Col. Brian M. Davis, MD (USAF, Ret.)

Brian M. Davis was born to Marvin and Mary Hill Davis in Webster City, Iowa. He was the first born of four children, older brother to his three sisters. He was raised on a farm, educated in Hamilton County schools where he was very active in sports, music and academic activities, and graduated from Boone (IA) High School in 1963. He graduated from the University of Iowa with a BS with Highest Distinction and Honors in Chemistry. After two years in the U of I graduate school (PhD program in Biochemistry), he enrolled in the U of I College of Medicine and graduated with M.D. degree. He was a member of the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society.

Brian married Laura Albrecht in Nichols, Iowa in 1973. Following his graduation from medical school they moved to Nashville, TN, where he completed an Internship in Internal Medicine at Vanderbilt University Hospital. After his enlistment in the USAF, he completed the Primary Course in Aerospace Medicine at the USAF School of Aerospace Medicine at Brooks AFB, TX as well as an Introduction to Allergy Course at Wilford Hall USAF Medical Center, Lackland AFB, TX. He completed a three year Residency training program in Dermatology at Wilford Hall USAF Medical Center as well as a Fellowship in Immunodermatology at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School in Dallas, TX.

His significant military assignments during his 30 year Air Force career included: General Duty Physician and Flight Surgeon at Tyndall AFB, FL; Staff and Assistant Chairman of Department of Dermatology at Wilford Hall USAF Medical Center, TX; Chief of Dermatology and Chief of Medical Services, RAF Upper Heyford, UK; Chairman and Residency Program Director, Department of Dermatology, Wilford Hall USAF Medical Center, Lackland AFB, TX; Chief of Dermatology, Malcom Grow Medical Center, Andrews AFB, MD, and Staff Dermatologist, Brooke Army Medical Center, Fort Sam Houston, TX. During his assignments as Flight Surgeon at Tyndall AFB, he enjoyed spending many hours flying in jet fighters with the pilots of the 95th Interceptor Training Squadron, to which he was attached. While he was stationed at Tyndall AFB, he was temporarily assigned to Thule Air Base, Greenland as the acting hospital commander and sole physician. During his time at Thule, he hosted the first visit to Thule AB Hospital by the Prime Minister of Denmark (Greenland being a County of Denmark), and helped the military personnel celebrate the United States Bicentennial 4th of July in the midst of a blizzard. In 2001, he participated in a two-week humanitarian mission to Peru where he treated nearly 900 patients.

He had academic appointments as Clinical Instructor and Clinical Assistant Professor in Medicine (Dermatology) and Assistant Professor of Clinical Dermatology at Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD. He served as Chief Consultant for Dermatology to USAF Surgeon General and was an Emeritus Consultant for Dermatology to USAF Surgeon General. Additionally, he was President and Vice President of the Association of Military Dermatologists. He had numerous published articles and abstracts in a variety of medical journals and made many presentations and lectures over the course of his practice in medicine. In 2001, he was awarded the Medicina Cracooviensis 2000 Silver Medal in Krakow, Poland. His additional professional, military and academic activities are too numerous to list.

Military honors and awards included: Flight Surgeon of the Year, Aerospace Defense Command; USAF Commendation Medal, USAF Meritorious Service Medal (First, Second and Third Oak Leaf Clusters), USAF Legion of Merit, and Army Achievement Medal. Additionally, he served as Chair, American Academy of Dermatology Government Medicine Task Force and President, Association for Proficiency in Skin Immunopathology. He also had been on the Board of Directors and Treasurer for the North American Clinical Dermatological Society.

Upon his retirement after 30 years in the USAF, he practiced general dermatology at Alamo Area Dermatology in San Antonio until he retired from the practice.

His membership in professional organizations included: American Academy of Dermatology, Royal Society of Medicine (London), American College of Rheumatology, North American Clinical Dermatologic Society, American Medical Association, Texas Medical Association, Bexar County Medical Society, San Antonio Dermatological Society, State of Texas Association of Rheumatologists, Society for Investigative Dermatology, International Society of Dermatology, Association of Military Dermatologists, Dermatology Foundation Leader Society, Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society, American Legion Post 24 Alexandria, VA, Military Officers Association of America, Military Officers Association of America – Alamo Chapter.

As much as he loved practicing and teaching dermatology and immunodermatology, Brian had many additional interests and activities. He and Laura greatly enjoyed travels all over the world, especially during the time they were stationed at RAF Upper Heyford in England. Living in a small village in Oxfordshire called Middleton Stoney was one of the high points of their lives and gave them a chance to see parts of the UK and Europe that remain very happy memories. Many years of living in San Antonio served as a base for travels to their favorite TX locations: Big Bend National Park, Ft. Davis (McDonald Observatory) and Marfa; as well as Rockport/Fulton and the whooping crane tours. We also enjoyed showing SA attractions to the many family and friends that visited us over the years. Trips to Iowa/Illinois to visit family and friends were also favorite times, especially a memorable Mississippi River cruise from St. Paul, MN to St. Louis, MO aboard the American Queen, and a number of shorter Mississippi River cruises from LeClaire to Dubuque, IA.

An animal lover from birth, he loved his pets, from Sparky, the rat terrier to our rescue cats over the years: Agatha, Stoney I, Stoney II and Margaret. One of his favorite volunteer activities was participating in the AniMeals program with Meals on Wheels, in which he delivered pet food to people who were MoW clients.

Brian was an avid University of Iowa Hawkeye sports fan, especially football and basketball. He and Laura greatly enjoyed attending the 1986 Rose Bowl game in Pasadena, CA, even though the Hawkeyes lost; it was great fun to fly to IA and travel with the Hawkeye fans to CA for the game. He was very active in U of I alumni activities, and was the long-time president of the U of I Alumni Association in San Antonio. In 2015, he was named the IOWA Club Volunteer of the Year by the U of I Alumni Association. He also represented the U of I at many college fairs sponsored by local school districts.

As a huge NASCAR fan, he had season tickets at Texas Motor Speedway until the pandemic ended his trips to watch the races. He also enjoyed spending time at Winstar Casino, OK, spending more time people-watching than gambling.

Locally, Brian enjoyed activities with neighbors and friends, including a Neighborhood Dinner group, until the Pandemic. Gardening was another interest; Brian never met a plant he did not love, and that showed in his collection of house and outdoor plants. He was a great believer in ecologically-sound organic gardening practices.

Survivors include his wife, Laura; sisters Diane Stipp, Fran (Bob) Sapp, and Jeanine Graham; sister-in-law Lois Albrecht and brother-in-law Dennis (Linda) Albrecht; and numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great nephews; and cousins. He touched many lives, was loved and respected by everyone who knew him and will be greatly missed by all.

At Brian’s request, no services will be held. His cremated remains will be interred at Arlington National Cemetery, near where he and Laura lived during their time in Old Town Alexandria, VA while he was stationed at Andrews Air Force Base, MD. He requested that memorial donations in his name be made to Meals on Wheels San Antonio (4306 NW Loop 410 San Antonio, TX 78229), the San Antonio Food Bank (5200 Enrique M. Barrera Pkwy, San Antonio, TX 78227), the Animal Defense League of Texas – San Antonio (11300 Nacogdoches Rd, San Antonio, TX 78217), or another charity of your choice.

Special thanks to Guiding Light Hospice for their wonderful assistance during Brian’s brief final Illness.