Dr. Mark J. Brand, 61, of Davenport, Iowa, died on Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2011, at Clarissa Cook Hospice House after a valiant 3 1/2-year battle with cancer.
Mark was born on Dec. 29, 1949, in New Britain, Conn., son of Evelyn and Emil Brand. He graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in Middletown, Conn. Mark earned his bachelor’s degree from American University in Washington, D.C.; his master’s degree from the University of Southern California; and his Ph.D from Touro University in California.
Dr. Brand was a professor at St. Ambrose University and received the honor of being named the 2011 Faculty Member of the Year, the same award he received from Johnson & Wales University-Denver in 2002. He was also honored with the 2007/2008 President’s Award for Outstanding Service, Leadership and Commitment from Johnson & Wales.
Before molding the minds of the future generation, Mark spent his 20s working for a multitude of political candidates, notably handling presidential campaign advance for Congressman Udall, Sen. Walter Mondale, Sen. Ted Kennedy and President Jimmy Carter. Mark also worked for the Department of Transportation under Jimmy Carter. His career then led him into the private sector, where he was a public relations specialist for the GD Searle Company, United Airlines, AMGEN Biotechnology & USA Track and Field. At age 50, Mark chose to change his career and become an academician. Shortly thereafter he completed his Ph.D in marketing.
Survivors include his wife Maxine Brand (formerly of Kansas City); mother, Evelyn Brand, Virginia Beach, Va.; daughter, Rachel, Charlotte, N.C., daughter and son-in-law, Ali and Noam Stern, Beersheva, Israel; and brother and sister-in-law, David and Bonnie Brand, Virginia Beach. Sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law include Harriet and Elon Goitein, Herzaliya, Israel, Myrna and Jerry Wacknov, Foster City, Calif., and Roger and Shirley Cooper, Henderson, Nev.
Mark was preceded in death by his father, Emil Brand, and grandparents.
A graveside service was conducted on Thursday, Aug. 11, at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Norfolk, Va. A memorial service was held on Aug. 14 at Temple Emanuel in Davenport.
Contributions may be made to the Israel Study Abroad Program, c/o Marketing Department at St. Ambrose University, 518 Locust St., Davenport, IA 52803 or to Temple Emanuel at 1115 Mississippi Avenue, Davenport, IA 52803.
Online condolences may be sent to hdoliver.com.