Tim Branstetter
1948-12-19 2023-07-13
Tim Branstetter passed away with grace on July 13th at 5:15pm at the age of 74. He was a larger than life man with a boisterous laugh and a positive attitude. He always brightened up a room with his wit and heroic attitude.
Tim was born in Nebraska and at a very early age his parents Ralph and June moved to Colorado. It was there that his love for the outdoors and skiing began. After years of working the slopes, and odd carpentry jobs in the off season, he found his way to Vermont. It was on this trip when Tim fell in love with the Green Mountains. Tim signed up for the US Coast Guard where he met Dwight Porter (Porter Music Boxes) and found himself visiting central Vermont more and more frequently. He served in the Coast Guard for several years and eventually settled in Bethel, Vermont. Tim built his house with his own hands, on Christian Hill road, worked at Bethel Mills Lumber for 30 years, and in his free time built sets and props for Chandler Music Hall, all while raising four children and a stepson. Tim was instrumental in Chandler's renovation and was very active in his community.
He was a Rotary Club member, wrote for the Herald newspaper, was a school board member, and was always looking for ways to improve his community. He was also an avid golfer, fine woodworker, and a very good storyteller. You may have seen him dressed as Santa Claus riding around on top of a fire truck handing out gifts to the children of Bethel. He met the love of his life, Beau Benson, and moved to Sharon where they designed and built a dream house with a pond. The 20 years he and Beau spent in Sharon was full of love, cookouts, pond days, and time spent with their children and five grandchildren. He even built a 50-ft water slide for all the children (and inner children) to enjoy. Beau and Tim recently left the Green Mountains and moved to Murrells Inlet, South Carolina where they enjoyed the ocean, seafood, and fishing in a handmade 16-ft skiff that Tim proudly built.
Tim is survived by his wife Beau Benson; his children Courtney Bowen, Joshua Branstetter, Kate Branstetter, Patrick Branstetter, and Sam Benson;
his grandchildren Wilder Bowen, Henson Murdough, Sawyer, Levi, and Rowen Benson; and his sisters, Chris Higbee and Jane Watrous.
Tim would want anyone reading this to go outside, make a friend, make something with their hands, call a loved one, and tell a story to those who are willing to listen.
He will be missed greatly.
Tim was born in Nebraska and at a very early age his parents Ralph and June moved to Colorado. It was there that his love for the outdoors and skiing began. After years of working the slopes, and odd carpentry jobs in the off season, he found his way to Vermont. It was on this trip when Tim fell in love with the Green Mountains. Tim signed up for the US Coast Guard where he met Dwight Porter (Porter Music Boxes) and found himself visiting central Vermont more and more frequently. He served in the Coast Guard for several years and eventually settled in Bethel, Vermont. Tim built his house with his own hands, on Christian Hill road, worked at Bethel Mills Lumber for 30 years, and in his free time built sets and props for Chandler Music Hall, all while raising four children and a stepson. Tim was instrumental in Chandler's renovation and was very active in his community.
He was a Rotary Club member, wrote for the Herald newspaper, was a school board member, and was always looking for ways to improve his community. He was also an avid golfer, fine woodworker, and a very good storyteller. You may have seen him dressed as Santa Claus riding around on top of a fire truck handing out gifts to the children of Bethel. He met the love of his life, Beau Benson, and moved to Sharon where they designed and built a dream house with a pond. The 20 years he and Beau spent in Sharon was full of love, cookouts, pond days, and time spent with their children and five grandchildren. He even built a 50-ft water slide for all the children (and inner children) to enjoy. Beau and Tim recently left the Green Mountains and moved to Murrells Inlet, South Carolina where they enjoyed the ocean, seafood, and fishing in a handmade 16-ft skiff that Tim proudly built.
Tim is survived by his wife Beau Benson; his children Courtney Bowen, Joshua Branstetter, Kate Branstetter, Patrick Branstetter, and Sam Benson;
his grandchildren Wilder Bowen, Henson Murdough, Sawyer, Levi, and Rowen Benson; and his sisters, Chris Higbee and Jane Watrous.
Tim would want anyone reading this to go outside, make a friend, make something with their hands, call a loved one, and tell a story to those who are willing to listen.
He will be missed greatly.