William K. Brehm

Life and career

William K. Brehm was raised in Dearborn, Michigan, where he attended Fordson High School, graduating in 1947. He then attended the University of Michigan, receiving a bachelor's degree and a master's degree in mathematics and physics. From 1952 to 1964, Brehm worked in advanced systems engineering in the aerospace engineering.

In 1964, Brehm joined the Office of the United States Secretary of Defense. In 1968, he became Assistant Secretary of the Army (Manpower and Reserve Affairs) and served in that office until December 1970.

Brehm then joined Dart Industries as Vice-President for Corporate Development.

Brehm returned to the United States Department of Defense in 1973 as Assistant Secretary of Defense for Manpower and Reserve Affairs under United States Secretary of Defense James R. Schlesinger. He held this office until 1976 when he became Assistant Secretary of Defense for Legislative Affairs under Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld. He served as Assistant Secretary of Defense for Legislative Affairs from March 19, 1976, to January 20, 1977.

From 1977 to 1980, Brehm was executive vice-president of the Computer Network Corporation. In 1978, Brehm helped to found SRA International. He was the chairman of the board of directors of SRA International from 1980 to 2003. At the request of David Charles Jones, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Brehm headed a committee to redesign the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He was then chairman of the Center for Naval Analyses from 2003 to 2009.

Brehm was also a notable philanthropist. He made a $15 million contribution to Fuller Theological Seminary to found the Brehm Center for Worship, Theology, and the Arts. He also made a $44 million contribution to the University of Michigan W.K. Kellogg Eye Center to allow it to establish the Delores S. and William K. Brehm Center for Type 1 Diabetes Research and Analysis. In June 2011, he also made a $3.2 million contribution to Eastern Michigan University College of Education to develop a new special education center for research and scholarship.

Brehm died on July 30, 2025, at the age of 96.

References

References

1. [http://www.brehm.umich.edu/brehm-donor/brehm.html Profile from Brehm Scholars Fund]
2. [http://www.medicinethatspeaks.org/health-system-advisory-board/ Profile from University of Michigan Health System]
3. (April 2023)
4. [http://www.virginiabusiness.com/index.php/news/article/the-virginia-100-page-3/949/ "The Virginia 100", ''Virginia Business'', June 1, 2008]
5. [http://www.emich.edu/univcomm/releases/press_release.php?id=1308685074 Eastern Michigan University Press Release, June 21, 2011]
6. [https://www.niefuneralhomes.com/memorials/william-brehm/5623018/index.php William Brehm]