Lieutenant Colonel Brian J Botkin

Lieutenant Colonel Brian J. Botkin, Air National Guard, passed away on April 14, 2015 in Baltimore, Maryland. Lieutenant Colonel Botkin had been the Special Advisor from the National Guard to the Joint Staff J5’s Deputy Director for Policy & Partnership. Brian provided essential political and military expertise to help build effective international partnerships.Brian was born on July 30, 1969 in West Branch, Michigan. He graduated as valedictorian from Mio AuSable High School in 1987. He attended Hope College in Holland, MI where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration in December 1991. He attended Officer Training School at Maxwell AFB, Alabama and received his US Air Force commission in June 1995. He began his professional military career as a Supply and Fuels Officer at Mountain Home AFB, Idaho. He served as Logistics Supervisor for the 86th Materiel Maintenance Squadron at Sembach AB, Germany where he participated in Operation ALLIED FORCE. Lieutenant Colonel Botkin returned stateside to the Air Force Institute of Technology where he earned a Master of Science Degree in Logistics Management and was a Distinguished Graduate in March 2002. He then served on the Logistics Staff at Headquarters Air Force Materiel Command as a Supply Chain Management Analyst, Wright Patterson AFB, Ohio. In September 2004, Lieutenant Colonel Botkin entered the Active Guard Reserve (AGR) Program with the Michigan Air National Guard (MIANG) at the Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center where he served as Director of Logistics. In November 2006, he deployed to EUCOM/J4 in Stuttgart, Germany and in May 2009, he deployed to Camp Eggers, Kabul, Afghanistan in support of Operations ENDURING FREEDOM and IRAQI FREEDOM. From October 2010 to December 2012, Lieutenant Colonel Botkin commanded the 127th Logistics Readiness Squadron, MIANG, at Selfridge ANGB, Michigan. Brian led a full and active life with a variety of interests. He embraced everything with a passion. He was an avid runner, hiker, skier, hunter, organic farmer, and scout leader. He was devoted to physical fitness and enjoying the outdoors with his family and friends.Brian is survived by his wife, Kelly (Monroe) Botkin; his children, Emily, Aidan, and Megan; his parents, Ray and Marcia Botkin; his brothers Chip Botkin and Christopher Botkin (Holly Jennings); and his sisters, Kathleen Botkin Gohsman; Sandra McMurrey (Al), and Suzanne McGhee (Jerry); nieces and nephews Kylie Hodges (Kent), Ian and Riana McMurrey, and Andrew, Aaron, and Evan McGhee; and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.A Memorial Mass is scheduled for Monday, 27 April 2015, at Guardian Angels Catholic Church in Clawson, Michigan. Interment at Arlington National Cemetery will occur at a later date.In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Wounded Warrior Project or to Fisher House Foundation.