Bradford Marshall Templin

Bradford Marshall Templin, 70, passed away on May 15, 2025, surrounded by family and friends at the Hospice Home of Hope in Fond du Lac, WI.

Brad was born in Fond du Lac on October 16, 1954, the youngest of three children. His parents, Frances and Vaughn “Bud” Templin (both deceased) gave him a joyful childhood on Hopokoekau Beach. It was there that he met his oldest and closest friend, John Manowske.

After graduating from Goodrich High School in 1972, Brad pursued his love of music, becoming a skilled drummer and singer. He spent several years in Oshkosh playing with various musicians but truly came into his own when he joined the Bill Waters Band.

In 1981, Brad moved to Santa Rosa, CA, and welcomed his son, Derek, the following year with his partner Lorraine Rodriguez. During his time in California, he formed close friendships and spent years touring up and down the West Coast with The Fargo Brothers, further honing his musical talents. Brad often shared fond memories of his life in California.

In 1993, he returned to Fond du Lac and joined The Barfliez, a band he cherished and played with for nearly 20 years, until 2013. It was during one of his gigs that he met his future wife, Alineh Nishanian. The couple married on August 27, 2011, at his childhood home by the lake.

Brad’s health journey began in June 2013 when he was diagnosed with transverse myelitis, a condition he overcame. However, in the fall of 2018, a new set of symptoms emerged. It wasn’t until late 2023 that he was diagnosed with ALS, by which time the disease had significantly progressed.

Brad was a man of many passions — music, animals, motorcycles, history, and historic firearms (particularly from WWII and earlier). He was an avid drummer and loved sharing obscure music finds with his friend, Eric White.

He is survived by his loving wife, Alineh Templin; his son, Derek Marshall Templin of Salt Lake City, UT; his brother, Edward Templin (Kathy) of Fond du Lac; his sister, Pamela Ann Templin of Ripon; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

The family extends special thanks and heartfelt gratitude to the staff and caregivers at the Hospice Home of Hope for their unwavering patience and compassion for Brad. ALS is a cruel disease, and the care they provided was incomparable.

A Celebration of Life will be held on June 29, 2025. If you knew Brad, you are warmly invited to join us in sharing the joy and memories he brought to our lives. Please contact bradtemplin2025@gmail.com for more information.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Brad’s memory may be made to the Hospice Home of Hope, 400 County Road K, Fond du Lac, WI 54937; the ALS Association of Wisconsin; or the Fond du Lac Humane Society, 652 Triangle Road, Fond du Lac, WI 54935.