Dr. Robert F. Brandon; Former Councilman, Dentist

Dr. Robert F. Brandon, a retired dentist and former Burbank city councilman instrumental in the construction of the Burbank Central Library and the Golden Mall, has died of cancer at his Burbank home. He was 78.

A native of Bellevue, Pa., Brandon graduated from the University of Iowa School of Dentistry in 1936. He served as a dentist in the U.S. Army during World War II, at the rank of captain. After the war, he practiced dentistry in Westwood Village before settling in Burbank in the early 1950s.

His political career began in 1957 when he was appointed to the Burbank Park and Recreation Board. He resigned late the following year to run for the City Council, to which he was elected in 1959.

His eight-year tenure on the City Council was marked by extensive capital improvements, including the construction of the Burbank Central Library, the Golden Mall, the Castaway restaurant and De Bell Municipal Golf Course in Burbank, said former Mayor Dallas Williams. “He was a very quiet, capable and professional man,” Williams said. “I always knew where he was coming from; he stood there honestly. He was a gentleman.”

A supporter of rapid transit throughout Los Angeles, Brandon was appointed to the Southern California Rapid Transit District’s board of directors in 1964 and predicted in 1967 that the ultimate grid of freeways planned for the county “will make the area unlivable because of the smog . . . “

Brandon served twice as mayor, in 1961-62 and in 1966-67, leaving public office after he was defeated in his run for a third term.

He served on the board of directors of the former Magnolia Park Chamber of Commerce, as president of the Magnolia Park Optimist Club in 1955-56, treasurer of the Burbank Symphony Assn.’s board of directors, president of the Burbank Red Cross, and as a member of the board of directors of the Los Angeles City and County Health Board.

An Eagle Scout himself, Brandon was a scoutmaster in Burbank and was involved with the Burbank YMCA. During the 1950s, he played the drums in a local group called the Tone Deaf Five. He was named Citizen of the Year in 1956 by the Burbank Board of Realtors.

He retired from dentistry in 1970. An avid boat racer and member of the Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club in Newport Beach, he participated for 12 consecutive years in the Newport Beach-to-Ensenada, Mexico, yacht race during the 1960s and 1970s.

He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Ione Brandon; a daughter, Debra Brandon of Chatsworth; a brother, Dr. Frank Brandon of Philadelphia, Pa.; and two grandsons.

A memorial service is scheduled for 4 p.m. Sunday at the First United Methodist Church, 700 N. Glenoaks Blvd. in Burbank. Forest Lawn Mortuary-Hollywood Hills is handling the arrangements. Donations can be made in Brandon’s name to the St. Joseph Medical Center hospice program.