Benjamin Philip Brandau, 40, of Bridgeton Township, Upper Black Eddy, PA, passed away on Sunday, October 12, 2025 at his home.

Born July 19, 1985, Ben spent the first four years of his life in Point Pleasant, PA before moving to Upper Black Eddy, where he grew up. He graduated from Palisades High School in 2003 and went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications with a minor in Asian Studies from Temple University in Philadelphia, PA. During one of his years at Temple, Ben studied at the University's campus in Tokyo. This experience inspired him to study the culture and language of Japan and to visit other East Asian countries. More recently he was committed to learning Vietnamese as well. In 2024, Ben earned a Master’s degree in Business Administration. He worked for UPS as a quality control specialist.

A highlight of Ben’s life was the 7 years he taught English in the Fukushima prefecture of Japan. He made many lifelong friends and had life changing experiences while living there. Most notable was the 2011 Tohoku Earthquake, Tsunami and Fukushima Nuclear Accident. While many foreigners left the country, Ben remained to assist in cleanup efforts and to provide moral support. This is just an example of a ruling disposition in Ben: Make people happy and encourage them to persevere in the struggles of life. He would demonstrate this attitude as he endured several health challenges with both grace and humor.

Ben is survived by his parents Philip and Laurie (Storch) Brandau and his sister Chelsea Brandau.

Friends and family are invited to gather at the Upper Black Eddy Firehouse on Sunday, November 2, 2025. Visitation will begin at 1:00 p.m. with a special time of sharing memories and celebrating Ben’s life at 2:00 p.m.

Arrangements are under the care of the Johnson-Walton Funeral Home, 24 Church Road, Milford, NJ.

Memorial contributions to the Upper Black Eddy Fire Company would be appreciated.