Obituary

Richard Charles Brandon, 79- born Oct. 13th, 1935 passed Feb. 21st, 2015. Beloved wife of 59 years Maryann (Dony) loving father of the late Dawn (David) Williams, April (Lee) Holtzman, Melody (Brad) Blackburn, Forrest (Kimberly), Franklin (Janet), cherished grandfather of 14, and 3 great grandchildren. Dear brother of (late sister) Lillian (Arthur) Lauer. Very close Cousin Robert (Joyce) Brandon. Loving son of the late Elmer and Helen (Kasprzyk). Myriad of friends and associates.
Program Director of the Logan Square Boys Club, Program Director and Executive Director of the Neighborhood Boys and Girls Club. Founder of Bright Dawn Home Spread (10/13/2001), Plymouth Wisconsin with a “Can Happen Spirit”. Buddhist Meditation Leader at the Buddhist Temple of Chicago, Second Unitarian Church of Chicago, Lake Street Church (Evanston), and under the auspice of the American Buddhist Association at schools and universities. Spiritual leader of Heartland Sangha, President of the Buddhist Temple of Chicago. President of the American Buddhist Association. Activist marching in peace rallies, artist and calligraphist, humanitarian, worked for social justice. Corresponded with inmates and provided Buddhist books and materials, and was involved in Chaplin work.
Ordained Lay Minister (Rev. Koyo Kubose) spiritual teachers studied under Rev. Gyomay Kubose, Rev. Sunnan Kubose, Toni Packer, Thich Nhat Hanh to name but a few. Given Dharma names; Zenyo- Meditating Sun and Tam Cam Lo- Nectar of the Heart.
Fan of the Chicago Cubs, White Sox, Bears, Bulls and Black Hawks.
At his request remains donated to the University of Chicago Medical School. Memorial Services Saturday, March 28th, 2015 at Lake Street Church 607 Lake St. at Chicago Ave. in Evanston, IL. Visitation with family at 1:00 PM with the memorial service beginning at 2:00 PM.
Memorial donations to the charity of your choice, or Bright Dawn Home Spread, 4524 N. Richmond St. Chicago, IL 60625 to continue Richard’s stewardship in meditations and retreats, or The Neighborhood Boys and Girls Club 2501 W. Irving Park Road Chicago, IL 60618 where he worked for 36 years.
Richard, you left us with “Beautiful Memories.”