Samuel Brawand

[1][2] Brawand, who came from a modest background, lost his father, a mountain guide, at the age of four when he was killed by lightning at the top of the Wetterhorn.

[3][4][5][6] Brawand's first political position was a Gemeinderat (municipal council) seat held in Grindelwald.

[1][2] During World War II Brawand presided over the Begnadigungskommission (Clemency Commission) of the National Council.

From 1947 to 1962, Brawand was a member of the Conseil d'Etat of the Canton of Bern and headed the governing body for building and railway management.

[2] Brawand served on the administrative boards of several railway companies, was a member of the Internationalen Simplonkommission (International Simplon Commission) and President of Kraftwerke Oberhasli.