Dr. Philip Joseph Brendel, 70, of Holmdel, NJ died unexpectedly at home on March 21, 2010. He was born (August 11, 1939) and raised in Astoria, Queens by his parents, Philip Brendel and Mary Ana Brendel (Devera). He graduated from Manhattan College in 1961 with a Bachelors of Electrical Engineering and pursued multiple post-graduate degrees as a National Science Foundation Fellow. He earned S.M. (E.E.) and E.E. degrees from M. I. T. and his doctorate (Eng.Sc.D) from Columbia University. Dr. Brendel retired in 1996 as a Distinguished Member of Technical Staff after a 30 year telecommunications career at AT&T Bell Laboratories where he was recognized around the world as an expert in international network operations. Prior to Bell Labs, he proudly served his country as an officer in the US Air Force from October, 1963 to April, 1966. Away from work, Philip’s passion and joy was spending time with his beloved wife, Joanne and his three children, Philip, Eric, and Kirsten. Whether coaching his boys in t-ball or watching his daughter star in collegiate basketball, his dedication to his family was limitless. His big heart, gentle soul, and remarkable thoughtfulness will be sorely missed by all close to him. He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Joanne Margaret Brendel (Mungo) of Holmdel, NJ, his three children and their spouses, Philip Joseph Brendel, Jr and his wife Nancy Munyak of Cranbury, NJ, Eric John Brendel and his wife Tina Brendel of Fair Haven, NJ, and Kirsten Marie Dineen and her husband Sean Dineen of New York, NY, his brother, John Jacob Brendel of Astoria, NY, and his sister, Constance Barbara Myers of Jersey City, NJ. He is also survived by his seven beloved grandchildren, MaryRose Brendel, Philip Joseph Brendel III, and Theodore John Brendel of Cranbury, NJ; Ana Louise Brendel, Geoffrey Eric Brendel, and Catherine Louise Brendel of Fair Haven, NJ; Thomas Philip Dineen of New York, NY.