Howard S. Brembeck

Howard S. Brembeck, 100, of Atlantis, Florida, and Goshen, died Sunday, December 5, 2010, at Goshen General Hospital. He was born February 9, 1910, in Wabash, to Paul and Hulda (Speicher) Brembeck.  He married Myra Katherine Bates on October 3, 1933 at the home of her parents in Urbana, Indiana.  She died March 28, 2001. He is survived by a daughter, Caryl Brembeck (Byron) Chocola of Hobe Sound, Florida; two grandchildren, Kelley Chocola (John) Logan of Harbor Spring, Michigan and J. Christopher (Sarah) Chocola of Bristol; three great-grandchildren Kaitlin Logan of Jupiter, Florida, and Caroline and Colin Chocola, both of Bristol; and a sister, Ardis Brembeck Witkoske of North Manchester, Indiana. He was preceded in death by three brothers, Winston, Cole and Paul “Bud” Brembeck. Mr. Brembeck was a world leader and innovator in the manufacture of agricultural equipment.  He founded and was chief executive of CTB., Inc.  He also founded Fourth Freedom Forum and the Oakwood Christian Academy and authored several books.  He built and supported the Oakwood Inn in Syracuse, Indiana.  He contributed generously to church and Christian educational institutions. In 1991 CTB and the National Broiler Council honored Brembeck for his 60 years of excellence and innovation in the poultry industry, calling him a “great pioneer and leader of the industry.” In 1997 Brembeck was inducted into the Greater Ft. Wayne Business Hall of Fame for his outstanding contribution to industry, business, and the community. He was honored with the Indiana State Poultry Association’s Golden Egg Award in 2004. In 2007 the First Presbyterian Church in Goshen presented him with the “Living Waters” honor. Brembeck served on the Board of Directors of Goshen Hospital, the Goshen Hospital Foundation, the Elkhart County Community Foundation, and other charitable and service organizations. He was a founding member of the Elcona and Maplecrest Country Clubs. In 1982 Brembeck founded the Fourth Freedom Forum, a nonprofit, nonpartisan, private operating foundation focused on promoting international cooperation through the power of trade. The Forum, which is headquartered in Goshen and now has offices in Washington, DC; New York, and in Europe, derives its name from Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s vision of the four freedoms. The fourth is freedom from fear, freedom from the threat of war and weapons of mass destruction. In May 1993 Brembeck was awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from Manchester College by then President A. Blair Helman in North Manchester, Indiana. The citation for the award read: “Business leader, manufacturer, innovator, humanitarian, philanthropist. Howard S. Brembeck has achieved a distinguished record, excelling in each of these areas.” In addition to his honorary degree Brembeck and Myra, a Manchester College attendee, were awarded Manchester College’s Citation for Responsible Philanthrophy in 1980 in recognition of their substantial contributions. In 1996 Howard built the Oakwood Inn on Lake Wawasee as a hotel and Christian retreat center. In 1999 he founded the Oakwood Christian Leadership Academy, a summer training program for teenagers to develop Christian leadership skills rooted in the life and teachings of Jesus. Brembeck wrote six books: Making Nuclear War Impossible (1984); The Alternative to Nuclear War (1985); The Civilized Defense Plan (1985); In Search of the Fourth Freedom (2000); and What a World! What a Life (2001, sequel in 2003). Friends may call 9 to 10 a.m., Saturday, December 11, 2010, at First Presbyterian Church, Goshen, where a 10:00 a.m., funeral service will be conducted by Pastor Alan Griffin. Burial will follow in Violett Cemetery, Goshen. Memorial contributions, in lieu of flowers, may be given to Fourth Freedom Forum,