Gary Paul Brecht

January 25, 1944 – June 25, 2026

Brecht family lore says Gary Paul Brecht was born near a U.S. Army base somewhere in Mississippi on Jan. 25, 1944, to Paul and Francine Brecht while Paul was training for deployment to England with the 34th General Hospital. No birth announcement has ever been found in either Mississippi or Quad Cities newspapers, so we'll just have to take Gary at his word.

Gary grew up as a true river rat in Moline, Illinois—a Huckleberry Finn childhood filled with Mississippi River raft adventures, BB gun battles with the boys in the neighborhood and relentless teasing of his younger (and only) sister, Karen, who preceded him in death in 2002.

Gary loved the outdoors and literature in almost equal measure. He attended Western Illinois University in Macomb, where he earned a bachelor's degree in English and began graduate school with the goal of becoming an English professor. In 1967, he married Barbara Lynne Grant of Davenport, whom he loved and cared for until her death in February 2026.

During what was intended to be "a year off to find himself" in 1969, Gary was drafted into the U.S. Army. Instead, he found himself in the jungles of Southeast Asia as an M-60 machine gunner with the 101st Airborne Division in Vietnam. He spent the first half of his tour with Company D, 2nd Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment, before his commanders realized the older soldier behind the big gun was also an accomplished writer. He spent the remainder of his tour writing commendations for soldiers receiving military decorations.

After returning home, Gary and Barbara welcomed their only child, son Tory, in 1971.

Gary then began a 27-year career with John Deere, starting as a collections agent before moving into insurance sales, training and marketing with the newly formed John Deere Insurance Company. The family moved to Madison, Wisconsin, in 1974 and spent the next 14 years there. It was in Wisconsin—and nearby Minnesota—that Gary and Barb truly honed their fishing skills and deepened their lifelong love of the outdoors.

He spent a lifetime chasing fish, good books and good stories—and was happiest when at least one of the three was close at hand.

Gary is survived by his son, Tory; daughter-in-law, Richelle Smith-Brecht; grandchildren Celia and Spencer Brecht; nieces Molly Jacob (Matt) and Geni Grant; nephews Jonathan Finnegan (Mary) and Neil Grant (Susan); and sister- and brother-in-law Carol and Jerry Grant.

A graveside service will be held at 10:30 a.m. at Rock Island National Cemetery on the Rock Island Arsenal. To access the Arsenal without obtaining a visitor pass, family and friends are asked to meet at 10 a.m. at Runge Funeral Home, 838 E. Kimberly Road, Davenport, to join the funeral procession for the 10:30 AM Graveside Service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Vietnam Veterans of America.

Online condolences may be shared at www.rungemortuary.com.