David L. Braendle

Braendle, David L. Bay City, Michigan Mr. Braendle passed away Sunday, February 2, 2014 at McLaren Bay Region following a long illness. Age 80 years. He was born March 2, 1933 in Ionia County, MI and was raised in small communities in central Michigan. He learned the printing trade in father's weekly newspaper and commercial printing plant in Carson City, MI. He taught in the medium security Correctional institution in Ionia as part of educational training. Dave started his teaching career in 1955 in the high school from which he graduated. He joined the Bay City Public Schools in 1959. He was a member of The Evangelical Free Church. He graduated from Carson City High School, Carson City, MI 1950, received his B.A. in Journalism 1954 from the University of Michigan, his M.A. in School Administration and Guidance 1959 from Michigan State University and completed his post-graduate work at Central Michigan University. Dave was the Director of Secondary Education, Bay City Schools, 1986-1990, Adjunct Faculty, Saginaw Valley State University, Fall 1988, Director of Instruction, Bay City Public Schools, 1978-1986, LEA and Director of Indian Education Programs, Bay City Public Schools, 1978-1990, Administrative Contact for Bilingual Programs, Bay City Public Schools, two years, Western High School, Bay City Public Schools, Assistant Principal 1973 - 1978, Michigan State University, Summer Journalism Instructor, 1961-1970, American Bankers Association, English Instructor, three terms, Bay City Junior College and Delta College, Adjunct Faculty English Instructor, Central High School, Bay City Public Schools, Assistant Principal 1971-1973, Central High School, 1959-1971, teacher of Journalism and English, Director of Student Publications, Chairman of English Department, Carson City High School, Carson City, MI, 1955-1959, teacher of English, Journalism, Social Studies, Spanish and directed all student publications, Carson City Gazette, Carson City, MI, reporter, editor, printer through 1959. He was a member of the Phi Delta Kappa, Bay City Association of School Administrators, Michigan Association of Secondary School Principals, Career Education Planning District Council of Advisory Committees, Journalism Education Association, National Association of Secondary School Principals, Michigan Association of Supervision and Curriculum Development, Michigan Interscholastic Press Association. Michigan and National Councils of Teachers of English, Columbia Scholastic Press Association and many others. Throughout his life he received many honors which include; Regents Scholarship, University of Michigan, Kappa Tau Alpha, Journalism Honorary, University of Michigan, Outstanding Graduate in Journalism 1954, University of Michigan, National Newspaper Fund Grant, Wall Street Journal, 1961, Runner-up National Journalism Teacher of the Year 1964, Runner-up National Journalism Teacher of the Year 1964, Newspaper Fund Golden Pen Award, Michigan Interscholastic Press Association 1969. The following are many of his achievements ; Directed a journalism program that produced a nationally recognized and award winning bi-weekly student newspaper, the Centralia, Created New English Curriculum at Central High School that eliminated the traditional tracking program (general vs. academic) that locked students into tracks that restricted their educational progress, Was successful in promotion and implementation of Duel Enrollment Program and procedures that allow high school students to enroll in college classes and receive credit, both from college and the high school. Dave Spearheaded the adjustments to the grading and calculations of Grade Point Averages used to assign honors at graduation, giving greater recognition to those more challenging courses, thus motivating students to take the more difficult courses. Developed and added a structured Independent Study course to the high school curriculum. Contributed to the educational planning and architectural designing of Western High School and served as Assistant Principal when the new school was opened. Designed procedures for students, parents and counselors to plan student class selections and chart their curriculum such that their studies would lead more directly to identified potential careers. He packaged the program in Individual Educational Planning Packets. Totally redesigned, rewrote and updated the Policies and Procedures for the Bay City Board of Education, separating basic policies from administrative procedures. On June 28, 1953 he married the former Betty J. Johnson and she survives his passing along with one daughter; Sandra "Sam" Braendle of Bay City, one son and daughter-in-law; Michael "Mike" and Stephanie Braendle of Bay City, four grandchildren; Andrea and Matt Birmingham, Chad and Stephanie Staskiewicz, Nathan Braendle and his friend Jessica Meylan and Jon and Jade Braendle, three great grandchildren; Elijah, Connor and Lyla, several nieces and nephews and his special friends; Leo and Shirley Grocholski. He was preceded in death by one daughter; Debra Staskiewicz Funeral and Committal Services will take place Friday, February 7, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. at the Evangelical Free Church. Officiating will be Pastor Greg J. Langley with private interment in Oak Ridge Cemetery. Friends may call at the Gephart Funeral Home, Inc. Thursday from 2:00 to 5:00 and 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Mr. Braendle will be taken to the church on Friday to lie in state from 10:00 a.m. and until the time of service. In lieu of flowers memorial cards for The Evangelical Free Church will be available.