Carl Brandhorst

Dr. L. Carl Brandhorst
May 21, 1929 - October 9, 2014
MONMOUTH - Carl Brandhorst was taken to his heavenly home suddenly on October 9, 2014, while vacationing in Show Low, Arizona. He was born to Dr. Carl T. and Louise A. (Koeneke) Brandhorst at home in Bremen, Kansas on May 21, 1929, the fifth child and first son of nine children. Carl taught in Lutheran schools for 15 years. He was drafted into the Army, where he served with the Third Division as a mechanic and tank driver in Korea. He continued his education at the University of Nebraska where he completed a Master of Arts degree and a Doctor of Philosophy degree.
He returned to Concordia Teachers College, Seward to teach summer school where he met his wife, JoAnn Degner, who was a member of the faculty.
Carl accepted a position as Assistant Professor of Geography at Oregon College of Education beginning September, 1967 and retired from Western Oregon State College in 1994 as a Professor of Geography. He was a popular, demanding teacher who enjoyed his classes, his subject and his students. Carl was a recognized expert on the Great Plains, irrigation and the cultural limestone landscape of the central states. He published research in scholarly journals and delivered original papers at professional society conferences. A yearlong Postdoctoral Associate at the University of Georgia, where he studied irrigation in the Southeastern U.S., was a career highlight. In 1986, Carl was the founder and proponent of the Oregon Geographic Alliance which was selected as one of seven initial inductees into the National Geographic Alliance; he was the first coordinator. He received the NCGE Distinguished Teaching Achievement Award for outstanding teaching. His selection as a Fulbright Summer Seminar participant in Bangkok, Thailand in 1985, followed by a Fulbright Exchange Professorship at Mahidol University, led to many friendships and a deep love for the people and geography of Thailand. He returned 17 additional times to enjoy the company of friends in the warm and beautiful tropics.
Carl was a lifelong man of faith. He was baptized into the Lord Jesus Christ in infancy (LCMS) in Sylvan Grove Kansas and confirmed in his youth in Seward, Nebraska in the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. He was a member of Faith Lutheran Church, Monmouth for 47 years where he served in almost every capacity. He was active at the Northwest District level as a member of the Board of Directors for nine years. He was a churchman who gave witness to the grace of the Lord Jesus.
Carl leaves JoAnn, his wife of 51 years; two sons C.T. II of Monmouth and John M. of Aurora, four sisters, Adeline, Olivia, Ellen, Charlotte, two brothers, Dr. Curt, Mark., 22 nieces and nephews and many of the next generation. He leaves a host of dear friends of all ages and walks of life.
Committal with Military Honors, Willamette National Cemetery in Portland, Oregon, Thursday, October 23, at 3:00 pm. Memorial service Monday, November 3, at 11:00 am at Faith Lutheran Church in Monmouth, Oregon, with a lunch following. Memorial contributions may be made to Faith Lutheran Building Fund or charity of choice. Memories and condolences at FarnstromMortuary.com.