Albert L. Brewster, Jr., Lt. Col. (ret.), PhD
January 22, 1948 – November 27, 2022
Albert L. Brewster, Jr., Lt.Col. (ret.), PhD., BCD, ACSW, LCSW-C, beloved husband, father, and comforter to all, passed away on November 27th, 2022.
Born January 22, 1948, in New York to his parents Albert L. Brewster & Harriet E. Frawley Brewster and to brothers Charles and Fred.
Al is survived by his loving wife of 41 years, Lavina Prescott Brewster; son Reid L.P. Brewster; son, Jason Riddick (Elizabeth); Grandson Nixon Riddick; brother Fred Brewster; David L.C. Prescott, “brother” and many other loved ones he called family. Al was preceded in death by his son, George Paul Brewster; his parents, Harriet Frawley Brewster, and Albert Brewster; and his brother, Rev. Charles Brewster.
He attended Dixie Hollins High School, Saint Petersburg Junior College, Wake Forest University, Mary Washington College BA, Norfolk State College MSW, University of Pittsburgh PhD. He was a Certified Mediator, UVA in Biomedical Ethics; Trained Stephen Minister; Board Certified Diplomate Clinical Social Work; Certificate in Clinical Hypnosis; Academy of Certified Social Workers; Certified Trainer of Counseling Skills by National Drug Abuse Training Center and Veteran Advisory Committees.
A strong defender and believer in our country, Al served 26 years of military service in the Marine Corps and Air Force. He received honors for heroic service in Vietnam, and later numerous commendations as Director of the AF Alcohol Rehabilitation Center, Family Practice Residency, Director of Medical Education and Family Advocacy Director in the Office of the Surgeon General. He has been providing mental health services for over 40 years. He was a published author having written several books, journals, and abstracts.
Al loved sailing, antique cars, and was an instrument-rated pilot; but more importantly, he loved his family and sharing that love to all. He never once “met a stranger” and would always get caught up in conversations with new people. Once he “graduated” from the military, Al founded and served as President of the non-profit, veteran support group, Battle Buddies; he consistently worked with this group along with a number of other volunteer programs. Through his role as a clinical social worker, Al responded to crisis calls at the Pentagon on 911, with the VBPD as well as working with many commercial operations experiencing personal crisis. Al was always passionate and driven to help others during the darkest times of their lives. There are hundreds of people who through his expertise and loving nature were provided comfort, and relief.
A person of strong religious beliefs Al was an active member of Trinity United Methodist Church in Prince Frederick, Maryland; most recently attending the Virginia Beach United Methodist Church and First Presbyterian Church of Virginia Beach as well as Trinity Church Men’s Bible Study
A memorial service will be held on Wednesday March 15, 2023 at 1 PM at Trinity UMC, 90 Church St., Prince Frederick, MD 20678, Dr. Jim Swecker, Clergy. A service with military honors will be held Thursday March 16,2023, with a required arrival time at 8:15 AM with services scheduled at 9 AM at Arlington National Cemetery.
Arrangements are by Rausch Funeral Home (rauschfuneralhomes.com). In lieu of flowers, the family asks of anyone who knew Al to please spread a bit of love and Kindness; take an old friend out to dinner, donate to a local food pantry, spend some time with the ones you love. Nothing would make Al happier than knowing he was able to bring people together.
Visitation
Services
Wednesday, March 15, 2023
1 PM
Contributions
The family asks of anyone who knew Al
to please spread a bit of kindness; take an old friend out to dinner, donate to a local food pantry, spend some time with the ones you love.
Nothing would make Al Happier than knowing he was able to bring people together
Condolences
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8 Dec 2022
1:41pm
Al Brewster was the best friend anyone could have, my only real “big brother” for the last 53 years. Always encouraging, always positive. He did not talk a great deal about himself. He was always focused on the other person. He wanted to know about your and about your life, and there was never a better listener. There’s a big emptiness now in a world without Al. Blessings to Lavina, Reid, everyone who knew and loved Al, he will we greatly missed until we see him in Glory. It says here that Al founded Battle Buddies, so I have donated to them in his memory. God bless Al and everyone who loved him. — Dan Allison, Gulfport, FL, December 8, 2022.
City
Gulfport
State
FL
8 Dec 2022
9:03pm
My condolences to the family and friends of Dr. Brewster. Put simply, he taught me confidence, inner peace and made me smile and laugh during some of the hardest times of my life and I will never forget him. My family and I are extremely thankful and grateful to have been influenced by such a genuine person and are heartbroken to hear of his passing. I wish peace and comfort for his loved ones during these times.
City
Virginia Beach
State
Virginia
10 Dec 2022
5:12pm
My heart goes out to Lavina and Reid on the passing of one of the nicest people I have known. He was always helping others, always had a smile on his face and a pleasant word for all. He will be missed by so many people . Our prayers and thoughts goes out to the family. We love you. Sarah Callahan
City
St. Leonard
State
MD
10 Dec 2022
5:44pm
Al has been a member of the “Flanagan” family for more years than I can remember. My mother always said, “He came for dinner one night and never left!” Our hearts are broken. We miss you “Beaver!”
City
Virginia Beach
State
Virginia
11 Dec 2022
1:55pm
Al’s greatest asset was his ability to listen – along with his open-ended invitation to get together – mainly on board a sailboat while enjoying our friendship or discussing current events. I once told him sometimes I forgot to call him “Al” as I originally knew as “Beaver”. He made that funny face and said “just call me whatever you want. Now that’s true Al.
City
Henrico
State
Va
11 Dec 2022
4:23pm
I knew him as Beaver! I met him when I was 14. He drove up to our home in his VW bus with the license plate that said “Beaver” and a sticker on the back window that said “Be a beaver give a dam.” That was our Beav! My heart is broken.
City
Virginia Beach
State
VA
28 Dec 2022
6:57am
I met Al through sailing. I immediately felt at home with his loving and caring attitude. Al had a way of accepting people and responding to who they were, with care. Even after long periods of no contact, he would pick up the communication as if the last contact was the day before.
A beloved brother who will be missed!
Love and Blessing to his family and friends. He will live always in my heart!
City
Santpoort-Zuid
State
Netherland
23 Feb 2023
7:07pm
My condolences to Dr. Brewster and his family. Dr. Brewster had a significant impact in my life during our time working together. He helped me get out of a really dark place when I was diagnosed with PTSD. He helped me find my spirituality again. He also introduced me to yoga which I’m sure he would be happy to know I’m still practicing. The last time I got a chance to chat with him, we were talking about the NGO I was starting and he wanted to be apart of it in any way he could.
Dr. Brewster was a very special person. I can only begin to imagine the amount of lives he has changed, saved, and helped throughout his career. I’m certainly one of those lives. I will miss our conversations and sharing research on a variety of topics.
City
Chesapeake
State
Va
6 Mar 2023
8:17pm
Al was a special friend who always had a smile no matter what. He was optimistic and always gave of himself. One would think that someone like Al would just live forever. I am heartbroken as we served together in the Air Force. I will never forget him. He was always there like a beacon of inspiration to everybody. You could count on Al no matter what. He had the warmest smile that I will always remember.
City
Vienna
State
Va
14 Mar 2023
4:54pm
My sincere condolences to Al’s family. I met some Al some 10 years ago through a subcommittee of the Southern Maryland Tri-County Council that was working on veterans affairs, primarily trying to get a new medical clinic built in Southern Maryland. Al and I became close as we were both helping individual veterans, me as a Disabled American Veterans Chapter Service Officer, assisting veterans filing claims with VA, and he assisting veterans on the Ph.D. side. We shared some meals together where he explained the Battle Buddies program to me. I wrote and article on the program, included photos of a Battle Buddy and her vet and sent it to DAV headquarters for printing in their national magazine. I got a letter back stating they only printed letters written by their own editors. This was really a shame, as it would have given Al’s program a real boost in the Battle Buddy world. After moving to Virginia Beach, Al stayed in contact with me. He would meet veterans with problems with VA and call me to ask what action they could take in order to get VA to respond and give them the assistance they needed. I would provide Al the advice the vet needed and he would pass it on. Al never stopped utilizing his resources to assist vets in need. He was a true friend to all. I really missed him when he moved to Virginia. He never met a stranger. He was a great friend to all.
City
LUSBY
State
Maryland
Sort Comments
Al Brewster was the best friend anyone could have, my only real “big brother” for the last 53 years. Always encouraging, always positive. He did not talk a great deal about himself. He was always focused on the other person. He wanted to know about your and about your life, and there was never a better listener. There’s a big emptiness now in a world without Al. Blessings to Lavina, Reid, everyone who knew and loved Al, he will we greatly missed until we see him in Glory. It says here that Al founded Battle Buddies, so I have donated to them in his memory. God bless Al and everyone who loved him. — Dan Allison, Gulfport, FL, December 8, 2022.
My condolences to the family and friends of Dr. Brewster. Put simply, he taught me confidence, inner peace and made me smile and laugh during some of the hardest times of my life and I will never forget him. My family and I are extremely thankful and grateful to have been influenced by such a genuine person and are heartbroken to hear of his passing. I wish peace and comfort for his loved ones during these times.
My heart goes out to Lavina and Reid on the passing of one of the nicest people I have known. He was always helping others, always had a smile on his face and a pleasant word for all. He will be missed by so many people . Our prayers and thoughts goes out to the family. We love you. Sarah Callahan
Al has been a member of the “Flanagan” family for more years than I can remember. My mother always said, “He came for dinner one night and never left!” Our hearts are broken. We miss you “Beaver!”
Al’s greatest asset was his ability to listen – along with his open-ended invitation to get together – mainly on board a sailboat while enjoying our friendship or discussing current events. I once told him sometimes I forgot to call him “Al” as I originally knew as “Beaver”. He made that funny face and said “just call me whatever you want. Now that’s true Al.
I knew him as Beaver! I met him when I was 14. He drove up to our home in his VW bus with the license plate that said “Beaver” and a sticker on the back window that said “Be a beaver give a dam.” That was our Beav! My heart is broken.
I met Al through sailing. I immediately felt at home with his loving and caring attitude. Al had a way of accepting people and responding to who they were, with care. Even after long periods of no contact, he would pick up the communication as if the last contact was the day before.
A beloved brother who will be missed!
Love and Blessing to his family and friends. He will live always in my heart!
My condolences to Dr. Brewster and his family. Dr. Brewster had a significant impact in my life during our time working together. He helped me get out of a really dark place when I was diagnosed with PTSD. He helped me find my spirituality again. He also introduced me to yoga which I’m sure he would be happy to know I’m still practicing. The last time I got a chance to chat with him, we were talking about the NGO I was starting and he wanted to be apart of it in any way he could.
Dr. Brewster was a very special person. I can only begin to imagine the amount of lives he has changed, saved, and helped throughout his career. I’m certainly one of those lives. I will miss our conversations and sharing research on a variety of topics.
Al was a special friend who always had a smile no matter what. He was optimistic and always gave of himself. One would think that someone like Al would just live forever. I am heartbroken as we served together in the Air Force. I will never forget him. He was always there like a beacon of inspiration to everybody. You could count on Al no matter what. He had the warmest smile that I will always remember.
My sincere condolences to Al’s family. I met some Al some 10 years ago through a subcommittee of the Southern Maryland Tri-County Council that was working on veterans affairs, primarily trying to get a new medical clinic built in Southern Maryland. Al and I became close as we were both helping individual veterans, me as a Disabled American Veterans Chapter Service Officer, assisting veterans filing claims with VA, and he assisting veterans on the Ph.D. side. We shared some meals together where he explained the Battle Buddies program to me. I wrote and article on the program, included photos of a Battle Buddy and her vet and sent it to DAV headquarters for printing in their national magazine. I got a letter back stating they only printed letters written by their own editors. This was really a shame, as it would have given Al’s program a real boost in the Battle Buddy world. After moving to Virginia Beach, Al stayed in contact with me. He would meet veterans with problems with VA and call me to ask what action they could take in order to get VA to respond and give them the assistance they needed. I would provide Al the advice the vet needed and he would pass it on. Al never stopped utilizing his resources to assist vets in need. He was a true friend to all. I really missed him when he moved to Virginia. He never met a stranger. He was a great friend to all.