Alvin Oscar "Al" Bramstedt Jr.
Sep 13, 1950 -
Aug 6, 2025
Former KTUU-TV General Manager Alvin Oscar "Al" Bramstedt Jr., 74, signed off for the last time on Aug. 6, 2025, at Mat-Su Regional Hospital in Palmer, Alaska. His wife, Susan, whom he lovingly called "my Shmoopie," was by his side.
Al was born in Fairbanks, Alaska, on Sept. 13, 1950, to pioneer broadcaster Alvin Oscar and Rosa Lea (Bailey) Bramstedt. In 1955, the family, which included young Al's older sisters Susan and Janet and baby sister Shelley, moved to Anchorage.
Al attended Turnagain Elementary and Central Jr. High, and graduated West Anchorage High in 1969. He completed a bachelor of business administration major at University of Alaska Anchorage, but for lack of an Algebra tutor did not receive a diploma. UAA's College of Business & Public Policy did honor him in 2007 for Outstanding Service Contribution.
Al joined the Alaska Air National Guard and completed basic training, but was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes and received a medical discharge. Decades later, his service to the USAF would take another form when he was asked to join the Alaskan Command Civilian Advisory Board.
KENI radio operations hired Al to air religious programs on Sunday nights. His first day of training was March 5, 1967, a date that became so important to him that he paused every year to observe the anniversary.
Later that same year KENI-TV operations hired him, and he quickly learned every job in the department. His favorite was working camera. His most memorable event behind the lens occurred on Sept. 26, 1971, when Emperor Hirohito and President Nixon met at Hanger 5 on Elmendorf Air Force Base. Al was an avid student of presidential history, and he lit up whenever he recounted the thrill of being the operator whose camera followed the emperor down the airstairs to the tarmac, where the president was waiting to greet him.
By the time a Seattle-based company bought KENI-TV, renaming it KTUU, Al was station manager. The new owners made Al general manager, and the rest has become legend in Alaska broadcast history. For almost 27 years, Al guided KTUU to the top of the Anchorage television market. He believed firmly in the power of television and in the medium's responsibility to be a steward to its viewers.
Al co-founded the Better Business Bureau of Alaska and served on several boards, including the Alaska Zoo, American Diabetes Association (ADA) and Alaska Airlines Community Advisory Board. He chaired the UAA Journalism and Public Communications Advisory Council and the Municipality of Anchorage Ethics Board. He was president of the Advertising Federation of Alaska, Alaska Broadcasters Association (ABA), and Anchorage East Rotary. In 2005, he was Lord Trapper for the Anchorage Fur Rendezvous.
In 1985, the ABA named Al Broadcaster of the Year, and in 1992 it welcomed him to the Hall of Fame. In 2008, he received the prestigious A.G. Hiebert Lifetime Achievement Award.
In 2013, the ADA awarded him the Golden Rose, which recognizes individuals who have significantly contributed to the welfare of those facing the challenges of diabetes.
Al had a passion for "old cars," and collected vintage motorcycles and automobiles that he restored "to original."
His other hobby was cutting and splitting wind-felled trees at his property on Echo Lake - "the one near Big Lake" - his favorite place on earth. When he wasn't cutting wood, he loved to relax in the sun or motor around the lake on his raft, powered by one of the vintage outboards he'd restored. He enjoyed all these activities with his children, and later on with his nieces, nephews and grandchildren.
Al credited his parents for his success in both business and life. He had a deep love and respect for them both, and appreciated how much fun they were.
Al will be remembered for courage in the face of multiple health problems caused by 54 years of type 1 diabetes. Thanks to advances in medicine and technology, he lived a rich life despite heart disease, strokes, amputation of his lower left leg and reduced circulation in his right hand and leg. Countless people have been inspired by his positive attitude. Even when he learned that his kidneys were irreversibly failing, he accepted the outcome with astounding grace.
Al was preceded in death by his father and mother. He is survived by his wife of 34 years, Susan O. Bramstedt; son, Brian (Stephanie); daughter, Kelsey Moore (Jim); grandchildren, Ava Bramstedt, James Moore and Leo Moore; and sisters, Susan R. Bramstedt, Janet Tatham (John) and Shelley Bramstedt.
Al strongly advocated funding the research toward a cure for diabetes. If you wish, you may honor his memory at www.diabetes.org/ways-to-contribute or by mailing a check to American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 7023, Merrifield, VA 22116-7023.
A private celebration of life is planned.
