Henry Brandt, Jr. (Henk) passed peacefully on June 29, 2024 at home with his beloved wife and founder of the Sophia Institute, Carolyn Rivers. She lovingly cared for him throughout his courageous journey with an aggressive variant prostate cancer, one he wishes to bring to public awareness to advance research and medical treatment. He was lovingly supported throughout his journey by his family and Sophia community. 

Henk’s legacy is rich and varied. While in Charleston he returned to writing. He is the author of Sleeping with Sophia, a collection of poems, a spiritual memoir, and a daybook, Dharma Fortune Cookies. Henk is part of a new breed of speakers and authors who are working to bring soul and heart into the way we conduct ourselves in the world.  

A mindfulness counselor for fifteen years, Henk enabled his clients “to find the light inside the dark, to dwell on the frontier of unknowing and to engage in mature intimate relationships that are consciously committed to mutual growth.”  Henk’s innovative fusion of Western empiricism and Eastern wisdom offers a new vision for embodying dynamic growth at every level.  He was deeply called to this work and lovingly impacted the lives of the many people he worked with. He cherished his relationships with them and appreciated their support through his cancer journey. 

He was instrumental in founding The Sophia Institute, served on the founding Board and Faculty, offering workshops on mindfulness, poetry readings, and supporting the expansion of the work for twenty-four years.

He was lovingly supported throughout this journey by his children, Germaine Brandt Elkins (Phill), Rosalind Brandt Brownback (Peter), Henry A. Brandt, III and his granddaughter, Ginnie Elkins, whom he also cherished.   Also lovingly supported by his beloved sisters Joe Ann Brandt (Bill Wilkinson), Pamela Brandt (Clayton Doherty), Diane Brannen (Randy), Amy Brandt Brown (Derek) of Savannah, Georgia.  Rose Ann Brandt of Brunswick, Georgia and his beautiful nieces, Ashley, Emily, Madison, Morgan, and Rose and their families.  Also, by his sisters-in law Janette Moloney (Mike), Susan Clamp (Tom) and his niece Meredith (Chris) and nephew Christopher (Lacey) and their precious children.  

Henk and Carolyn deeply valued their friendships, too, enjoying hiking and birding, travel with them in the US and abroad and their many treasured visits with them. 

He was born in Charleston, SC of Henry A. Brandt. Sr and Ann Smith Brandt, grew up in Savannah,  spent his early adult years in Southern Pines, NC and returned to Charleston in 1998.  

Henk was an avid reader, loved learning, valued his inner life and developed it all of his adult years. He was also a life-long athlete and talented equestrian.