Remembering Steve Brandt

Yesterday I received several emails from friends in different states, all wanting to inform me of the horrible news of the death of our friend, Steve Brandt, Head Swim Coach at Southwestern University. Steve was found dead in his home Thursday morning. He was 33 years old.

After the first few minutes of complete shock, and then overwhelming sadness for his wife, Ally, and for Steve’s family, memories of Steve and Ally came rushing back… and my eyes filled with tears.

Allison Brandt was my coveted and much loved All3Sports Teammate in 2003. Though she was several years younger, we became friends instantly. She, too, had been a swimmer and single-handedly dragged me, literally, to the pool many times to force me to swim. Thanks to her, I actually stayed in. I loved Ally’s fun-loving personality and optimistic nature. I admired her for it. But what I admired even more was her marriage. They were a perfect match.

Her husband, Steve, was a force of nature. He was Ally’s biggest fan. At our team races he would always be all over that course, screaming louder than anyone for her (and for all of us), getting her splits, instinctively knowing what she needed. They had met and dated in college, so they had that “short hand” communication that couples who know one another so well seem to have. I envied it, and envied how much he loved her. He was completely contagious, and without guile.

One of my favorite memories of Steve was right after I raced IMLP 2003. I had just had the race of my life, completely unexpected, placing 4th overall while still an age grouper. ? It was the following weekend and I showed up to race one of the team required Georgia “Tri the Parks” sprint races. It was still dark outside as I stood in the registration line on race morning. Out of the darkness in the huge crowd of people I heard this BOOMING voice, enthusiastic and full of energy, scream, “IS THAT MY HERO???!!!!” Within seconds Steve Brandt appeared, running to me at warp speed, with Ally right on his wheel. He threw his arms around me, and Ally dove onto both of us, the three of us in a lively, jumping hug. It was a sight to behold.

They were both so happy for me, and were genuinely proud of me — I will never forget how touched I was by their support. It is this scene, among others, that I close my eyes and recall when I think of Steve. He was one of a kind.
Steve Brandt: enthusiastic, passionate, noble, honorable, genuinely supportive, hard working … and deeply in love with his wife.

Steve and Ally moved to Austin, Texas in 2004 and had remained there.
My heart is broken for Ally; please keep her and their family in your thoughts and prayers. I can’t begin to comprehend the grief she and their family must be feeling.

If you’d like to sign Steve’s guestbook, the link is:

http://www.legacy.com/Statesman/Obituaries.asp?Page=LifeStory&PersonID=119013082

This entry was posted on Monday, October 20th, 2008 at 12:29 AM and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.