Arthur Frank Brandstatter, Jr. passed away October 20, 2023. He was born January 6, 1940 in Detroit, MI. Art grew up in East Lansing as the oldest of five boys born to Arthur F. and Mary Brandstatter, Sr. He met the love of his life, Patricia Edwards, in 3rd grade at St Thomas Aquinas Elementary School. They married on June 14, 1961, and just celebrated 62 years of happiness.
Art was an exceptional athlete, excelling in football, basketball and baseball earning All City and All State honors for 3 years. In 1958 he was named to the High School All American “Dream Team” and was the Lansing area Prep football player of the year. He and his brother John led the 1958 ELHS Basketball team to a State Championship.
In the fall of 1958, Art followed in his father’s footsteps and attended Michigan State University, playing four years of football and two years of basketball. In 1960 he led the football team in scoring and was an Honorable Mention All American Kicker/Tight End. Art was always proud that during his tenure as a Spartan football player, the team never lost to their archrivals Michigan and Notre Dame.
After college Art continued his love of competition and athletics. He had a positive impact on generations of young men while coaching the East Lansing Junior Trojans Football team for over 40 years. He was also part of the Spartan Football broadcast team for several years and served on the MSU Players Association Board. Art was inducted into the Greater Lansing Sports Hall of Fame in 1981 and was ranked at number 17 of the top 100 athletes from the Greater Lansing Area. After his induction into the hall of fame he served on the selection committee for the Greater Lansing Area Hall of Fame.
Art was a born salesman! After graduating from MSU, he began his career with Al Edwards Lincoln Mercury. He spent the last 30 years of his working life representing the Michigan Dental Association. As celebrated as Art was, it was rare for him to boast of his accomplishments. His achievements were never about him, he preferred to deflect the attention to his teammates, coaches and the people around him.
Art was an even better husband, father and friend. He was a dedicated family man who with his wife Patsy, served as a living example of a true marital partnership. He was a loving and supportive father whose actions exemplified every life lesson. Art and Patsy had an open door policy, and everyone was always welcome into their home.
Art was a lifelong and faithful Catholic who lived his beliefs every day. He had a deep faith that he quietly carried with him at all times. He was a gregarious and fun loving person who loved making friends with anyone, anywhere, from any walk of life. Art always said that he had never met a ‘stranger’.
He is survived by his loving wife, Patricia (Patsy) Edwards Brandstatter and their children
Patrick (Jane) Brandstatter, Brigit (Mark) Pendred, Katie Brandstatter Shelton, Nora (Matthew) Longthorne, Brian (Kristina) Brandstatter, Brody (Heather) Brandstatter; grandchildren,
Andrew (Sara) Brandstatter, Peter (Madeline) Brandstatter, Benjamin (Lauren) Brandstatter, Taylor (Taylor) Campbell, Jacob Pendred, Abigail Pendred, Emily Pendred, Anne Pendred, Cooper (Karen) Herstein, Bauer Herstein, Arthur Longthorne, William Longthorne, Elizabeth Longthorne, Isabella Brandstatter, Anna Brandstatter, Samantha Brandstatter, Brody Brandstatter, Jr., Charles Brandstatter, and Miles Brandstatter; and 9 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his brothers, Bob Brandstatter and Jim (Robbie Timmons) Brandstatter. He was preceded in death by his parents, Arthur and Mary Brandstatter, Sr. and his brothers John Brandstatter and Mike Brandstatter.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 am Wednesday, October 25, 2023 at St. Thomas Aquinas, with visitation from 10:00 am until the time of Mass. The Rite of Committal will follow at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes East Chapel from 5:00-8:00 pm Tuesday, with the Rosary prayer at 7:30 pm.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to the Arthur F. Brandstatter Sr. Endowed Scholarship Fund, University Advancement Spartan Way, 535 Chestnut Rd. Room 300, East Lansing, MI 48824-9902 or the Hospice organization of your choice.
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