Robert was the first-born of 4 children to Robert Elton Brabant, Sr. and Delta Jean (Munro) Brabant. He was the first grandson on his father's side of the family and was loved by everyone who knew him. He was the oldest child in our family, I* was the youngest, and I was born on his birthday. Our parents always said that they started and ended their family on the same day!

He played the coronet and was also a very gifted artist. He painted with oil and watercolor, and drew portraits with charcoal. He was a popular boy in school and he and his brother Ben were most always together. He had a part-time job taking care of plants at a nearby nursury and always had time for me. The nursury was located next door to a drug store and he used to buy milkshakes for me whenever I went to visit him! He was a member of the U.S. Naval Reserves in high school and served aboard a ship and then enlisted in the regular Navy, in his senior year of high school. He was to report to the Navy one week following graduation.

About 3 weeks before his graduation, the whole family attended church on a Sunday morning. Following the service, he begged my parents to use the car, he wanted to visit his friend who owned a sailboat. My mom had plans for the day and didn't want to agree, but reluctantly, gave him the keys. Later on that afternoon, we were advised that he had an accident and was instantly killed. He had apparently dropped a cigarette, reached down to pick it up and ran off the road. Although he tried to turn the car back onto the road, the car slid through mud and hit an oak tree.

Robert was survived by both his parents, Robert, Sr. and Delta Brabant, brother Ben, and sisters Bonnie and Cheryl (Cheri). The shock was almost more than Mom could bear and he is still sorely missed by all of us. I often wonder who (if anyone) he may have married, would there have been children added to our family who never got the chance, what beautiful paintings never happened.

Robert lived his life displaying care for others and is remembered with honor and loss.

*Submitted to findagrave.com by Robert's sister