Alfred Branham Prados

It is with deep sorrow that the family of Colonel Alfred B. Prados, U.S. Army, Retired, announces his passing on November 18, 2022, at the age of 88 due to complications from Parkinson's Disease. Alfred was the beloved husband of Marguerite M. Prados; the devoted father of Edward (Sabrina) Prados and Andrea (Oliver) Rutherfurd; and grandfather of Henry and Sophie. Alfred is also survived by his brother Dr. John (Lynn) Prados and his nieces Elizabeth, Laura, and Anne.

Alfred was an experienced U.S. Army intelligence officer. Trained as a Foreign Area Officer specializing in the Middle East, he served as Assistant Defense Attaché in Beirut, Lebanon (1967-70), and Defense Attaché in both Sanaa, Yemen (1976-78) and Amman, Jordan (1979-82). He was country director for Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, and Iraq in the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense during a period of intense U.S. involvement in the Middle East and was instrumental in establishing a bilateral U.S.-Jordanian military commission, which became a model of U.S. engagement for the MENA region. In addition to his Middle East experience, Alfred also served in Vietnam from 1970-71. He retired in 1985 after thirty years of service, subsequently joining the Library of Congress’ Congressional Research Service, serving as a foreign policy analyst for twenty years and drawing on his deep knowledge of the Middle East to prepare studies and brief members of Congress and their staff.

Born in Nashville, Tennessee, Alfred graduated from Vanderbilt University and later earned a master’s from the American University of Beirut. He also received training at the Army Language School (now the Defense Language Institute in Monterey, California), the Armed Forces Staff College, and the National War College. He was particularly proud of being selected as one of three U.S. officers to attend and graduate from the Jordanian Army Staff College in 1965. Alfred is remembered for his patience; his nuanced, measured approach to life; his mentorship; and his acceptance of others. He was an active member in his communities, whether in the U.S. or abroad and is fondly remembered for his piano playing at gatherings, his wit, and his poetic Arabic. Alfred sang in church choirs, served on neighborhood association boards, and volunteered freely of his time and talent, enriching the lives of those around him.

Alfred’s family is especially grateful to his doctors at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital for their exceptional care, including Dr. Amarin Sangkharat, Dr. Steven Lo, Dr. Elizabeth Selden, Dr. John Steinberg, Dr. William Arthur Davis, and Thalia Attinger, NP; as well as his caregivers, Rozlin, Angela, and Lucy.

A service honoring his life will take place at a later date. Interment will be at Arlington National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in his name to the Parkinson's Foundation.