Raymond Arthur Brandes 83, beloved husband, father, uncle, and friend, went to be with the Lord on December 18. He was born May 19, 1925, to Raymond F. and Lillian C. (Braun) Brandes in Indianapolis. A Manual High School graduate, he received his bachelor's and master's degrees from the Indiana University School of Music, Bloomington. He was also a John Hay Fellow at Colorado College. He served in Stuttgart, Germany during the Korean Conflict. A cellist, he was a founding member of the 7th Army Symphony Orchestra. Ray taught instrumental music in IPS for 39 years, directing the Tech High School orchestra and serving as music department head at John Marshall High School, and in 1958 he was a Fulbright exchange teacher in Cambridge, England. He was a guest of the Queen Mother at a garden party in London that same year. Ray was a faithful member of Christ Lutheran Church of Irvington and served as church organist for more than 35 years. Well into his retirement, Ray continued to teach cello students privately, and several of his former students populate symphony orchestras across the United States today. His professional memberships included the American Guild of Organists, the American String Teachers Association, where he was a past president of the Indiana chapter, Music Educators National Conference, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia. Ray was renowned for his cooking and baking, love of travel, his humor, pride in his German heritage, and love of family and friends. He is survived by his loving and dedicated wife of 39 years, Peggy C. (O'Neill) Brandes, whom he met on a music fellowship at Rutgers University, and daughters Elizabeth and Andrea Brandes - the delight of his life. Other survivors include brother-in-law and sister-in law, Steve and Dawn Phillips of Belleville, Ill., nephews, Drew and Bart Phillips, and several cousins. His love and generosity were limitless and he will be dearly missed. Ray's music and life exemplified the words found on the compositions of, J.S. Bach: "Soli Deo Gloria" "to God alone be the glory." Visitation will be on Saturday from 2:00 to 6:00 pm at Leppert Mortuary, Nora Chapel 740 E. 86th Street in Nora, Indianapolis, and again on Sunday at Christ Lutheran Church of Irvington, 345 N. Kitley Avenue, Indianapolis, In., 46219, from 2:00 to 3:00 pm. The funeral will follow at 3:00 pm on Sunday at Christ Lutheran Church, Irvington. Memorial contributions may be made to Christ Lutheran Church of Irvington.
Raymond Arthur Brandes 83, beloved husband, father, uncle, and friend, went to be with the Lord on December 18. He was born May 19, 1925, to Raymond F. and Lillian C. (Braun) Brandes in Indianapolis. A Manual High School graduate, he received his bachelor's and master's degrees from the Indiana University School of Music, Bloomington. He was also a John Hay Fellow at Colorado College. He served in Stuttgart, Germany during the Korean Conflict. A cellist, he was a founding member of the 7th Army Symphony Orchestra. Ray taught instrumental music in IPS for 39 years, directing the Tech High School orchestra and serving as music department head at John Marshall High School, and in 1958 he was a Fulbright exchange teacher in Cambridge, England. He was a guest of the Queen Mother at a garden party in London that same year. Ray was a faithful member of Christ Lutheran Church of Irvington and served as church organist for more than 35 years. Well into his retirement, Ray continued to teach cello students privately, and several of his former students populate symphony orchestras across the United States today. His professional memberships included the American Guild of Organists, the American String Teachers Association, where he was a past president of the Indiana chapter, Music Educators National Conference, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia. Ray was renowned for his cooking and baking, love of travel, his humor, pride in his German heritage, and love of family and friends. He is survived by his loving and dedicated wife of 39 years, Peggy C. (O'Neill) Brandes, whom he met on a music fellowship at Rutgers University, and daughters Elizabeth and Andrea Brandes - the delight of his life. Other survivors include brother-in-law and sister-in law, Steve and Dawn Phillips of Belleville, Ill., nephews, Drew and Bart Phillips, and several cousins. His love and generosity were limitless and he will be dearly missed. Ray's music and life exemplified the words found on the compositions of, J.S. Bach: "Soli Deo Gloria" "to God alone be the glory." Visitation will be on Saturday from 2:00 to 6:00 pm at Leppert Mortuary, Nora Chapel 740 E. 86th Street in Nora, Indianapolis, and again on Sunday at Christ Lutheran Church of Irvington, 345 N. Kitley Avenue, Indianapolis, In., 46219, from 2:00 to 3:00 pm. The funeral will follow at 3:00 pm on Sunday at Christ Lutheran Church, Irvington. Memorial contributions may be made to Christ Lutheran Church of Irvington. 
