William R. "Bob" Brandt

Remembrance

William R. “Bob” Brandt William Robert Brandt, known as Bob or Billy Bob by those who knew and loved him, came to Troop B, Zone 1, Macon, immediately after graduation from the Missouri State Highway Patrol Academy. Bob was a newlywed. His lovely wife, Phyllis (Skaggs), was from his hometown of Brunswick, MO. Trooper Danny Primm was his training officer. Trooper Larry Murdock also was assigned to Zone 1 in the spring 1968.

The three troopers—all in their 20s—became well known by the local would-be offenders for their tenacity in pursuing drinking and driving cases, drag racers, etc. The wives–-Phyllis, Barbara (Primm), and Charolette (Murdock)-–spent many evenings together with the Primm and Murdock pre-schoolers while their husbands kept the highways safe. They were very proud of the service their husbands provided to the community. They knew their husbands were always in danger. They discussed their worst fear would be to see the captain come to the door while The 35th Recruit Class graduated May 10, 1968.

Tpr. William R. Brandt, a member of the class, is standing on the back row, fourth from the left. their husband was on duty. But, all of them went about their daily lives, putting those thoughts out of their conscious mind. Bob and Phyllis were like an extra aunt and uncle to the kids. Bob had a large, electric train set he set up in the basement family room for the entertainment of the kids.

For years, they talked about how Bob loaded the little coal cars with peppermint candies. Strawberry pop was also a staple in the Brandt household. To top it off, the Brandts drove a really sharp looking red and black Camaro. No wonder the kids loved to be with them.

Bob even designed a miniature barn playhouse and helped Danny Primm build it. It still stands in the backyard of the Primm residence-–now 35 years old and enjoyed by the Primm grandchildren. Bob was known for his offbeat sense of humor. One example was that while driving through the countryside in the patrol car he saw a calf standing in a feed trough.

He said, “I think I’ll have to marvel at that!” Trooper Primm was surprised when he pulled to the side of the road, looked at the calf, and said “Marvel, marvel, marvel.” But, the flipside of the humor was an intense desire to serve the people of Missouri and the Highway Patrol to the very best of his ability. He took every case seriously.

Missouri lost one of its finest on June 12, 1970. (This article was written by Ret. Sgt. Danny Primm in 2005.) Trooper William R. Brandt, 23, was killed on June 12, 1970, when a tornado-like wind blew his patrol vehicle off the road into a concrete bridge abutment on Highway 36. Tpr. Brandt had been on storm watch alert in the Macon, MO, area when the incident occurred.

He was survived by his wife, Phyllis, and his parents, Mr. and Mrs. E.W. Brandt. On Wednesday, June 22, 2011, Troop B hosted a ceremony and reception to dedicate a portion of U.S. Highway 36, 1.7 miles west of the intersection of Route O, in Macon County, as the “Trooper William Brandt Memorial Highway.” Tpr. Brandt was the tenth member of the Patrol to make the Ultimate Sacrifice.