David Brandt

David Brandt was born on December 10, 1918, the 4th of 6 children born to Carl and Catherine Brandt.

David grew up in the Globeville area of north Denver. In 1937 David met Lydia Schreiner of Fort Morgan, Colorado and they were married August 7, 1938. David and Lydia made their home in the Globeville area for the next 13 years during which time their marriage was blessed with the birth of two children, a son James and a daughter Deborah. The family then moved to a new home in east Denver where they lived for the next thirteen years before moving to the Teller Court home in Arvada in 1965.

David served in the 724th Railway Operating Battalion as a locomotive mechanic for the duration of World War II. Because of that training and his natural abilities, David was known as someone that could fix just about anything. He spent many hours of his life giving broken and discarded items a second life after he “fixed” it, usually with parts he recycled from other broken items.

David and Lydia owned and operated Brandt Rubbish Removal for many years. David decided to retire in 1970, but could not stay home and relax. He soon went back to work for Jefferson County Schools and eventually ended up in the trash business again, but this time for the school district as a supervisor. After retiring a second time, David and Lydia started doing recycling in Arvada. For many years they could be found driving around Arvada each day picking up newspapers, aluminum cans, and anything else that could be fixed, or recycled. This was his passion until December 2008 when he turned 89 years old. David could be found most mornings at McDonalds for breakfast and either Wendy’s or Taco Bell for lunch. He was known by many Arvada residents as the “paper man”. Neighbors often stopped to shop for parts or tools in David’s garage before heading to the hardware store.

The City of Arvada presented David with a CERTIFICATE OF RECOGNITION at the May 18, 1998 City Council Meeting. This was awarded in recognition of outstanding and unselfish service to the community for his long-time and continued efforts as ARVADA’S ORIGINAL RECYCLER”. This award has had a place of honor in his home since that time.

David moved to The Arbors of San Marino in January 2009 and lived there until he went to the hospital July 14th 2010. He could never understand why he could not have a small job at San Marino. He was just sure that if he could only work, he would regain his health, as he believed that work was what kept him going for so many years.

David and Lydia were lifelong members of 1st German Congregational Church in Globeville and later Heritage Community Bible Church when the congregation relocated in Arvada. David and Lydia both were very active members of the church, singing in the choir for over 40 years. David was moderator of the church for several years and had a very active part in the construction of the new church.

David was preceded in death by Lydia his wife of 68 years, his father Carl, his mother Catherine and his older brother Carl. David is survived by his son, James and his wife Kay of Highlands Ranch, Colorado; his daughter Deborah and her husband Ellsworth of Arvada; five grandchildren, Barbara Mondoux and her husband Chris of Dallas, Texas; Scott Brandt and his wife Julie of Richardson, Texas; Steven Hall and his wife Jodi of Lochbuie, Colorado; Kristi Nagy and her husband Robert of Loveland; and Chad Hall and his wife Jamie of Thornton; five great grandchildren, Matthew Hall of Caledonia, New York; Mason Hall of Thornton, Colorado; Caedon Nagy of Loveland, Colorado; Brendon Nagy of Loveland, Colorado and Lauren Brandt of Richardson, Texas as well as many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. David and Lydia quickly became adopted grandparents and great grandparents to two step-grandkids and five step-great grandkids. David’s surviving siblings are Lydia Prince of Boise, Idaho, Molly Frasier of Weiser, Idaho, Mary Hancock and her husband Simon of Albuquerque, New Mexico and Daniel Brandt and his wife Nona of Los Alamos, New Mexico.

David devoted his life to his wife and life long companion, Lydia, his family, his church and his friends. He will be remembered fondly and with loving affection by all who knew him.

David's visitation will be on Thursday at Crown Hill Mortuary from 4-8 p.m. The funeral service will be at Heritage Community Bible Church, 5615 W. 64th Ave., Friday, 10:30am, with interment to follow at Crown Hill Cemetery.