After the passing of one of its own, a local business received a rush of support from the community to establish a meaningful memorial.
Herwig “Brandy” Brandstatter and his son Bernd Brandstatter, owners of Herwig’s Austrian Bistro in downtown State College, lost their wife and mother, Gundi Brandstatter, on Aug. 31. In lieu of flowers the Brandstatters asked for contributions to establish a bench and tree at Tom Tudek Memorial Park, and as of last week they had already reached their goal.
“We had never expected to actually get that much, Bernd said. “(Gundi) lived a great life and touched a lot of people in the community.”
Money from the Gundi Brandstatter Tudek Park Bench Memorial Fund will be used to put in a bench, and a tree to shade it, at the park. The Brandstatters will choose where in the park they’d like the bench to be placed, as well as what type of tree they want to accompany it, Bernd said.
“We’ve really had a huge pouring out from the community,” he said.
Herwig and Bernd chose the bench and tree because Gundi loved being outdoors.
One of her life passions was gardening, Bernd said, and despite having rheumatoid arthritis, she was an avid gardener.
Additionally, Tom Tudek Memorial Park was one of Gundi’s favorite places, Herwig said.
“She walked there practically every day,” he said. “Sunshine, snow or rain.”
Herwig said once the bench is put in, he plans to sit and enjoy it.
“She was such a good person,” he said.
According to her obituary, Gundi was born in 1942 in Bolzano, Italy. She married Herwig in 1971. She enjoyed hiking, playing piano, skiing and attending Opera performances.
The Brandstatters have lived in the Centre Region since 1982, and first owned Herwig’s at Tussey Mountain from 1982 to 1984. Their first downtown location for Herwig’s was on Fraser Street, and they’ve run the restaurants at its current location on West College Avenue since 2006.
The bench and tree were made possible through Centre Region Parks and Recreation. Click HERE for more information about Herwig’s Austrian Bistro.
