Howard Edward Brandenburg

Howard Edward Brandenburg, long-time resident of West Palm Beach passed away peacefully in Thonotosassa, FL on April 27, 2022 at the age of “only 89.” He was born December 22, 1932, in Birmingham, AL. to Will Dee (Hayes) and Judson Alvin Brandenburg. As a youth, Howard was born again while attending the Calvary Baptist Church in Birmingham with his family.

He graduated from Phillips High School class of 1950 and attended Howard (now Samford) College in Birmingham before he married Bettye J. Linderman in 1952 and went to work for Hayes Aircraft shortly thereafter. In 1959 he moved his family to Huntsville where he worked for Redstone Arsenal. Two years later, the family moved again to West Palm Beach. Howard was employed by Pratt Whitney Aircraft/United Technologies as an expeditor, eventually retiring from there.

In West Palm he attended Victory Baptist Church for many years and was very active in the Orchid Society of the Palm Beaches. He served a term as president of the Orchid Society and went on many orchid hunts into the Everglades over the years. In 1982 he married Thelmalee Cornwall, his second wife of nearly forty years. Both he and Thelmalee enjoyed raising orchids, displaying them in orchid shows, and tending to their garden at home. They were always generously sharing their knowledge – and plants of all kinds – with neighbors, friends and family. “Tlee” is currently in Hospice care at an ALF in WPB.

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his four older brothers, Alvin, Paul, Homer, and Kenneth and their wives. He was also predeceased by his first wife (and mother of his two children) Bettye J. Brandenburg.

He is survived by his wife, Thelmalee Brandenburg and stepson, Christopher Cornwall (and family) of West Palm Beach. Also survived by a daughter, Connie Nelson and her husband, Eric of Seffner, FL and their sons, Eric Jr. (Sara), Alan (Caroline), and Andy (Kelley) – all residing in the Tampa area - and a son, J. Edward “Ed” Brandenburg of Tallahassee, along with Ed’s sons, Keith (Abigail) of Birmingham, AL. and James of Orlando, FL. Howard also has four great-granddaughters and four great-grandsons (Tampa area and Birmingham) and many loving nieces and nephews in and near Birmingham AL.

A private family gathering will take place at a later date. If you like, please consider planting a few flowers in your garden, or maybe a tree, in memory of Howard E. Brandenburg – and then enjoy a bowl of your favorite ice cream (his was “just plain vanilla”) and “just a few” cookies.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.WellsMemorial.com for the Brandenburg family.