Robert L. Brosey, 92, a longtime resident of Winlock, died Sunday, May 7, 2017, in Mesa, Ariz. He was the son of Albert Alexander Brosey and Emma Helene (Helen) Lenaberg Brosey. Robert was born March 31,1925, at St. John Hospital, Longview, Wash.
He spent his early years growing up in Clatskanie, Ore. In 1936, the family moved to Winlock,Wash., after purchasing a hardware store in that community. In 1943, he graduated from Winlock High School and joined the United States Navy shortly thereafter. He served as a torpedoman in the U.S. Navy and did service in the Perth, Fremantle area of Australia aboard the submarine tenders USS Euryale (AS-22) and USS Clytie (AS-26). After his honorable discharge, he returned to Winlock.
Robert married the love of his life, Norma Jean McGee Brosey June 1, 1946. They raised three children, Robert Jr., Richard and Barbara Jean, who died in 1960, due to complications following open heart surgery.
He enrolled in Washington State University in 1946, and completed one year before returning to Winlock to take over the operation of the family hardware business, following his father's illness. Robert ran the business for the next 40 years, before turning the business over to his oldest son, Robert Jr., in 1986. After retirement he and Norma Jean moved to Mesa, Ariz. While a resident of Winlock, he was a member of many service organizations and was a 70 member of the Winlock (now Robert Morris) Masonic Lodge, serving as master in 1961. He served for more than 26 years as a member of the Winlock Fire Department.
Robert's wife of 56 years, Norma Jean, died in 2002. In 2005, he met Barbara Mahron, of Mesa, Ariz., who became his companion, she died in 2014.
He is survived by his two sons, Robert Jr. (Wanda) of Chelan, Wash., and Richard (Patricia) of Chehalis; as well as five grandchildren, Ronald Brosey of Olympia, William Daniel Brosey of Virginia, Sherrill Surface of Longview, Sarah Schluter of Florida and W. Ryan Rogers of Federal Way; and four great-grandchildren.
A graveside service will be held at 2 p.m., Tuesday, May 16, 2017, at the Winlock Cemetery. Robert Morris Lodge and Archie Curtis will officiate. A reception will follow at the Winlock Fire Hall.
Arrangements are under the care of Cattermole Funeral Home, Winlock. Please visit our website at cattermolefh.com to leave a condolence.
