William Robert "Bob" Brandes, 88, of California, MD died February 5, 2009 at St. Mary's Hospital. Born June 3, 1920 in Hoboken, NJ, he was the son of the late William Herman and Charlotte Kamena Brandes.

He was the loving husband of Mary Edith "Boots" Hardie Brandes whom he married on October 9, 1947 at St. Mary's Episcopal Church in Arlington, VA.

Bob was faithful in saying "Happy Anniversary" on the 9th day of each month in observation of their marriage. In addition to his wife of 61 years, he is survived by his daughter Patricia Anne Yochim and her husband Thomas W. of California, MD as well his granddaughters Nicole Marie and Alyssa Claire Yochim, both of California, MD.

He was preceded in death by his sister Dorothy Anne Dermody of Carlisle, PA.

Bob graduated from Stevens Institute of Technology in June 1941 and received a degree in Mechanical Engineering and a commission as Ensign in the U.S. Navy. He was a veteran of WWII, having served on active duty in the U.S. Navy from July 1941 until March 1946, at which time he was released to inactive duty with the rank of Lt. Cdr. He worked as a Stationary and Marine Diesel Engine Field Engineer for Fairbanks Morse and Co. from March 1946 until May 1951. He was employed by the Navy Department Bureau of Ships in May 1951 with the position of Marine Reciprocating Power Plant Development Engineer and worked for the Navy until his retirement in December 1976, at which time he was a Supervisory Mechanical Engineer and head of the Fleet Support Section in the Internal Combustion and Gas Turbine Engines Brach of the Navy Ship Engineering Center.

A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, February 11, 2009 at 1:30 PM in the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, Leonardtown, MD. Contributions may be made to Trinity Lutheran Church, 46707 Shangri-La Drive, Lexington Park, MD 20653.

Arrangements provided by Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home.