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- Don Brengman, seen in this 1944 photo, died Sunday at 85. The WWII vet served in the Army infantry and received two Bronze Stars.
By Jennifer Rice
Managing Editor
Throughout his life, Don Brengman was a family man, loved his country and always gave help, whether you asked for it or not.
For the past few years, as his wife Rose battled cancer, he was by her side. After 60 years of marriage, by Rose?s side was the only place he wanted to be. As their six children comforted and supported their mom through her disease, the children gave little thought that their dad might die before their mom. But that?s what happened.
While at home July 29 with Rose, Don suffered a stroke. He died a few days later, on July 31, at Central DuPage Hospital. He was 85.
Ed Brengman, Don and Rose?s second oldest child, said after having some time to process his father?s death, it makes sense he would go first.
?He had a type A personality,? said Ed. ?He didn?t trust anybody to do things right. We realized he had to go first, so he could get things perfect and just right for our mom.?
Two weeks ago, Don celebrated his 85 birthday with a party at Aurora?s Waidley VFW Post 468, where he was the past commander for six years, from 2003-09. Don planned that party as well. ?Like I said, dad just never trusted anybody to do things as well as he could,? Ed said with a laugh.
Don was all about ?God and country,? and unapologetically American, Ed said.
In October 1944, when Don was 17, he joined the Army. Within months, he was headed to Germany. An older brother, James, had already enlisted in the Army and was currently fighting.
Ed recalled a story his father had re-told, when by chance, both Don?s squadron and his brother James? squadron passed each other in a town in Germany. Don didn?t have an opportunity to seek out his brother.
?The way dad told the story, James was a runner ? delivering messages. While running, James heard somebody coming and ducked into a barn to hide,? recalled Ed.
With James hiding inside, the barn was hit with a mortar shell, killing James. ?My dad always regretted not going and searching for his brother. He could hardly talk about it,? Ed said.
Such stories are common with the men who fought in WWII. Brengman received two Bronze Stars. ?In those days, joining the service was an honor,? said Bobby Pemberton, Don?s brother-in-law. ?But Don got to go on Honor Flight, and that helped.? he said.
In 2009, Don flew to Washington D.C. aboard Honor Flight Chicago, a non-profit organization that flies WW II veterans, free of charge, to visit their memorial.
Don loved his trip. His children feel, in some ways, it was a way for their father to be paid back for all the good he did for others. ?Don would show anybody how to do their own work,? Pemberton said. ?You wanted to know how to do something, take it to Don Brengman.?
Mechanically inclined, Don started Don?s Lawn Mower Repair after his retirement from Austin Western. He loved working with engines and motors. That passion led to fixing bicycles, lawnmowers and cars.
Don?s knowledge of engines came in extremely handy when he was accompanying his newborn grandson to the hospital. The ambulance broke down. Instead of waiting for help, Don opened the hood, made the necessary repairs, and the ambulance was quickly back on the road.
Don and Rose?s oldest child, Deborah, said her father taught her children everything he could. ?My dad also loved to work with wood,? she explained. ?He made my son a frame with an inspirational saying and when he left for his first year of college, that was hanging on his wall.?
And that?s what family is all about.
Jennifer Rice?s e-mail address is Jen@foxvalleylabornews.com.
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1926 - 2011 (85 years)