Robert L. Brant Jr., aged 68, (Collegeville, PA), beloved husband of Diane L. Brant, passed away peacefully on October 23rd at Reading Hospital surrounded by his family. Bob and Diane met 50 years ago as freshmen at Ursinus College and recently celebrated their 44th wedding anniversary.
Bob graduated from Pottsgrove High School in 1973. He matriculated to Ursinus College (1977) where he earned his Bachelor's degree in History, discovering a love of the subject matter that lasted his lifetime with a particular fascination with the Civil War. Most recently, Bob was completing a personal interest project collecting and curating a history of the Brant family in collaboration with the local historical societies.
He went on to graduate from Temple University Beasley School of Law (1984) and became an accomplished and respected attorney, establishing Robert L. Brant and Associates, LLC. A member of the Montgomery County Bar Association, his practice concentrated in the areas of zoning, land use, real estate, municipal and business law, and related litigation. He served as solicitor to zoning hearing boards, municipal authorities, and municipalities, including Boroughs and Townships. Bob was an Emeritus Trustee of Ursinus College, a member of the Board of Directors of Gilmore & Associates, Inc. and The Victory Bank.
Bob had myriad interests. His eclectic taste in books, music, art and wine never left him at a loss for words or a friend with whom to share his passions. His collection of vinyl records, accrued from over the years, filled his home with vibrant lyrics from diverse artists and genres. From jazz to rock, and blues to alternative country, he and Diane attended hundreds of live concerts with their best friends and fellow audiophiles Pete and Marcia.
As a younger man, Bob played tennis and pick-up basketball at Ursinus College, off-handedly referred to as the commissioner of the noon-time basketball game. On any given summer weekend, you could find him sitting on the front porch of his home in Ocean City, New Jersey donning his signature Adidas windbreaker, sipping on a bourbon, and blaring reggae music through open windows while his grandchildren laughed and played in Pop-Pop’s company.
Bob is survived by his three children Robert (Jenna) Brant, Sarah (Joseph) Mirabile, and Alison (Daniel) Monzo and five grandchildren Davis, Nico, Genevieve, Madison and Miles; his brother Scott (Lisa) Brant, nieces and nephews, cousin Lori (Stephen) DeMarco as well as the matriarch of the Brant family, Aunt Betty Hoffman.
Family, friends, and colleagues are invited to a Celebration of Life at the Berman Museum of Art on the campus of Ursinus College on Friday November 17th from 11:00AM-1:30PM. As a former chairman of the “Friends of the Berman Museum of Art Committee,” Bob would be delighted to know that those who loved him most will gather in a space that he held so dear.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to the Limerick Township Historical Society 545 W. Ridge Pike, Limerick, PA 19468 or the Trappe Historical Society.