James F. Brinkman

1958 - 2021

James F. Brinkman July 13, 1958 - November 24, 2021 SAN DIEGO
COL James "Jim" F. Brinkman, 63, passed peacefully at Balboa Naval Medical Center after a long, valiant fight against Covid19.

Jim was, first and foremost, a Christian family man whose greatest legacy will carry on with his wife of 33 years, Marcia (Canard) Brinkman, and through their beloved four children, whom he raised and groomed to be responsible stewards of character and moral value: LT Kevyn Brinkman (Rachel Harr), OSSN Ryan Brinkman (Kendall Key), Kelsey Brinkman and Tyler Brinkman (Nicole Bechler).

Jim was the second child and eldest son born to Ray and Naomi (Apple) Brinkman in Dayton, OH. He attended Carroll High School and received his B.S. in Pre-Med from the University of Dayton in 1980. He went on to receive his Doctor of Medicine Degree from the Medical College of Ohio in 1985. He served as a Resident of Family Practice at The Toledo Hospital, where he met his wife, Marcia Canard, whom he married in 1988.

Jim's lifetime career was as a compassionate, caring doctor who served in multiple branches of the military, as well as in civilian capacities. He first joined the Navy Reserve in 1983 while attending medical school and moved to active duty in July 1988, serving as a Family Practitioner. During his time in the Navy, he served both ashore and afloat, even earning the coveted "back seat" qualification on the FA-18 Hornet. Jim left the Navy in 1992 to pursue his civilian medical career, having attained the rank of Lieutenant Commander.

Jim served in a variety of civilian medical capacities, including California Emergency Physicians; Sharp Mission Park Medical Group; Aviation Medical Examiner; Medical Director of Carlsbad by the Sea; Independent Contractor for various Emergency Rooms in several states; Physician at Mobile Medical Group (1-800-CALL-DOC). He loved this house call profession so much he was compelled to start his own company, James F. Brinkman, MD, INC, where he would see the homebound elderly and disabled. He went on to serve as the Medical Director of Recruit Health at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, where he decided to rejoin the military. Most recently he was serving as an Emergency Room Physician at the VA Medical Center, Loma Linda.

In July 2010, he rejoined the military, this time in the California Army National Guard as a Flight Surgeon/Family Physician. He served many roles during his tenure with the California Army National Guard. He deployed with the 29th Combat Aviation Brigade to Iraq and Kuwait 2011 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. In 2015 he deployed again, this time to Kuwait, Jordan, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Iraq with the 40th CAB in support of OIF and OEF. Throughout his tenure with the 40th CAB, he was responsible for the successful growth of the medical program and the establishment of four medical facilities.
Additionally, he was directly responsible for the medical oversight of the unit's flight paramedic program which supported Soldiers outside of the organization, as well as civilians during State emergencies and Search and Rescues. As a flight surgeon, he and his team were responsible for providing medical support to the largest Aviation unit that ever deployed during the Global War on Terror. He deployed again in 2017, this time in support of Operation Enduring Freedom Spartan Shield. During this tour, he was stationed in Qatar, providing medical care to thousands of Soldiers.

Jim next served as the Commander of MEDCOM of the California Medical Readiness Detachment, ensuring the medical readiness of the 14,000 Soldiers of the California Army National Guard. In 2018, he took an active duty tour with the California Army National Guard as the State Surgeon and State Flight Surgeon. He was responsible for not only the medical readiness of the Soldiers in California, but played a critical role in shaping medical policy and provider credentialing for the entire National Guard. He was directly involved in realigning policy between the State of California and the California Army National Guard so that medical personnel could treat civilian patients in emergencies.

In September 2021, COL Brinkman transferred to the Arizona Army National Guard to serve as the Chief of Case Management to oversee the care of Soldiers injured in the line of duty.

COL Brinkman was a highly respected member of the Army medical community and was greatly admired for always working to place himself where the greatest need was. COL Brinkman's awards include the Bronze Star Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Navy Commendation Medal (2nd Award), the Navy Achievement Medal, the Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation, the Humanitarian Service Award, the Iraq Campaign Medal (with Campaign Star), the Basic Aviation Badge, and the Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon.

Throughout his entire life, Jim's love of God and faith-based convictions were the foundation for his active participation at his church, North Coast Church, where he was an active member for 32 years. He will be known as a man who walked with God and glorified Jesus in his life.

Jim attained one of his lifelong dreams of obtaining his private pilot's license in general aviation and was especially happy when he was flying in the heavens.

Jim will be sorely missed by his multitude of friends, colleagues, patients, and relatives who are all better for having known him.

Jim is survived by his wife, Marcia, and daughter, Kelsey, of Oceanside, CA, and his three sons, Kevyn (Rachel) Brinkman and granddaughter, Becca, of Escondido, CA, Ryan (Kendall) Brinkman of Virginia Beach, VA, and Tyler (Nicole) Brinkman of Temecula, CA; Ohio siblings and in-laws, Tim and Cynthia (Brinkman) Picciano, Steven (Debbie) Brinkman, Barbara (Brinkman) Taulbee, and David (Debi) Brinkman; and a host of extended Brinkman, Apple, and Canard family members.

A Memorial Service will occur at North Coast Church (Vista Campus) on December 10th at 11 am. A private burial will occur at Fort Rosecrans in February 2022.

Anyone wishing to honor Jim's life is asked to make memorial donations to one of the following organizations that were important in Jim's life: Wounded Warrior Project (woundedwarriorproject.org) and/or Compassion International (www.gofundme.com).