Robert C. Brenzel, Sr., Lt Col USAF (Ret)

LOUISVILLE - Robert “Bob” Brenzel of Louisville, KY passed away peacefully on Wednesday, July 28, 2021, at the Robley Rex Veterans Hospital with family by his side.

Bob was a veteran of 14 years in the Kentucky Air National Guard and 19 and a half years in the Active Duty Air Force having enlisted at age 17 while a senior at high school. He was a civilian Air Technician for the Guard at Standiford Field from 1956 to 1959. He was commissioned in the Guard in 1961, called to Federal Duty in 1968 and deployed, as a Captain in Security Police to Tuy Hoa Air Base, Republic of Vietnam. Following Vietnam, he was accompanied by his family on assignments to Yokota AB, Japan; Clark AB, Republic of the Philippines, Moody AFB, GA, Keesler AFB, MS, Langley AFB, VA, Ramstein AB Germany, Vandenberg AFB, CA. Both Robert and Madeline were active in Catholic Chapel at all assignments as Sunday school teachers and liturgical ministers.

Bob was a graduate of Holy Trinity Grade School, St. Xavier High School (1954), Bellarmine University (1963) in Business Administration and the University of Southern Mississippi with a Masters in Criminal Justice (1977).

Upon retirement and return to Louisville, he was active in the Lyndon Elks Lodge, serving as Treasurer, Leading Knight, Exalted Ruler and Trustee. He was the Order of Elks of America Representative to the Robley Rex Veterans Hospital of Louisville Volunteer Committee from 1998 to 2010.

He was a parishioner of St. John Paul II Catholic Church and was an active volunteer in liturgical ministry at St. Barnabas Church in Louisville. Robert and Madeline were members of the Dixie Sounds square dancing club and loved traveling to visit their children and grandchildren.

Bob is survived by his wife of 59 years, Madeline, children: Rebecca (George Wethingon), Diana Lynn Brenzel-Radojevic (Zoran), Theresa, Susie, and Robert Jr. (Minoska), grandchildren, Liam, Ella, Lilly, Greta and Emilia; his brother John (Joyce) and many beloved nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents William Brenzel and Elsie Von Hoven Brenzel, siblings Bill (Helen), Patsy Wallace (John), Mary Catherine “Kotzie” Lentz (Joseph), Dorothy Speed and Jim (Janet).

The family would like to thank the medical team at Robley Rex VA Medical Center and all those who cared for him over the years.

There will be a memorial mass held at St. John Paul II Catholic Church at 11 a.m. on Friday, August 6, 2021, located at 3521 Goldsmith Lane, Louisville, Ky.

Expressions of sympathy may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project or St. John Paul II Catholic Church.