David Edward Brandt, age 74, of Shepherd, passed away peacefully at his home on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, surrounded by his family.
David was born June 19, 1952, the son of Howard “Bud” Malcomb and Vera Agnes (White) Brandt. He was born in Cherry Point, North Carolina, at the infirmary of the United States Marine Corps Air Station, where his father was stationed at the time. His family later moved to Armada, Michigan, where Dave grew up and graduated from Armada High School in 1970. During his high school years, he participated in track, Ski Club, intramurals and the Senior Play, and also served as the school photographer.
Dave entered active duty with the United States Army in 1972. He attended cooking school and served as a food service specialist, including an overseas assignment in Hawaii. He was honorably discharged in 1975 and later moved to Mount Pleasant. He worked as a health aide at the State Home, which later became the Mount Pleasant Regional Center. Dave was also active with AFSCME, serving as union treasurer and traveling to conferences and conventions as part of that role.
In 1981, Dave began what would become one of the defining chapters of his life when he started driving bus for Shepherd Public Schools. For more than 40 years, Dave was much more than a bus driver. He became a familiar face to generations of students and families and an unmistakable fixture within the Shepherd community.
Few people loved Shepherd Public Schools and the Blue Jays more than Dave. Affectionately known as “Mr. School Spirit,” he was well known throughout the area for his charismatic outfits, colorful personality and unwavering support of Shepherd. If there was an opportunity to wear the Blue Jay colors, cheer on Shepherd students or show his school spirit, Dave was there.
His dedication to Shepherd went far beyond his work behind the wheel. Dave was a generous volunteer who gave freely of his time and developed an especially close relationship with the Shepherd cross country and track programs, helping the teams and supporting their athletes over many years. In the late 1980s, he brought another of his own passions to Shepherd by starting a Ski Club, giving students an opportunity to experience an activity Dave himself had enjoyed since his younger years. As snowboarding grew in popularity and snowboarders joined the skiers, the club evolved into what is now known as Shepherd’s Snow Club, carrying on something Dave helped begin nearly four decades ago.
Whether he was driving a bus, helping at a meet, cheering on an athlete, volunteering his time or simply showing up when someone needed him, Dave was always proud to be a Blue Jay. His willingness to serve was especially evident during the COVID-19 pandemic, when he helped with food deliveries and recruited other volunteers to help make sure families in the community were cared for. His enthusiasm was contagious, and his love for Shepherd schools and the community became an important part of who he was. Dave didn’t simply have school spirit—he embodied it.
Creativity was another thread that ran throughout Dave’s life. Long before “side gigs” were a thing, Dave had one of his own. From the mid-1980s through the 2000s, he decorated cakes for weddings, birthdays, retirements and just about any other occasion worth celebrating. Dave was artistic and creative, talents that were part of a family legacy. His mother, Vera, was also a talented cake decorator who taught continuing education classes in the craft and passed her knowledge and skills along to Dave. Over the years, Dave’s cakes became part of countless celebrations and special memories for families throughout the area.
Dave was a jokester at heart and loved making people laugh. He especially loved holidays and decorating, often using his creativity and colorful personality to bring joy not only to his family and friends, but to the community around him.
His interests were as varied as his personality. Throughout the different stages of his life, Dave enjoyed fishing, bowling, playing cards and crocheting. He loved being active and outdoors and especially enjoyed skiing, snowboarding and kayaking. Whatever Dave was doing, he had a way of making it his own and, more often than not, making it a little more fun for everyone around him.
Dave leaves behind a legacy that can be seen in his family, in the generations of students whose lives crossed paths with his, and throughout the Shepherd community he so proudly called home. For more than four decades, he drove its children, cheered for its athletes, volunteered his time, wore its colors and celebrated its successes. His larger-than-life personality, creativity, humor and unmistakable Blue Jay spirit will be remembered by the many people fortunate enough to have known him.
Dave is survived by his two children, Jamie (Bill) Wohlgamuth and Justin Brandt; three grandchildren, Alexis Brandt, William Wohlgamuth III and Willow Wohlgamuth; two brothers, Howard Michael (Susan) Brandt and Carl (Dr. Cynthia Sitchon) Brandt; niece, Elizabeth (James) Gallagher; and nephews, Nickolas Brandt and Marcus (Rachel) Brandt.
Dave was preceded in death by his parents, Howard “Bud” Malcomb and Vera Agnes (White) Brandt.
Cremation has taken place, and a celebration of Dave’s life will be held June 19, 2027 with time and location to be announced at a later date. Arrangements have been entrusted to Berry Funeral Home, Shepherd.
