Brooks Wrampelmeier

Brooks Wrampelmeier of Washington, DC died at home on February 9, 2022 at the age of 87 following a short illness. He is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Ann Dartsch Wrampelmeier, his daughter Susan Atkinson (Robert) and sons Peter and Christopher (Hortencia), his four grandchildren, Claire Atkinson, Cole, Claudia, and Holly Wrampelmeier, his brother Kent Wrampelmeier (Linda), his brother-in-law Floyd White, and numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents and his sister Holly White.

He was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, on September 27, 1934, and moved not long after to the nearby town of Wyoming where he grew up and attended high school. Throughout his life, he had a stalwart affection for his hometown, and maintained many friendships from his Wyoming High School days. He graduated from Princeton University magna cum laude in 1956 with a BA in Near Eastern Studies, having spent his junior year at the American University of Beirut. He later received a Master of International Public Policy from Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies in 1977.

He joined the U.S. Foreign Service and moved to Washington, DC in 1956 where he met his wife on a blind date and they later married in May 1958. He had a long and interesting diplomatic career focused on the Middle East, rotating between assignments in Washington and abroad. After attending the Foreign Service Institute’s Arabic Language School in Beirut, Lebanon, his overseas diplomatic postings included Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Zambia, the UAE, and Kuwait. His final post was as Consul General in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, after which he retired in September 1989. Upon retirement, he continued to work part-time for the State Department for many years assisting with Freedom of Information Act requests.

Brooks was a kind, generous, and thoughtful husband, father, grandfather, and friend with a wonderful self-deprecating sense of humor. He was unfailingly polite to all he met and is remembered by many with great affection. He enjoyed reading, particularly newspapers and history, crosswords, genealogy, and listening to classical and folk music. He also served his DC community for many years as an election worker and later as precinct captain.

A memorial service will be announced and held later in the spring. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to American Near East Refugee Aid (ANERA), Bread for the City, or a food bank of your choice.