Bradley Sutter

Bradley Sutter, COL (Ret.) USAF, 93, of Williamsburg, VA, passed away peacefully on May 2, 2024. Born in Rochester, MN on September 13, 1930, he was survived by his beautiful and loving wife of 67 years, Anne Lee ‘Nancy’ Sutter (Williamson), who passed away June 21, 2025. He is also survived by his children, Christian and his wife, Heather, of Kansas City and Amanda Ploughman and her husband, David, of Toronto, Canada. He was an incredibly proud “Papa” to his grandchildren, Colin, Will, Jordan, and Julia Sutter, and Nicholas, Catherine, and Christopher Ploughman. He was preceded in death by his son, Bradley Scott Sutter, and his parents Armand and Edith Sutter.

Bradley spent his formative years in Austin, MN with seven siblings. He was a member of many school sports teams and prom king his senior year. In 1948-49 he attended the University of Minnesota with an NROTC scholarship. After a year, he won an appointment to the United States Naval Academy, graduating in 1953 with a cross-commission into the U.S. Air Force.

Fulfilling his dream of becoming a pilot, Bradley completed his pilot training in Lubbock, TX. In 1963 he earned his master’s degree in aeronautical engineering from the Air Force Institute of Technology. His career in the Air Force spanned 26 years, with increasingly senior positions, including flying the C-7 Caribou in Vietnam and roles with both Strategic and Tactical Air Commands. He was awarded the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, and Oak Leaf Cluster. After retiring from the Air Force, Bradley worked for 10 years at the International Civil Aviation Organization (part of the United Nations), based in Montreal, Canada.

He and Nancy retired to Williamsburg in 1991. Bradley was a president of the local Kiwanis chapter, and an active member of both the Crown Colony Club and the Naval Academy Alumni Association. He was, for many years, on the volunteer committee of the Michelob Classic at his beloved Kingsmill Golf Club. An avid sports fan, Bradley enjoyed watching golf and his Washington Nationals. He loved Irish folk songs, classical music and opera, and played his favorite Burt Bacharach songs on the piano. His quick wit and sharp sense of humor were perennial features at the Sutter dinner table.

A service will be held February 6, 2026 at 1pm at Arlington National Cemetery, followed by a celebration of life at the Ritz Carlton, Pentagon City. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.NelsenWilliamsburg.com.