Ronald 'Ron' Gene Brandt

Ronald "Ron" Gene Brandt, 72, passed away at home in the arms of his spouse and soulmate on Wednesday, June 27, 2018, in Bozeman, Mont.

A Celebration of Life is planned for 1 p.m., on Saturday, Aug. 25, at the Grace Bible Church in Bozeman.

He was born June 10, 1946, to Ivan and Elizabeth (Funk) Brandt in Glasgow, Mont., and he graduated from Nashua High School in Nashua, Mont. After high school, he moved to Columbia Falls, Mont., briefly working for a local lumber company. He then moved to Helena, Mont., to work at the Husky service station where he met his wife.

After a brief courtship, he married Karen Meier on Dec. 17, 1966, in Helena, and they had two children. He enlisted in the Montana National Guard just before his marriage to Karen and obtained the rank of Sergeant (E-5) prior to receiving an honorable discharge on June 10, 1971.

He worked for Lincoln Mercury in Helena and had various other jobs from 1964 to 1970. From 1970 to 1978, he worked for Meadow Gold Dairy as a delivery driver. He was then promoted and transferred to Bozeman to become the manager from 1978 to 1995. After relocating to Bozeman in 1979, he and Karen began personally constructing their dream home. In 1995, he started his own vintage automobile restoration business under the name of RK Classics, where he was the sole proprietor until his passing.

He was a volunteer sheriff's deputy and firefighter, served as a safety inspector for National Street Rod Association and was a member of the Montana Street Rod Association. He was also an assistant Boy Scout leader for Troop #649 in Belgrade, Mont., during which time he attended the XV World Jamboree in Alberta, Canada. While serving as a Scout leader, he was inducted into the Order of the Arrow as an honorary member.

His current passion was constructing motorized Lego vehicles and kits. He enjoyed watching Nascar and his favorite driver, Justin Allgaier, drive the Brandt sponsored car. He attended many Nascar races in Las Vegas, Nev., and it was the highlight of his spring. After some health issues at the age of 50, he purchased his first Harley Davidson motorcycle. He loved riding his Harley Davidson with his wife and travelled to the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally seven years in a row. He loved listening to polka and gospel music and spending quality time with Karen watching Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives.

Ron was passionate about restoring vintage automobiles, traveling, outdoor cooking, and spending time with his family and grandchildren. He was self-taught on the guitar and accordion and learned how to fly a plane. He travelled twice to Europe and Germany, twice to Disney World, and three times to Legoland, both in Florida and California. Last year, he took an Alaskan cruise in celebration of his and Karen's 50th wedding anniversary. Recently, Ron enjoyed a Hawaiian vacation with his son and family. His last major trip was to Alabama to watch his daughter retire from 20 years of service in the United States Army.

He was preceded in death by his father, Ivan Wayne Brandt.

He is survived by his wife, Karen Brandt; mother, Elizabeth Brandt; one son, Dan (Theresa) Brandt, and their children, Nick and Zack; one daughter, Kari (Jon) Hadley, and their children, Seth, Erich, Teresa, Ethan and Alan; two sisters, Dixie Shephard and Virginia Steffenhagen; and four brothers, Don, Dean, Michael and Tim Brandt.

Arrangements are in the care of Dokken-Nelson Funeral Service, http://www.dokkennelson.com .