Claudia) Brand of Laurel, Maryland; daughter, Susan J. Brand of Columbus; granddaughter, Cassie Pratt; stepgrandsons, Nicholas and Michael Guilbeau of Louisiana; and great-grandchildren, Steven, Dakoda, Simon and Eva Pratt.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Eva; son, Stephen R. Brand; sisters, Bulah F. Brand, Mildred M. Percifield and Beatrice F. O’Neal; and brothers, Wendell L. and Bicel Brand.
The memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Barkes, Weaver & Glick Funeral Home on Jonathan Moore Pike in Columbus.
Visitation will be from 9 a.m. until time of service Saturday at the funeral home.
Military honors will be presented by the Bartholomew County Veterans Honor Guard.
In keeping with Bernard’s wishes, his body was donated to the Anatomical Education Program of the Indiana University School of Medicine.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Brown County Humane Society.
Online condolences may be made at barkesweaverglick.com.
