George Broomell

George Broomell, beloved husband, father, brother and friend passed away unexpectedly, though thankfully quickly and painlessly, on November 17, 2022. Those who knew and loved him are eternally grateful for his presence in their lives and appreciated him for his enthusiastic conversation, strong love for appreciating and documenting every moment of life, and his ever-present contentment and humor. George was a kind, gentle, patient and loving man living out the teachings of his Quaker upbringing. He often expressed his gratitude for his life, his pleasure and pride in his two children, and his love for his wife.

By profession, George was an engineer – and many will realize that is how he always functioned and thought. He earned his Bachelor and Master degrees from the University of Kentucky and Purdue University, respectively, before strategically taking a contract job for the US Navy in order to travel the world repairing ship motor generators. Describing his “frantic spare 24 hours” in over 26 international ports remained a favorite pastime of his for the remainder of his life. When he tired of continual travel, he returned to Kentucky and held a variety of jobs including commuting to Cincinnati to start a small company with his brother, Andy, while also teaching at the UK. Here, he met his wife Nancy and fathered his son Chris – he learned the utility of a laundry basket with a foam pad as an excellent first crib, a tidbit we know he would love prospective parents to know. Several years later, he accepted a job and moved north to work at Western Michigan University, where he managed and directed various engineering projects for 24 years while technology sometimes changed faster than a job could be completed. After retiring later than originally planned from WMU, courtesy of his daughter, Tracy’s, tuition fees, he was always cognizant and grateful that he was privileged to still enjoy many wonderful years of retirement.

George will be remembered in many ways. To some he was the Canoe King who liked to paddle out at sunset to see if he could find beavers surfacing at dusk, or in the day, to watch for an eagle, osprey or a new duck. When not silently paddling through the water alone, his favorite partner was Nancy, who he decided was “wife material” after canoeing with her, which they honored by spending their honeymoon canoeing together. To some he was the Salt of the Earth – always available, reliable in temperament and nature, making everything better. To many he was the person who had an abundance of words, none of which were ever unkind, and were always delivered with laughter and emotion in his voice. Others remember the incredible multitude of pictures he took at any family event, on his many travels, or as he worked through continuous house projects. He was his family’s River of Life - a calm and soothing eddy along a busy stream, constant in gentle motion and loveliness, providing stability throughout life’s continual waves. He was also the person always ready and willing to help and assist in problem solving or give an (overly) detailed explanation of how to accomplish something.

His scouting buddies, turned lifelong friends who still gather for outdoor trips or more simple reunions, remember his love for adventure and passion for sharing it with others. Indeed, he often repeated his sentiment that nature does good things for people. He lived his life clearly with this philosophy in mind, spending all the time in it he could and continually dragging along his children (and scouts) until they learned to love it as well. Despite sleeping “on the ground” decreasing in comfort as he aged, he camped near home with Chris often and enthusiastically. He even hiked up a mountainside with Tracy (and his beloved son-in-law John) last year, who he taught to love nature so effectively she moved across the country to the state most full of it. Though he likely expected to pass in Michigan, maybe the world understanding him is part of what helped him make it into Alaska first.

When he wasn’t outside, his favorite activities included folk dancing (especially with his wife after they met that way), reading (his love of books borne from his parents bookshop), learning (he loved this so dearly he kept a pile of old science and news magazines that he would read when he could and then pass on, even if the stories were years old by then), and endlessly editing and organizing his many pictures. He also had a passion for understanding and commemorating his life and spent many hours in the months before his passing organizing his family tree (including his beloved brothers and sisters-in-law – Barbara, Barbara Jean, and Dean), pictures, and writing a book about his life (which though incomplete, his family is now endlessly thankful for).

Of the many gifts George leaves behind, one is knowing that he wouldn’t want to be remembered in grief, but instead would prefer we join him in feeling and expressing profound gratitude, joy, peace, and love as we continue down the River of Life.

For those desiring, in lieu of flowers, George would appreciate a memorial donation to the Sierra Club or similar conservation organization. He would also equally love you to take a fully present walk or paddle outside to enjoy the beauty and life that surrounds us, as he most loved to do, while reflecting on your own life or his.

Given his unexpected passing and location, a Celebration of Life will be planned at a later date.