Henry Andrew Brendel

    Henry (Hank) Andrew Brendel, former resident of Orinda and Pleasant Hill, passed away peacefully on February 8, 2025, in Walnut Creek at the age of 93.  Hank is preceded in death by his wife Amy, to whom he was married for 67 years.  Hank is survived by his sons Bart, Eric, and Alex, his daughter Marla, and his granddaughter Shauna Stahlman, who all miss him very much.

   Hank was born in St. Louis, MO.  During high school, his family bought a farm in Bourbon, MO where he went to school and attended mass at Holy Martyrs of Japan Catholic Church.  He joined the Navy after high school, earned the rank of Petty Officer 2nd Class, and was awarded the United Nations Service Medal, the Korean Service Medal, and the Good Conduct Medal.  His aviation electronics training in the Navy provided the necessary skills for his civilian career at the University of California Berkeley, Lawrence Radiation Lab, where he worked and retired from after 35 years.  Not long after retiring, Hank and Amy moved to Pleasant Hill, where Hank served as president of his homeowner's association for many years.

    From his childhood on, Hank was an avid baseball player and fan.  While living in Orinda, Hank played on the Santa Maria Catholic Church men's softball team and also coached many years in various boys' baseball leagues such as Bronco, Pony, and Colt. 

    Hank and Amy were active members of Santa Maria Church, volunteering their time in many activities, and later, Christ the King Church in Pleasant Hill.

   The service and interment will be in Bourbon, MO, at the Holy Martyrs of Japan Catholic Church.