Brandon Allan Nord

Brandon was a very loving soul whose heart was open to helping everyone without question. His smile brightened every day. He was passionate and influential about many things in his life. He strove to find and bring out the best in people.

He graduated Mater Dei High School and then went to Indiana University, obtaining a BA in secondary education. He performed his student teaching on the Navajo Indian Reservation in the 4 Corners. He then went onto teach in Chicago, where he engaged troubled teens and brought a positive experience to their days at school. Then Philadelphia, where he challenged conventions in teaching by bringing new courses to his classroom like Reel Diversity, which created a safe space for kids to explore the world in an open, conversational way.

Brandon loved sports! He played baseball from the first stages of walking. He and his Dad would play one-on-one wiffle ball in the backyard of their country home in Elberfeld, In. Brandon went on to play baseball for many years and even played at the historic Bosse Field, home of many minor league teams since the early 1900’s. He also participated in cross country running and soccer. As a teacher, he carried his love of baseball to coaching girls’ softball, taking first-time players to the conference championship game. The girls respected him and yet were free to open communication in a fun environment. Outside of organized sports, golf became a game he really enjoyed, torturing his sister with carrying his clubs when he golfed with his then neighbor, Jimmy. When he couldn’t make it to the course, he would play yard golf with friends. When he lived in Pennsylvania, he created yard games with his friend, Jim, and played many rounds of ping pong.

Brandon really enjoyed music of all kinds. Many of his friends became f(ph)amily by traveling to music festivals and concerts across the country. When he wasn’t dancing to music, you could find him in a drum circle or experimenting with a new instrument.

He was passionate about the earth: hiking, exploring, farming, and landscaping. Brandon loved his hiking gear and used it often to go hiking in the wilderness all over the country. Some of the best stories were told around campfires on mountainsides. And sometimes, after discovering a geo-caching box while searching for firewood, we sang Whitney Houston and pledged our allegiance to the tin cup gang! HaHa!

He was unpredictable and hilarious, always a bit shy but willing to try new things.

In the summers between teaching, he would travel to Richmond, VA where he would intern on an organic farm called Amy’s Garden. He loved farming and gardening so much that he began his own garden in Bristol, PA. His friends and family helped him dig, sow, and sell his produce at the Philadelphia Farmer’s Market. His best sellers were greens, homemade salad dressing, and flowers. Brandon created beautiful flower arrangements that people would buy every week. This led to opening his own business in Evansville, IN called Stewards of Your Land, or SOYL. Brandon took care of the land and people in a caring, creative way. He did everything from mowing lawns to designing and building terraced landscapes and walkways. He was growing and expanding his business strictly by word of mouth. He called everyone in his family to tell them when he bought his first piece of professional equipment. Brandon had a lot of pride in his accomplishments.

Brandon is survived by his parents Kim and Gerry Nord, and his sister, Crystal Murphy (Nic). Also his grandmother, Betty Nord, uncle Steve Nord, aunts Chris Lechner (Scott), Susan Blessinger, Doris Niehaus (Joe), and Paula Baysinger (Bob). Niece Cassidy Murphy and nephew Brody Murpy, cousins Bryanna Blessinger, Alyssa Blessinger, Taylor Lechner, Kelsey Lechner, Todd Niehaus (Kim), Clint Niehaus (Jill), Bryan Baysinger, and Jared Baysinger.

We will all miss Brandon deeply but remember him in the most loving way, commemorating him every time we look towards the heavens.

The family has decided to have a celebration of life for Brandon in the spring at a location where his ashes will be spread so he can rest everywhere in his beloved earth. We are currently developing a website about Brandon. In the meantime, please visit https://bit.ly/3pAb4ae to sign up for the email list for updates regarding the spring celebration.

To honor Brandon’s memory, the family encourages donations to the WaterWheel Foundation at https://phish.com/waterwheel/