Ernest Bradley "Brad" Eberhart

Ernest Bradley "Brad" Eberhart died June 20, 2022, at the age of 71 in Topeka, Kansas. He was born in 1951 in Manhattan, Kansas. He was the son of Ozella (Yowell) and Robert Eberhart. He graduated from Manhattan High School in 1969 and attended Kansas State University. He felt called to a spiritual journey that took him to live in communities of other students in Kansas City, Miami, Denver and Ashville, NC. under the leadership of Prem Rawat, his life-long spiritual teacher. While in Kansas City, Brad learned the art of natural baking and opened a natural foods bakery in Kansas City called Clearly Nature's Own which later became a Whole Foods store. Later, when he was based in Miami, he helped lead the team that prepared all the food for 200 people, daily. He also organized and lead the baking operations for their large festivals of over 20,000 people. He also baked very large cakes for Prem and his family for special occasions. After he developed back issues from scoliosis in his late 20s, he pursued natural healing modalities in Santa Monica, California and Springfield, Missouri. In Springfield, he had a large circle of close friends through Unity Church of Christianity, classes and fellowship. He continued his affiliation with Unity when he moved to Topeka. Through his search for healing, he learned about alternative healing modalities, healthy eating, supplements and herbal medicine. He made his own herbal tinctures and kept many files on what he was learning from early natural healers. It was one of his biggest joys to talk about and assist others to live more healthy lifestyles. Brad moved to Topeka in 2008 and lived with his sister, Kim Olson and one of her two daughters, Alex Olson for five years. Kim's daughter Courtney Olson (Shinn) was in college and home for summers. Brad was very close to his sister and nieces. Kim was Brad's best friend and they relied on each other for support throughout both of their lives. He taught his niece, Alex how to bake natural cakes from recipes he very methodically created. It was a fun family tradition to see what kind of cakes they would dream up for special occasions. Brad had a huge influence on how Alex viewed the world and who she became as a person. He also shared a special bond with Courtney and her two adorable boys, Parker, 3 and Bennett, 5. He helped make cardboard forts and took Bennet berry picking. Kim introduced Brad to Jancy Pettit, and they began a relationship in 2009. They shared a very special connection and a love of cooking, nature, flower gardens, frequent trips to the pool, drives in the country and spirituality. In recent years, Brad started and operated a successful online supplement business called Healthwise Naturals. He researched to find the best product and used his extensive skills in natural medicine to steer the business. Brad is survived by his partner, Jancy Pettit; his sister, Kim Olson; niece Courtney (Blake) Shinn; their two sons, Parker and Bennett of Topeka; and niece Alex Olson (Jake Lewis) of Lawrence. All who knew Brad experienced him as a kind, loving, non-judgmental soul who knew how to love fully. And he often was spontaneously humorous and playful. He was the best listener if we needed an ear. He never raised his voice and had a calm presence about him. He continued his practice of meditation throughout his life and lived in a very holistic, natural, vegetarian lifestyle and taught us all how to live healthier. Even with his chronic health issues, he had a great appreciation of life. He is loved and will be missed by us all. Plans are being made for a celebration of his life at a later date.