Stephen Clark Brandt, 77, passed away peacefully among family on Wednesday, October 18, 2023.

Steve was born to Walter Clark Brandt and Ann Jewell Rouse on July 8, 1946. He spent his childhood in Huntingdon and Charleston, WV and graduated from Charleston Catholic High School where he lettered in football and basketball. Steve attended the University of Notre Dame on a ROTC scholarship, earning a bachelor's degree in business administration in 1968. Following graduation, he served in the US Marine Corps as a helicopter pilot, flying CH-46 helicopters in Vietnam from 1970 to 1971. "Big Dog" was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, Navy & Marine Corps Medal, and Air Medal while flying combat missions in Vietnam. Steve returned to NAS Whiting Field as a flight instructor before transitioning to the Marine Corps Reserves. He retired as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1989. He received his master's degree in health systems and hospital administration from Tulane University in 1978. Steve enjoyed a successful career as a healthcare executive serving as administrator of several hospitals, including Woodland Heights General Hospital in Lufkin, TX and North Florida Regional Medical Center in Gainesville, FL. Later, he served as Division Vice President for the Tampa Bay Division of Hospital Corporation of America, Regional Vice President for HealthTrust, Inc., and Senior Vice President of Operations for OrNda HealthCorp. After a brief retirement, he was named President and Chief Executive Officer of Columbia West Florida Regional Medical Center in Pensacola.

Steve enjoyed working cows at his ranch in Montana, Marine Corps reunions, Pensacola Beach, and big meals with friends and family.

He is preceded in death by his parents; his former wife, Julee Jambon Brandt; stepmother, Babe Brandt; stepbrother, Chip Dudderar (Linda); stepbrother, Greg Dudderar; as well as stepsister, Dian Hamilton (Herb).

Survivors include his two children, Judson Clark Brandt and Anna Brandt Louy (Stephen); his grandchildren, J. Clark Brandt, Jr., Charlotte Ann Brandt, Ellison McCall Sizemore, and Mary Brandt Sizemore; as well as his stepsisters, Catherine Duda (John) and Jody Dudderar (Bernardo).

A private graveside service for family and close friends will be held at 2:30pm Wednesday, October 25, 2023, at Barrancas National Cemetery, with full Marine honors. A funeral cortege will depart Harper-Morris Memorial Chapel at 2:00pm.

Following the private graveside there will be a reception for all friends at the Pensacola Country Club from 3:15pm to 5:00pm.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Semper Fi & America's Fund, www.thefund.org/donate