Hence F. Brank, Jr.

Hence F Brank Jr, 79, died on December 15,2023, at the Nashville VA medical center after a short battle with cancer. He was known affectionately as “Doc”, “Major” and “the Bicycle Man”.

He was born in Henderson County, Kentucky on June 27,1944 to Anna (Brooks) Brank and Hence F Brank Sr. Hence graduated from Douglas High school. After graduating, he completed a two-year Air Force Reserve Officers Training program in 1965 where he received training in flying and support operations at the Air Training Command base.

He attended the University of Kentucky Northwest Center in 1963 and graduated from the University of Kentucky with a BA in chemistry.  Hence obtained his M.D. degree from the University of Louisville in 1976 while serving in the military.  He was certified as an Air Force flight surgeon having worked as a navigator on B52 combat crew during Viet Nam. Utilizing the education he received in medical school, Hence served as a physician for military and civilians in Enewetak Atoll, a site for U.S. military nuclear cleanup, in the South Pacific until 1980. He loved the Air Force, achieved the rank of Major, and served 13 years of active duty from 1967-1981.  In 2013, he moved to Nashville, TN.

In his spare time, Hence enjoyed tinkering with cars.  He was able to take a motor completely apart and put it back together with ease.

Hence was known as a very intelligent, gentle, kindhearted man who would sacrifice for others. His curiosity for knowledge led him to study the Bible and many discussions followed. He will be deeply missed.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Anna Brooks Brank; father, Hence F Brank Sr.; and brothers, Levin Brank and Henry Lewis Brank. He is survived by his daughter, Elizabeth Ann Brank; sister, Anna Cole Brank; brother-in-law, James Cole; and ex-wife, Patricia Hughes; in addition to many nephews, nieces, family, and friends.