Thomas M. Brundrett - May He Fly With The Eagles!

(Photo by Linda (Cash) Meikle)
A great man died last week and was buried as he preferred to live - without pomp and circumstance.

Tom Brundrett was a 'friendly presence' in our home for several years when I was the Berrien Springs correspondent for the Herald-Palladium in the 1980's as Linda Cash. Tom was the Region Editor and my contact at the newspaper 24/7.

This is the obituary that ran for him today (July 23, 2008). My comments follow...

Thomas Brundrett ST. JOSEPH — Thomas Brun­drett, 71, of St. Joseph passed away at his home and surrounded by his wife, pastor, grandchildren, great­grandchildren and friends on Tuesday, July 22, 2008, and waiting for his Lord. A Celebra­tion of Life service will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, July 25, at Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Road, St. Joseph, with Pastor Roy Cas­tlebuono and Pastor Dan Augsburger officiating. Burial will follow in Riverview Cem­etery. Visitation is from 6 to 8 p. m. Thursday, July 24, at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to St. Joseph Sev­enth- day Adventist Church or Hospice at Home. Friends wishing to send a condolence message online may do so in the guest book at www.starks­menchinger.com. Tom was born on Dec. 25, 1936, to William and Myrtle (Gallo) Brundrett, in Pitts­burgh, Pa. He served his country in the United States Army and was honorably discharged on July 31, 1967. He worked at The Herald­Palladium for 39 years and prior to that he worked at the South Bend Tribune. He was a member of the Elks and the Masons. He enjoyed sports, was a Cubs fan and a Little League coach. Later in life, Tom be­came a member of the St. Jo­seph Seventh-day Adventist Church. He was a prayerful man who enjoyed reading and studying the Bible and being with his grandchildren. He is survived by his wife, Charon of St. Joseph; three sons, Rick (Rose) Brundrett, Tim (Connie) Brundrett, Todd (Julie) Brundrett; four grand­children, Sarah, Emma, Noah and Jacob; four stepgreat­grandchildren; and a special friend, Yvonne Echeverria He was preceded in death by his first wife, Betty Ann, his parents and two brothers.

"Tom Brundrett" is mentioned in my memoir, "Dusty Angels and Old Diaries" several times including this comment... "I couldn't have been such a successful correspondent without my long-suffering, chain-smoking editor, Tom Brundrett."

I hadn't heard from or about him in many years but still sometimes think of him and my experiences with the newspaper when I hear the wailing sirens of a firetruck because, as the Berrien Springs Correspondent 24/7 for over 5 years, I had to grab my camera and run anytime day or night when the Berrien Springs-Oronoko Township Fire Department got the alarm. After covering the emergency event, I'd call Tom at home to let him know the story (and film) was coming in. My family often gave him the call as I ran out the door to alert him of my response and possible story-in-progress..

He was a great teacher - for those who wanted to learn. I think he loved computers more than most people back when I worked closely with him. For many years Tom had a business in his home called, "Home Computers". It will never be known just how many novice computer entrepreneurs were given a gentle nudge into cyberspace under Tom's persistent tutelage.

As Managing Editor, Dave Brown said of him in the news article of his passing , "He wanted just the facts, ma'am". You could bet he would "cut' the fluff. Correspondents were paid by the word, so of course we "fluffed" our stories but the readership rarely saw those extras.

Several memories come back when I think of stories I did. Remember the "Hands Across America" event? I went on assignment to cover an area where people were lined up along the road including my family in this one. When he growled a little at my work, I was confused. "You don't take pictures of people's backside," he said. Most of my "Hands Across America" pictures showed the back of the line. I never told him it was because my kids were in the pictures!

Another time, I was asked to do a story on a man who had AIDS back when it was still a taboo subject and surrounded by misunderstanding. He didn't want me to go because (I think) he thought I might "catch it". I assured him as a nurse I felt quite comfortable going to the man's home to sit and discuss the subject. But Tom wouldn't hear of me going alone. He accompanied me on the interview - perhaps thinking that would keep me from getting AIDS.

I could (and should) write a book about the many stories I covered as a correspondent who covered the emergency system, the school system and local government. Just a few days ago I found the large file box filled with stories and pictures from those horrific years as a Herald-Palladium Correspondent. Tom was behind every story taking no credit as he rewrote open-ended paragraphs, edited my misuse of the English language and often gave me more credit than I deserved.

Because of my experience with Tom under most every conceivable circumstance, I like to think I met the 'real guy". When council meetings or school board meetings lasted until wee hours of the morning, he sat at his desk at the H-P waiting for the last word - and then felt free to ask me to call a public official to confirm a quote.

He answered his phone at home at unearthly hours of the night and urged his correspondents out when an emergency occurred in his jurisdiction. Then called us repeatedly with outlandish questions up until the moment of deadline the next morning to make sure we got the story right.

His most happy hours were election night when the results trickled in all night long. He came to work coffee mug and cigarettes in hand prepared to follow the election trail for the next 24 hours!

He was writing a novel "after hours" at the time, but didn't tell very many people. (He didn't like rejection any more than the next writer!). I think I still have a copy of one that was rejected, but to tell the truth, the language was stronger than I could handle at the time. ha ha

Back then, Tom still enjoyed setting up a train set for his children (grown) at Christmas time in the living room window of his home. I'm not sure if it was a tradition that brought out the child in him or if was his annual birthday treat to himself (also on Christmas day).

It's really difficult for me to imagine Tom as a member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. I can't believe anyone was strong enough to pull him through the front door of any church. But Seventh-day Adventist? (Did he really quit smoking?) (Did he stop cussing and swearing as part of his everyday language?)

Tom was really good at heart, but most who knew him figured he would want to pass on the religion part. I wasn't 'blessed' with knowing Tom when he "got religion" but it really would have warmed my heart to know he found peace in his spirit and the love of his family before he left this world.

This is the article that the H-P ran on Tom after he died. It sounds more like the Tom I knew.

ST. JOSEPH
Veteran newsman Tom Brundrett is dead at 71
By JIM DALGLEISH
H-P City Editor
ST. JOSEPH — Tom Brundrett, a nearly 40-year fixture in The Herald-Palladium newsroom, died Tuesday at his St. Joseph Township home after a long battle with cancer. He was 71.
The Pittsburgh native joined The News-Palladium, an H-P forerunner, as a reporter in 1968. He was promoted to region editor in 1970, a post he held until 1991. He then became assistant region editor and troubleshooter for the newsroom computer systems.
He retired in September 2007. Herald-Palladium Managing Editor Dave Brown worked closely with Brundrett on the newpaper’s Region Desk for a number of years. He praised Brundrett’s work as an editor.
“Tom reminded me of Sgt. Joe Friday on ‘Dragnet’ – ‘Just the facts, ma’am.’ He didn’t tolerate unnecessary fluff in news stories. He just wanted reporters to stick to the facts,” Brown said. “He will be missed by our staff, both professionally and personally.”
He was known by colleagues for a characteristic laugh and a passion for computers.
Brundrett worked more than 50 years in newspapers, including stints with the Niles Daily Star and the South Bend Tribune.
The graduate of West Virginia Wesleyan College served two years in the U.S. Army.
He is survived by three sons, Tim, Todd and Rick, four grandchildren, and his wife, Charon.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Betty, in 2000.
His son, Rick, worked 12 years as an H-P reporter before leaving in 1998 to become a reporter with The State newspaper in Columbia, S.C.

Tom loved his country, his work and his family in a quiet honorable way.

Take Care on the Journey, Tom.
~Linda

Home: http://dustyangels.blogspot.com

Berrien Springs and Old Timers

Berrien Springs, Michigan, USA

It seems that new blog sites and underground bloggers from my hometown of Berrien Springs are ‘springing’ up all the time. My blog is screaming for a chapter about the small town in southwest lower Michigan where my boys grew up and where I worked as a nurse, covered all the news events as a newspaper correspondent, took the official portraits of the Miss Berrien Springs Queen Contest, photographed hundreds of weddings in Berrien County, volunteered at the Berrien County Youth Fair for the American Red Cross and finally, served as the Oronoko Township Clerk for eight years.

I sometimes wonder if anybody in the Berrien Springs/St. Joseph area asks the question, “Whatever happened to Linda Cash?”

When I was looking for someone to share the rest of my life with, I posted a message at Match.com in the Internet. Titled, "The Geese Are Ready for Winter and I Am Not," I soon met a true and loyal man from Columbus, Ohio. We were married 55 days later on November 23, 1997 at Waco Beach in Bridgman, Michigan. We located in Columbus, Ohio where he had a good job with the State of Ohio. We’ve been married for eight wonderful years. I’ve written the book I always wanted to write about finding my mother and am registered to start the LPN to RN bridge program in the spring!

During my 20+ years in Berrien Springs, we raised our two fine young boys, Billy and Philip. They attended Andrews Academy, Berrien Springs High School, Andrews University and the University of Michigan! My youngest son, Philip Cash still lives in Berrien Springs and currently teaches for the Benton Harbor Schools. (He's also a substitute teacher for other schools in the area.)

When I left Berrien Springs, I was working for Teresa Lucas who had hired me as her staff nurse and later as her administrator for the former, Teresa’s Country Homes where I worked in harmony with Marian Mendel and a great team of caregivers.

I also enjoyed my elected position as township clerk for two terms (1992-2000). Ernie Hildebrand ran the township show then as he does now. David Ladd was still at the realm as township treasurer. (Rest in Peace). Kate Hebner was/is an efficient office worker at the township hall and Ruth Kesterke kept my entire voter registration files standing at attention. Sue Colby (before she retired from the township) was a loyal office manager, true friend and supporter. Village President Jan Chaudior worked hard for my election to the township clerk’s post, as did many others in town.

The Herald Palladium in St. Joseph kept me busy 24/7 for almost eight yeas as the Berrien Springs Correspondent. I hardly ever missed a fire tone on the scanner day or night. As a reporter, Kathy and I attended every village council meeting, townshp board meeting and the famous school board sessions. Fire Chief Bruce Stover presented me with a fireman’s long coat to wear on those cold winter nights when I would stand by the firetruck’s exhaust to keep warm while taking pictures for the newspapers. Police Chief Jim Kesterke gave me an award for always taking care of the injured before getting the story for the paper. Several people are alive today because I climbed into a wrecked car to start CPR before the ambulance from Medic 1 arrived.

It's amazing how secrets and mystery remain alive and well in Berrien Springs. Be assured, not much has changed! School Boards were recalled and protests raged as they continue to do now. The Village Officials and Township Board Members had a mutual distrust of each other although there were a few golden years when Robert Pagel was the Township Supervisor. I worked both sides of the fence because I was an active member of the SDA church at Andrews University and also worked in the community. I worked many places as a nurse including (the former) St. Joseph Memorial Hospital, Niles as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) for the ambulance service and at Lee Memorial Hospital in Dowagiac. (I can say that name too). My in-home photography business flourished as Magic Moments Photography. Specilizing in weddings and catering to many friends and families who wanted family pictures, I'm sure many of my pictures are still sitting around in family albums there. Once I made a 20x30 portrait of all the Berrien Springs Firemen that hung in the fire station for several years. I wonder where that photograph is today?

A few days ago I was in Berrien Springs for the weekend to visit Philip and Shelley. My ex father-in-law also needed help because his wife was ill, and Marian is editing my book. I drove by the old house at 4876 Highland Drive and was thankful that the little flower garden that my son, Billy, planted in the front yard is still there.

Our old house on Third Street still has remnants of the flowerbed we built in front of the house! But, the pink rose bush by the telephone pole and the sweet fragranced lilac bush by the kitchen window are gone. The swings Billy and Philip used to play on are broken and rusted brown, but the tall pine tree they played under is even taller and healthy.

As I drove around town remembering all the old familiar places, I felt like a stranger peeking into windows. I wondered if Bea Herman still lives there. Is she still involved in the pageant? What ever became of so and so - I can't believe I've forgotten so many names! On my final day there, I drove to the back of the new municipal building. (Why didn't we put in a drive-around parking lot?) I was a part of its planning process! My initials should be stamped in some secret spot of the cement!

Lake Michigan down in St. Joseph still sends waves crashing onto the sand, and sea gulls squall as they rise up and down with the water. Memories of quiet times and pictures of the lake in the summer, winter, spring and fall fill my photo albums. Maybe I’ll use one or two in my new book, “Dusty Angels and Old Diaries.”

My old editor, Tom Brundrett, would growl at me for leaving the most important part of my story for the last sentence. I wonder if he’s still growling at some reporter who starts a paragraph with a number and takes pictures of people's backside.

Here’s that goodbye to all those who I didn’t say goodbye to. I have missed many of you and wished I could see you again. Hi and welcome to the newcomers. And yes please take note that in Berrien Springs, they will always mix religion with most any subject matter.

Did You Know This About Me?

I wanted to call this, "My Obituary" just to get your attention, but the idea got Jim unsettled and he said the boys wouldn't like it either. So, after some thought, I've renamed tonight's chapter.

The Terri Schiavo story is big in the news right now. Just yesterday her feeding tube was removed for the 4th time. Her husband who lives with another woman and has a least 2 children by this mistress, wants Terri to die because he insists that she would not have wanted to be kept alive with a feeding tube. Her parents are pleading for Terri's life and it's seems that the President of the United States may play a part on whether she has the tube or not. Congress is expected to vote on the case any minute now!

For the record, if life support would give me another chance to enjoy my family and friends then I'm all for it. But if a feeding tube and/or other support would just keep my body alive and I would have to be taken care of by other people, then please let me go in peace. I've taken care of enough people like Terri to know I would not want that, nor would I want my family to keep me that way. When I go, learn from me and remember some good things about me every once in a while.

I encourage everyone to think about what and who creates within you feelings of cheer and satisfaction. It occurs to me that I am the best person in the world to appreciate my past accomplishments, reflect on my brightest joys and plan my future goals. So, let's get started!

Becoming a Registered Nurse has always been an off and on goal. Even after being an LPN for 35 years, I still sign up at the local college for RN classes!. On the other hand, I'm such a good LPN that I'd never be an even greater RN. Just to walk across a platform in a graduation gown would be something I know I'd feel very good about.

I was surprised when I figured out that I've had less than 7 years of formal education? Grandma believed in holding a child back to start school until they were 8 years old and by the end of my second grade, grandma had us hidden way back in the Ozark Mountains where she proclaimed to be our teacher but we rarely spent an entire day under her tudor. When I was 16, I spent a few glorious months as a freshman at Ozark Academy in Arkansas. There I took flute lessons and was soon playing in the band. English was my favorite class! Grandma also ran a nursing home and my sister and I spent more hours than children were legally allowed washing dishes and pots and pans before and after school. I'll write more about Ozark Acadmey later.

We next moved to Laurelbrook School in Tennessee where I was placed in the 11th grade. Because Laurelbrook's high school diploma isn't recognized by the state, I took the GED after graduating from Laurelbrook to qualify for LPN school. I spent a busy year with a wonderful family in Dayton Ohio while I attended the Dayton School of Practical Nursing there. I was 18 years old and worked nights at Kettering Hospital to help pay my way through the LPN course. A lifelong thank-you to Kathryn and Bob Flood for providing this opportunity to me. I'll write more about that exciting but busy year too.

My really happiest moments are when I'm going to school, having to read books and take tests to challenge myself!
I regret that my education has always taken a back seat, because choosing what I want has always been difficult for me to choose. I'm usually helping others; cheering then on to what's next! I should have gotten more education because it's such a "high" for me and I would have made such good use of it. Maybe it will still happen. If I was rich, I'd spend more time in school!

While we lived in Michigan and the boys were small, I was a correspondent for The Herald-Palladium in St. Joseph, Michigan, I learned how it feels to be filled with ambition, confidence and purpose. Those eight years were crazy because I ran after every fire, accident and unusual event in our town 24/7 except when I was working as a nurse in another town. I covered town meetings and school board meetings as a reporter and could quote every word. I enjoyed writing about people and telling their stories. Police Chief Jim Kesterke, presented me with an award for always providing first-aid first before I brought out the newspaper camera! My monthly newspaper "string" was longer than most other correspondents' but Bill Cash was quick to point out that even a 17-foot string didn't make us very much money!

I couldn't have been a such a successful correspondent without my longsuffering, chain smoking editor, Tom Brundrett. He taught me everything about journalism and computers at the time. We spent so much time together that our spouses were jealous but they needn't have worried. I was known as a fair and honest reporter and was always respected by the officials in our town.

Teaching CPR for the American Red Cross and volunteering at special events in our county was exciting for me. I also worked closely with the firemen and policemen keeping them all updated in CPR. I don't think my teenage Billy appreciated my close association with the local police at the time, but he knew I was happy and looked forward to teaching those classes.

Photography developed from a sense of wanted to start my own business and make money at it. My diary reflects how scared I was to take that step to order the studio equipment. I remember the day it arrived, I cried because I thought I'd never be able to understand the f-stops and shadows and light placements. But, I became the best wedding photographer in the county and shared that business with Billy and Philip as they often helped me with setting up the studio and accompanied me on weddings. I still shoot weddings but have left the studio work behind for awhile.

Friends pushed me into studying for the Ham Radio license. I was sure I'd never pass something like that but wanted to enter into the world of electronics and Amateur Radio.. Today I'm proud of that license and plan to join a radio club in Columbus, Ohio. It can be a rather expensive hobby and I don't have much equipment but it's a fun experience I look forward to. I'm looking for a service oriented radio club.

Winning an elected position on our township and becoming the township clerk probably was the catalyst for my divorce from Bill Cash. As with most of my interests, he was usually quietly pessimistic and not overly supportive. I'm sure he thought I'd make a fool of myself by running against a lifelong incumbent for the township clerk position. It was many months of hard, hard work. I went to most every door in our town and depended on a very loyal election committee who advised me, made calls, passed out pamphlets, put up signs and in every way gave me unconditional support. We marched in the July 4th parade, attended pancake breakfasts and kissed a lot of babies (just kidding). I won a four-year term and another 4-year term the second time around. Billy and Philip are still in awe about my political experience.

About then I also took the Emergency Medical Technician Course (EMT) so I could volunteer for the local ambulance service. I considered becoming a Paramedic but discovered that my body mechanics were not good enough to protect my back while lifting heavy people and big stretchers. Working as an EMT was short-lived but I look back at that experience with satisfaction and pride.

My work with handicapped children at the county school for MRDD was very gratifying. For 5 years I was one of the nurses at Blossomland Learning Center in Berrien Springs, Michigan. I loved every child and knew each of the 250 little ones by name and history. They taught me about being positive no matter what the handicap, enjoying life no matter what the challenge, and the pure pleasure of little accomplishments!

I have a little picture on the wall by my bathroom lightswitch that says, "If I can't do great things, I will do small things in a great way." It really works for me! I appreciate knowing that with only a few months of formal lessons I can enjoy playing the piano, the organ, the flute and the accordion. I have books of published poetry and award-winning photography. I have traded on E-bay and learned how to post on the World-Wide Web.

It is beyond imagination what I would be doing today if I had 18-20 years of education like I helped provide for my first husband and children. Certainly I would not be working in a nursing home passing medications to the elderly, nor would I have a second job working 12-hour shifts for an MRDD facility where management is sporadic at best. My hourly pay would be far more than the pennies I make now, and I would be part of a creative team to help make whatever I'm doing far better than it was when I got there.

The best I can offer my jobs now is a cheerful attitude, dependability and error-free nursing.

Proof of what can happen if I'm given the opportunity to shine is my history with Teresa's County Homes in Berrien Springs. Teresa hired me as her floating nurse for the three Assisted Living Homes she owned there. Because Teresa is a very smart and talented businesswoman, the 40-bed homes prospered and she was able to move to sunny Florida and leave the day-to-day management of the homes to me. I was made the Administrator. I worked closely with her administrative assistant, Marian Mendel to keep the homes above census and site-free for several years. I really loved the employees, some of whom will read this story. Marian is a jewell of a woman. I appreciate the trust Teresa had in me and will never forget what I learned about being a good leader.

Above all, I am thankful for what I have now. My children cherish and love me and would be at my side in a moment if I called. My baby sister that I practically raised is a happily married woman in control of her destiny. The mystery of our mother has been solved. My husband today thinks I am more of an angel than I really am. He brings me purpose and vision. We look forward to the next 55 years with confidence, optimism and contentment.