Richard “Rich” Alan Brendel left his earthly 5’12” relaxed muscle body on Sunday afternoon, October 23rd, before his daughters and wife had the opportunity to lecture him on his eating, boozing and cigar smoking one last time. Rich was a man that would give you the shirt off his back, most likely a Hawaiian one, or would tell you his whole life story, including every embarrassing moment in his daughters’ lives if you asked him, “How are you doing today?” He also had every tool known to man, but forget about touching them – he would buy you your own set before you used his.
Since their move from Charlotte to the Crystal Coast in May, Rich has lived the life he should have lived the last 61 years – cruising the Bogue Sound Yacht Club neighborhood in his beloved golf cart, jamming to rock and blues with his “black girlfriend” Bailey, Jordan’s black lab, in the passenger seat and a Dewar’s with a splash in the cup holder. He had discovered his love for crab pot fishing and daily water aerobics – which Ali swears was code for synchronized swimming. He took pride entertaining his new found friends and old buddies who visited their coastal home, ensuring there were plenty of ice cold “Hineys” in the coolers and at least 6 pounds of cooked meat and grilled veggies for each of his guests.
Rich had just started decorating his new “man cave” where he spent most of his evenings since he wasn’t interested in ever eating dinner as a family. The walls and shelves were complete with rugby paraphernalia from his 15 years of playing including his Charlotte Olde Originals Hall of Fame plaque, collage of photos of his treasured grandchildren, Groucho Marx glasses, his Bat Man mask, the 3 Stooges, Dr. Seuss books, loads of liquor bottles and 1,532 logo golf balls (you think we are kidding, we counted). For those of you who will miss is made up words like “beautimus” or his incessant Facebook shares about his hatred for Hillary Clinton and funny videos, you’re in luck. Rich’s average posting was 16 times a day – it will take you a lifetime to read through them all. We are sure that he left this earth purposefully before our planned Thanksgiving family photo so that he would not be forced to smile or be told he could not wear his tuxedo complete with cummerbund. Since Rich never met a stranger, his “Bigger Than Life” Celebration is open to the public except for Bob, he never liked you. The Celebration will be held at The Country Club of the Crystal Coast on Friday, October 28th at 12:30pm followed by heavy drinking, music and golf. He has left behind his nagging wife of 32 years, Joyce Brendel, bossy daughters Jordan Daniels and Alexis “Ali” Hammett, his 15-month-old sassy granddaughter Macon Lilly Daniels and 3-month-old linebacker grandson Eli Jonah Hammett. He has also left behind his two “could do no wrong” son-in-laws Devin Daniels and Jeremy Hammett, his fun loving Rugby family and that dang 1955 Ford F100 for his girls to have to figure out what to do with it.
The family request that in lieu of flowers, please make a contribution for his beloved grandchildren’s college education in Rich’s honor. Checks can be made to Joyce Brendel with the memo line ”Grandchildren’s college fund”. Checks can be mailed to Noe Funeral Service in care of Joyce Brendel PO Box 798 Beaufort, NC 28516. Condolences and life tributes may be sent to the family at www.noefs.org Arrangements by Noe Funeral Service, Inc. of Beaufort, NC.
There's still time to send flowers to the Celebration of Life at the Country Club of the Crystal Coast at 12:30 PM on October 28, 2016.

(noefs.org)