Dirck Lowe Brendlinger

Dirck L. Brendlinger died April 19 at his home in Harrisonburg. He leaves behind Carole, his loving wife of 46 years, four children, seven grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. He was a beloved radiologist who made his patients’ comfort and peace of mind a priority and who inspired those around him to always do their very best. In his 86 years, Dirck achieved many things: his Temple University soccer team won the 1952 NCAA championship; he became a helicopter pilot and a doctor during his 13 years of Army service, rising to the rank of Lt. Colonel; an avid runner, he organized several community runs for charity; he built a 14-foot catamaran in his garage at the age of 70; he wrote a novel called An Insubstantial Man; he played classical piano his whole life; and, after serving as Chief of Radiology at Burlington County Memorial Hospital in New Jersey, he went into private practice for 24 years in Richmond, Va., growing the practice’s 1100 patients to nearly 5,000, many of whom travelled hundreds of miles to continue seeing him. Dirck’s kindness, humor and strength of character came from a set of core beliefs: take advantage of every opportunity, you are responsible for yourself, you’ll win a few, you’ll lose a few, but what really matters is how generous you are with the people you know and love. A memorial service will be held May 20, noon to 2 p.m. at Woody Funeral Home, 1771 N. Parham Rd. in Richmond.