Madison County Engineer David Brand (center of photo) watches as one side of the Taylor Blair Road covered bridge is put into place in 2012. Brand passed away Dec. 31, 2015.
(Posted Jan. 12, 2016)
By Kristy Zurbrick, Madison Editor
Madison County lost a longtime public servant. David P. Brand, 49, died on Dec. 31 as the result of cancer. He had served as Madison County engineer for the past 15 years.
Brand is survived by his wife, Julie, and their two children, Andrew and Sophie. He graduated from St. Xavier High School and the University of Cincinnati College of Engineering. He first took office as Madison County engineer in 2000.
“One of the things David was known for was that he put his family as his top priority and the citizens of Madison County as a close second,” said Michael Boerger, president of the Madison County Townships Association, which in December bestowed their annual Friend of the Township award on Brand.
“He lived and breathed Madison County, and you couldn’t find a better public servant. There’s a big void to fill.”
Madison County Sheriff Jim Sabin worked closely with Brand through the weights-and-scale officer funded by the Engineer’s Office. The deputy is responsible for weighing and inspecting oversize vehicles, as well as serving as a traffic officer in school zones and where the department receives complaints of speeding and stop sign violations.
“Dave was very conscious of traffic safety and always had a lot of information and kept track of statistics in order to improve roadways and those hazardous areas,” Sabin said. “We always maintained a good working relationship. He was always understanding of the need for safer roads.”
Madison County Prosecutor Stephen Pronai worked with Brand on many projects over the years. Of Brand’s approach to his job, Pronai said, “The decisions he made were always for the betterment of the community and the safety of the people.”
Pronai noted that Brand was especially proud of the covered bridge constructed a few years ago on Taylor Blair Road in West Jefferson.
“It was something special he wanted for the county,” Pronai said.
Funeral services took place on Jan. 3 at Temple Israel in Columbus. The family was served by Epstein Memorial Chapel. Memorial contributions may be made to the Down Syndrome Association of Central Ohio, the Madison County Board of Developmental Disabilities, or the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network.
