Kern County CA Obituary Project Obituaries.....Brandt, Henry F.  March 1, 2005
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K T bluewolf@onemain.com March 6, 2005, 7:26 pm

The Bakersfield Californian 
Henry F. Brandt
10/6/1908 - 3/1/2005

Services: Mon., Mar. 7, 11:00 a.m. 

Henry F. Brandt, who owned New City Cleaners at 1021 8th Street in Bakersfield 
for 42 years, died peacefully on Tuesday, March 1, 2005 at Memorial Hospital. 
He was 96. 

He was born in Jansen, Nebraska, on October 6, 1908, the fourth of eight 
children. In 1922, his parents, Peter T. and Helena Brandt, moved the family 
to Reedley, California where they settled on a fruit farm.

Mr. Brandt chose the dry-cleaning profession early in life. At age 16, he 
worked part-time at his uncles cleaners in Reedley. Five years later, in 1929, 
he came to Bakersfield to work for Sanitex Cleaners. In 1944, his lifelong 
dream was achieved when he purchased New City Cleaners. Mr. Brandts philosophy 
toward dry-cleaning was always, A total commitment to high-quality work and 
all the additional time and expense it takes to produce it. 

Henry pioneered many innovative changes that are now universally accepted in 
the cleaning establishment. In 1955, he replaced all of the original belt 
driven equipment with power operated machinery, he purchased the first drapery 
machines installed west of the Rockies in 1966, and oversaw the consolidation -
 under one roof - of the five stand-alone buildings on the property. 

He served on numerous professional boards, including the California Fabricare 
Institute from 1971 to 1975. In 1991, the California Drycleaners Association 
recognized his statewide leadership in the profession by naming him Drycleaner 
of the Year. 

In 1982, the production area of the cleaners was destroyed by a child 
arsonist. Typical of his perseverance, the cleaners reopened seven weeks 
later. 

On the occasion of the 75th Anniversary of New City Cleaners, the mayor of 
Bakersfield presented an official proclamation honoring the company for its 
longevity and commitment to the community. 

The love of his life was Esther Viola Wiens whom he married on June 5, 1932. 
They shared a personal and professional relationship that lasted until her 
passing on January 12, 2003. New City Cleaners was sold to their grandson, 
Jarrell Epp, in 1986.

Few of lifes enjoyments escaped him. On their wedding day, he promised his new 
bride that they would celebrate their Silver Anniversary in Hawaii and 
specifically that they would have dinner at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel. A man of 
strength and integrity, he kept his 25-year-old promise on June 5, 1957. He 
and his wife loved to travel and made numerous trips across the United States 
to attend national dry cleaners conventions. 

In addition, they traveled to many European cities, including a visit to 
Amsterdam for the 7th World Conference of Mennonite Churches. Other trips 
included Singapore, Puerto Rico, Nova Scotia and Middle East countries. As 
members of MEDA, Mennonite Economic Development Associates, they worked with a 
group of Christian business people from across the United States in the 
creation of small businesses in foreign countries. They were assigned to 
assist the natives of Bogota, Columbia.

He was very active in civic, charitable and church affairs, feeling a strong 
need to give back to the community. Brandt was a founding board member of the 
Kern View Community Mental Health Center now Memorial Center. He was the first 
Chairman of the Board, and served in that position for 9 years. Brandt also 
served 3 terms on the Bakersfield Rescue Mission Board. In addition, he was a 
board member of the Salvation Army, Cancer Society, Red Cross of America and 
Good Will Industries. He was the oldest living member of the Rotary Club of 
Bakersfield. 

Mr. Brandt is survived by his son, Gary Brandt and his wife Marjorie of 
Norwalk, Connecticut; a daughter, Sandra Epp and her husband Werner of 
Bakersfield; a brother, Vern and his wife Olga of Reedley, California. He was 
blessed with three grandchildren, Jennifer and her husband Steve of Lubbock, 
Texas, Jarrell Epp and his wife Amanda of Bakersfield, and Michael Brandt and 
Oriana Anholt of Boston, Massachusetts; and six great grandchildren, Elizabeth 
and John Michael Lanham, and Jaston, Jarrett, Alexa and Jenner Epp, and many 
nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m., March 7, 2005 in the 
Heritage Bible Church 2323, Mt. Vernon Avenue, following a graveside at 9:30 
a.m., at Hillcrest Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers the family requests 
donations be made to Haggai Institute, P O Box 13, Atlanta, GA 30370, an 
organization involved in Third-World Christian evangelism, or to the charity 
of your choice. 

Visitation will be Sunday, March 6, 2005 from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. at Hillcrest 
Memorial Park & Mortuary.


Additional Comments:
Volunteer submission - No relation to deceased.

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