Alfred P. Brainard

ALFRED P. BRAINARD  
Alfred P. Brainard, 79, retired cold war diplomat and army veteran, died from Parkinson's related complications on October 16, 2011, surrounded by his wife and children. Dr. Brainard was one of the first US officials to develop relationships with Solidarity and other Polish dissident movements that later were instrumental in Poland's transition to democracy. Brainard served in the US Army during the Korean War, and during the cold war, in diplomatic posts on both sides of the Iron Curtain. Brainard served as US Consul General in Zurich, and retired from the Foreign Service in 1987, after which he worked as a consultant until 1995. Alfred P. Brainard was born in New York City and spent his childhood in NY and Branford, CT. He received his degrees from the University of Connecticut and his doctorate in Political Science from the University of Washington. Alfred Brainard is survived by his wife of 55 years, Joanne Elegant Brainard of Bethesda; three daughters: Skye Brainard of New York, Lael Brainard of Washington DC, Jana Brainard Augsberger of Los Angeles; and five granddaughters.A funeral service will be held on Friday, October 21, 2011 at 10 a.m. at St. Alban's Episcopal Church, 3001 Wisconsin Avenue, NW, Washington, DC.The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be sent to St. Alban's Episcopal Church or to the Wounded Warrior Project.