Manfred Brandt Obituary

You will always be remembered in my heart and honored every day by the work that I continue to do in the world.

Well, Manny, we sure do miss you. The Desert Willow that we planted to remember you in our front yard here in Tucson, Arizona is thriving, despite droughts and heat and climate upheaval. I remember your kindness each time I look out and see it there, Manny´s tree. The world could use a bit of energy from the other side right now. If you have any to send, please do. What the world needs now is love, sweet love, huh? Thank you for being you.

I have so many fond memories of being with Manny. When we entered the room to implement a diversity training he would introduce us as "The lady and the scamp will be working with you today". If it looked like we were facing a partially tough crowd he would say "If it gets though Deb I'll hold them down and you mess up their hair."
For over a decade Manny and I worked side by side. He was my safe place to land in the storm of racial Injustice. He taught me so much. The work has never been the same without him. He was my work husband as Gene ( my real husband) used to say. We both loved him dearly. I know that he is somehow still fighting the good fight and inspiring us from above. I still find myself asking " what would Manny have to say about all of this.....
Rest well dear one. You taught so many of us how to continue on with this work. And continue we will. We love you.

For over a decade Manny and I worked side by side. He was my safe place to land in the storm of racial Injustice. He taught me so much. The work has never been the same without him. He was my work husband as Gene used to say. We both loved him dearly. I know that he is somehow still fighting the good fight and inspiring us from above. I still find myself asking " what would Manny have to say about all of this..... "
Rest well dear one. You taught so many of us how to continue on with this work. And continue we will. We love you.

Manny when we first met in 1980 I didn’t know that I would have a lifelong friend. I learned so much from you about the power of acceptance and faith. You were a walking example of both. Rest well my friend.

Hi Manny, you where the human resource connection on Seven Springs. You led a lot us forward with you human experience. You led us in the experiment of our new life in the forest. You ran necked and we all followed with out embarrassment. Man, what a life we had.
You where a help in our struggle to deal with the feelings of “Open Marriage” we experimented with. We all lived in voluntary poverty, a the reality of never ending hard work, little money and the lack of privacy in our small cabins.
Manny my friend, I hope you knew that I visited you at time, when you where imprisoned in your parallelized body and mind, hoping that you felt that my friendship. Now that you are set free I cherish our old time together in the memories of you. Your old friend, Arrow

I was one of the fortunate people to have known Manny back in the 1970's when he and Sandra were creating an alternative community in the Ozarks--7-Springs. What inspiring people! When I think about those times and some of the good things that came out of the back-to-land movement, I see seeds being planted for some of the efforts going on today--and Manny was part of that. He was open, kind, and generous, and I'm fortunate to have known him. May his spirit linger on.

Manny meant so much to many of us over the years. He brought so much light and laughter into the lives of those around him. My condolences to his family and those who love him. Prayers.

Manny meant so much to many of us over the years. He brought so much light and laughter into the lives of those around him. I will miss him. My condolences to his family and all those who love him. Prayers and warm thoughts.

What I remember most about Manny was his smile, beaming, embracing, and kind; followed by his laugh, hearty, joyful, and inviting; and then his voice, deep, gravelly, calm, and soothing. He had a sparkle in his eyes. Having known him chiefly from the perspective of a young boy, I remember him to be wise and benevolent, someone who sometimes gently presided over our play, always game to join in the fun and merriment. Manny and Sandra Brandt’s house was a mythical place, high atop a hill, above rich garden flats far below, and a big pool with waterfall and smooth sandstone creek-bed where we spent many a summer day. Along the facing green, mossy bluffs, I would walk on a secret trail from down the hollow from time to time, to be baby-sat by Heather and Aarin, or to spend the night on a bunk next to Kivi, a cool big brother. My father loved and respected Manny, only ever having good things to say about him. I was sorry he could not be there when, along with my wife Christine, years ago—the next to last time I saw Manny—we dined together at a restaurant in San Francisco for a small reunion, with Arrow and Mikel, and Balin (Kivi) and Howie. Wearing a tie-dye shirt and pendant necklace, once blond hair and beard now fully white, regaling us with tales of his work as a diversity trainer, Manny was still the same—a sweetheart. The last time I saw Manny was at Balin and Howie’s wedding, when he expressed sadness at my father’s passing. We didn’t need to say much, but he held my hands firmly and looked into my eyes. My deepest condolences to Heather, Aarin, Balin, and Esha.

That’s a lovely obituary, Heather. Your family was one of the first we met when we came to the Ozarks and then became my closest neighbor. Your dad was special for sure. I last saw him in Boston when he was working at (I think) a women’s clinic, providing care to others. I have a couple funny stories, like when he insisted on riding my horse only to fall off and break his arm, or was it his leg? And the time he was enraged when my Ibizan hound scarfed a huge chunk of meat from the groceries your parents were carrying into the house from the car, the only time I ever remember him getting angry, short lived as it was. And he was a talented craftsman and carpenter, too. He was the hub of the community, and he was liked by everyone, for good reason. Manny and your mom shared you girls with me, which was so very special. I send much love and condolences to you and Aarin and your families.

Manny. His sweet soul and smiling eyes. I miss him dearly.
He was a wonderful father, always so much fun. I’ll remember his Manny-isms and funny - get you thinking- style. I love hearing stories from others about their memories of him...they put a big smile on my face during this rollercoaster of emotion.
2020 robbed us of being able to scoop him up from the care facility and take him out for the afternoon in the bus we got him. Those Sunday dinners we’d cook up, or let him pick carry out. He loved it, we loved it. Covid stopped all that. I was terrified of the realization that he could get it and die in a hospital so scared and alone. Thankfully Manny did not see that fate, and passed very peacefully surrounded by loved ones. For that, I am comforted. It was always going to be too soon... I miss you, Papa Bear.

Aarin Siler- daughter and friend.

To my Uncle Manny:
Thank you for teaching me to be a hu-man. You walked the path of the peaceful warrior, and kept a strict discipline wrapped in colorful chaos that was at once terrifying and inspiring. You challenged me to go deeper within, to examine the dark corners of my mind, and to live with a constant present perspective. You taught me about change and are on my Mount Rushmore of humans. There will never be another chief like you Papa Bear. Until we meet again on the other side, fair winds and following seas sailor. I love you.

Oh Manny. Who but you would host the birth of my daughter in your home, holding space for us and for the 28 who surrounded us with love, music, and peace in your cabin through those long cold hours of early March at Seven Springs — no electricity or running water! You gave all of us an opportunity to bond and to celebrate the birth of Maya Mae, and the coinciding birthdays of Joe and Jason who were so eager for newborn Maya to run outside and join the fun. Thank you for Seven Springs, for your generous heart, and most of all for your example. Your memory truly is a blessing. We will plant a tree here at our home in Tucson in your honor.

He was a powerful and gentle soul ... who devoted much of his time and talent to making this a better world foe all. I am honored and blessed to call him a mentor, colleague, collaborator, and friend ... and delighted to share the same birth date.