Bruce William Broderius

Bruce was born in Hutchinson, MN on December 8, 1935 to the late Frank and Florence Broderius. He was the middle child, with older sister Lyla and younger brother Frank (both deceased). His siblings were both profoundly deaf which played a big role is his life. He married his high school sweetheart, Shirley Miller, in 1958. They were married for 44 years when she passed away in 2002. Their son John David (J.D.) was born in 1967 in Greeley.

After graduating from St Cloud State University in MN, he went on to have a short career with the F.B.I., before teaching at Gallaudet University in D.C. for the deaf/hearing impaired. While in D.C. he earned his Master’s degree in Education from George Washington University. He and Shirley moved to Colorado in 1961 to teach in Denver before resuming his education, where he received his Doctorate in Education from UNC in Greeley. He then filled many roles teaching at UNC - culminating his career as Dean of Education, retiring in 1995. Public service was always a key aspect of his life, serving on many committees and boards over the years - a small sample includes; School Board President for Greeley/Evans district #6, Colorado Endowment for the Humanities, 1st Director of the High Plains Chautauqua, High Plains Library Finance Board, and Board of Trustees for his church.

Over the years Bruce’s hard work and dedication was rewarded with many accolades; The United Way Humanitarian award, Citizen of the Year, Lifetime Community Impact Award, and Honored Emeritus Faculty, to name a few.

In 2004, Bruce agreed to a blind date and was introduced to Katherine (Kay) Sandmeier. Their relationship blossomed - finding a second chance at love, after both losing spouses. Kay and Bruce shared many similar interests and a love for travel and married in 2007, blending families along the way.

If you had the pleasure of knowing Bruce over the years, you knew a friend that was very involved in education, fundraising, philanthropy, and all things learning. If you didn’t know Bruce personally, you or your family have probably benefited in some fashion from his years of hard work advocating for education in the State of Colorado. He was a fierce advocate and protector for the public education system and the libraries, firmly believing that only through a good and equal education system, can the youth of today, shape tomorrow.

Bruce had many hobbies and interests - he enjoyed hunting and fishing and had a cabin near Crystal Lakes, CO for many years. He was an avid gardener and treasured his time nurturing his vegetable and flower garden, particularly his favorite dahlias. Watching sports - whether it was his grandkids playing soccer and baseball or heading to Coors field for some front row seats to the Rockies games – he was an avid sports fan. In his spare time, he enjoyed traveling, visiting numerous countries around the world, which helped shapes his views. One of his passion projects was researching his family’s genealogy and travelling to Germany to meet distant relatives – he was the “keeper of the stories”.

Left to cherish his memories and carry on his legacy are his family near and far – his wife of 17 years, Katherine Sandmeier-Broderius; his children J.D. Broderius and his wife Barbara, Kathy Sandmeier, and Heidi Joyner and her husband Cliff; his grandchildren Kathryn Broderius and fiancé Ashton Martinez, William Broderius, Carmelle Joyner, and Cassidy Joyner.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to UNC Cancer Rehabilitation Institute (UNC-CRI) at 913 19th St, Campus Box 6, Greeley, CO 80634. This fabulous crew of Physical Therapists saw that Bruce led a quality life to the very end! Their support and comradery were instrumental to his wellbeing and longevity.

A Memorial Service will be held on July 13th at 1:30 pm at Greeley West High School.