Brigadier General Albert E. Brewster “Pop” died peacefully in his sleep on Sept. 12, 2024, at his home in Frisco, TX. He was born on May 25, 1930, in Pine Bluff, AR. Al was an avid reader growing up and passed the Naval ROTC scholarship exam. He earned a BA in Business at the U of NM in 1952.
He served during the final days of the Korean war as a Mortar Platoon Leader for the 1st Bat., 1st Marines on the front lines during the Battle of the Imjin River. He then went on to flight training in Pensacola and later (1955) to NAS in Corpus Christi for Advanced flight training. In 1962, as part of VMA-225 he operated off the USS Enterprise during the Cuban Missile Crisis. He logged 108 carrier landings during this mission. In 1968, as the XO for VMA-221, he flew 105 combat missions in Vietnam operating from the MCAS Chu Lai airfield. In 1971, he became the XO of Marine Aircraft Group 11 based out of El Toro, CA. In 1972, while still in the USMC, he earned an MA in Education from Pepperdine U. In Aug 1973, he was promoted to Colonel. Al was also an avid skier and met his current wife, Suzanne Brewster (née Stuewe) during a ski trip to Bear Valley. They were married 6 months later on June 16, 1974. He was now stepfather, or “Pop”, to Suzie’s 3 boys: Pat (10), Mike (8), and Mark (7). That same year he was promoted to Brigadier General. BGen Brewster served as the Legislative Assistant to the Commandant from August 1977 to May 1980. During this assignment he helped the USMC in getting a permanent seat on the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He retired from the Marine Corps on July l, 1980 after 29 years of service. He went on to work for Northrop Corporation as the Vice President of Legislative Affairs. He worked on the sale of the B2 Stealth bomber to Congress.
After 10 years there he retired to go on a sailing adventure with his wife on their sailboat, WingNPrayer. Over the next two years (‘89-’91) they sailed down the chain of islands to South America and back, having many memorable adventures. In 1992, as the GC, he oversaw the building of their dream home on St Leonard’s Creek off the Chesapeake Bay. It was at this time that Al joined the International Rotary club and was an avid member over the next 20 years, donating his time to charitable causes, with a special interest in the charity, the Snowball Express. The Snowball Express annual event of fun and entertainment for the children of fallen service members with the cost dependent totally on donations. Therefore, Al has requested that in lieu of flowers, to please consider donating to Snowball Express on their website. Al Brewster had a positive influence on anyone who came within his sphere of influence. It may have been as a mentor or as inspiration. He was uncommonly generous with his time as well as with his resources. He will live forever in the hearts of all who knew him.
Al was preceded in death by his son, Albert E Brewster Jr, and sister Barabara Owen.
He is survived by his wife, Suzanne, his stepsons, Patrick McNeil of Fort Washington MD, Michael McNeil of Cross Roads TX, Mark McNeil (Debbie) of Tucson, AZ, grandsons, Sean Brewster (Alexis) of Gresham OR and Bryce Brewster (Kristen) of Newberg OR, and granddaughter Lacey Jane Brewster (Scott Markle) of Anchorage AK.
Family and friends are invited to a Visitation at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Funeral Home, 8520 Main Street, Frisco, Texas 75033, on Monday, September 30, 2024, from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM with a Rosary beginning at 4:30 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, 8000 Eldorado Parkway, Frisco, Texas 75033, Tuesday, October 1, 2024, at 11:00 AM, followed with a reception. Interment will follow at DFW National Cemetery, 2000 Mountain Creek Parkway, Dallas, Texas 75211, beginning at 2:15 PM.