National Clothesline

Henry F. Brandt, who owned New City Cleaners at 1021 8th Street in Bakersfield, CA, for 42 years, died peacefully on Tuesday, March 1 at Memorial Hospital. He was 96.

He was born in Jansen, NE, on October 6, 1908, the fourth of eight children. In 1922, his parents, Peter T. and Helena Brandt, moved the family to Reedley, CA, where they settled on a fruit farm.

Mr. Brandt chose the drycleaning profession early in life. At age 16, he worked part-time at his uncle’s cleaners in Reedley.

Five years later, in 1929, he came to Bakersfield to work for Sanitex Cleaners. In 1944, his life-long dream was achieved when he purchased New City Cleaners.

Mr. Brandt’s philosophy toward drycleaning was always, “A total commitment to high-quality work and all the additional time and expense it takes to produce it”.

He pioneered many innovative changes that are now universally accepted in the cleaning industry. In 1955, he replaced all of the original belt driven equipment with power operated machinery; he purchased the first drapery machines installed west of the Rockies in 1966; and oversaw the consolidation, under one roof, of the five stand-alone buildings on the property.

He served on numerous professional boards, including the California Fabricare Institute from 1971 to 1975. In 1991, the California Drycleaners Association recognized his statewide leadership in the profession by naming him “Drycleaner of the Year”.

In 1982, the production area of the cleaners was destroyed by a child arsonist. Typical of his perseverance, the cleaners reopened seven weeks later.

On the occasion of the 75th anniversary of New City Cleaners, the mayor of Bakersfield presented an official proclamation honoring the company for its longevity and commitment to the community.

The love of his life was Esther Viola Wiens whom he married on June 5, 1932. They shared a personal and professional relationship that lasted until her passing on January 12, 2003. New City Cleaners was sold to their grandson, Jarrell Epp, in 1986. The company is marking its 95th anniversary this year.

Few of life’s enjoyments escaped him. On their wedding day, he promised his new bride that they would celebrate their Silver Anniversary in Hawaii — and specifically that they would have dinner at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel. He kept his 25-year-old promise on June 5, 1957.

He and his wife also loved to travel and made numerous trips across the United States to attend national drycleaners conventions. In addition, they traveled to many European cities, including a visit to Amsterdam for the 7th World Conference of Mennonite Churches.

Other trips included Singapore, Puerto Rico, Nova Scotia and Middle East countries. As members of MEDA, Mennonite Economic Development Associates, they worked with a group of Christian business people from across the United States in the creation of small businesses in foreign countries. They were assigned to assist the natives of Bogota, Columbia.

Mr. Brandt was active in civic, charitable and church affairs, feeling a strong need to give back to the community. He was a founding board member of the Kern View Community Mental Health Center, now Memorial Center. He was the first chairman of the board, and served in that position for nine years.

He also served three terms on the Bakersfield Rescue Mission Board. In addition, he was a board member of the Salvation Army, Cancer Society, Red Cross of America and Good Will Industries. He was the oldest living member of the Rotary Club of Bakersfield.

Mr. Brandt is survived by his son, Gary Brandt and his wife Marjorie of Norwalk, CT; a daughter, Sandra Epp and her husband Werner of Bakersfield; and a brother, Vern and his wife Olga of Reedley, CA.

He also had three grandchildren: Jennifer and her husband Steve of Lubbock, TX; Jarrell Epp and his wife Amanda of Bakersfield, Michael Brandt and Oriana Anholt of Boston, MA; and six great grandchildren, Elizabeth and John Michael Lanham, and Jaston, Jarrett, Alexa and Jenner Epp, and many nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to Haggai Institute, P. O. Box 13, Atlanta, GA 30370, an organization that is involved in third-world Christian evangelism, or to any other charity of choice.