Brandon Michael Langsdale
It is with great sadness that we announce that Brandon Michael Langsdale, of Hampton Township, Pennsylvania, passed away at the age of 25 after yet another courageous battle against Vascular Ehler’s Danlos Type IV. On his last day, February 23rd, 2025 (and many of the ones before), Brandon was surrounded by a roomful of the people closest to him, and an immense amount of love.
Born in Sewickley, PA on the 1st of April, 1999, Brandon was the son of Kevin Michael Langsdale and Paula Langsdale Shook (Brinzer). He is survived by his mother; his second father, Jeffrey Shook; and his siblings Matthew (21), Sarah Kate (19), and Lily Grace Shook (4). He is also survived by his maternal grandmother Linda Brinzer; maternal great aunt Paula (Lance) Gordon, paternal step grandfather Howard McClellan; uncles Ray and Bill (Emily) Brinzer; Aunt Chris (Will) Parish; and cousins Johannes and Astrid Brinzer (Aunt Felabi), Jared Brinzer, and Henry Batiz. He is also survived by his step grandfather Mel Shook, and step uncles Dave and Mike (Lola) Shook and many extended Langsdale relatives who always supported Brandon from afar.
Brandon was preceded in death by his adoring father, Kevin Michael Langsdale; his paternal grandparents, Roger Langsdale and Ruth McClellan; his maternal grandfather, Raymond Brinzer (Jinglan); his step grandmother Cecilia Shook, and his much adored (and also gone much too soon) cousin Katie Parish.
Brandon loved technology and exotic cars; he was fascinated with how things worked, and was always thinking of what new possibilities they presented. Holidays and gatherings were favorites for Brandon – especially when they included lots of food, family, and fun! Brandon loved music as well, particularly techno-rap, and often handed people his headphones to listen to a song. Brandon also enjoyed, and is already greatly missed by the family’s two Goldens, Jack and Camper.
Brandon would regularly talk about hypercars with his good friend “Mr. Mark” and anything and everything else with our close family friend “Miss Brenda” – both who traveled across the country to visit with Brandon during his last days. Brandon enjoyed vacations to the beach, camping trips – especially to Kelleys Island or anything involving his Aunt Chris and Uncle Will, or pretty much anywhere else where his family and honorary family members gathered (who were affectionately referred to as “his people”). He also loved his many “Monte Cello’s lunch dates” with his grandma, Aunt Paula, Uncle Lance, Miss Patty, and her husband Carl.
Brandon was quick to tell you he loved you and always showed he cared through quality time spent talking… and talking, and talking some more. While always loving, caring, and sharing, Brandon often also had something snarky to add to almost any conversation, much to the delight of his siblings and cousins and often the annoyance (and sometimes secret amusement) of his parents. He will be deeply missed, and always remembered, by those who knew him best.
Brandon’s whole family owes a deep debt of gratitude to the doctors and other staff at UPMC Presbyterian Hospital, who worked long and tirelessly to treat Brandon. Of particular note is Dr. Raquel Forsythe, who took a personal interest in Brandon for years, and who once came in to operate on Brandon on her day off because she knew she was his best chance. Truly, some superheroes wear doctor’s coats, not capes. Brandon had some amazing doctors and nurses too – especially those from Presby Unit “6FG”.
Memorial donations may be sent to BELOvEDS, an organization that provides college scholarships to students who are living with vEDS or who have family members with vEDS. Brandon’s sister, Sarah Kate (an avid scholarship hunter), received a very much appreciated scholarship from them in the fall to help her with her educational expenses, and this scholarship was very meaningful to her for all of the right reasons (A vEDS diagnosis affects entire families in unmeasurable ways). Checks can be mailed to: BELOvEDS, A Nania Foundation Inc., 50 Charles Lindbergh Blvd, Suite 501, Uniondale, NY 11553; https://belovedsfoundation.org/donate. Kindly send any pictures that you may happen to have of Brandon to: langsdaleshook@gmail.com, 3142 Westwind Drive Allison Park, PA 15101).
A private family celebration of life will be held later for Brandon; we will all work to honor his life and legacy throughout the rest of our own lives. Brandon, while you are now safely in God’s loving arms, please know that you will forever remain in our own hearts.