Obituary of Dr. Harold Robert Broman Jr.

Dr. Harold Robert Broman, Jr., age 88, of North Saint Paul, Minnesota, died peacefully early Tuesday, April 16, in his apartment at The Shores of Lake Phalen. He was preceded in death by his wife of 60 years Margaret Rom Broman; his parents, Harold Robert Broman, Sr. and Martha Gronseth Broman; sister Carolyn Broman Connolly, brother-in-law Rev. Kenneth Connolly and brother Stephen Michael Broman. 

Dr. Broman is survived by his children: Mari (Paul) Olsen, Kirsten (Kenny III) King, Betsy (Matthew) Webb, Harold III “Gus” (Margie) Broman; his grandchildren: Hanne Sandison (Kyle), Kyrie Anderson (Isaiah), Kenny King IV (Madeline), Danny King (Anna), Greta Dvorak (Alex), Timothy King (Tamara), Emma Webb, Esther Pellegrino (Phil), Bjorn Webb (Maddie), Tobias Webb, Levi Webb, Eli Broman (Kia), Anders Broman, Hans Broman; and eleven great-grandchildren. As he often told each, he loved them “Soooooooooooo MUCH!” 

Born December 5, 1935, in Duluth, Minnesota, Dr. Broman graduated from Fond Du Lac high school in 1954, choosing to study medicine at the University of Minnesota – in part because he “heard medicine was hard.”  When visiting Bethany Evangelical Free Church in Madison, Wisconsin, where his mother served as the adult Sunday School teacher, he met Margaret Rom, the pastor’s daughter.  

Harold and Margaret married at Bethany on September 19, 1959, moving to St. Paul for his internship at Bethesda Hospital. He started his family medicine practice at the North St. Paul Medical Center, with a medical career that included: 

Delivering more than 1,400 babies  

Serving as an Air Force Captain in Duluth, Minnesota (1962-63) 

Mentoring residents, as an Assistant Professor of Medicine, University of Minnesota (1972-76) 

Serving as the Chief of Staff at St. John’s Hospital (1977-78, St. Paul) 

Presiding over the Health Resources Board during the planning and building of St. John’s Maplewood Hospital (completed 1985) 

Being appointed by then-Governor Al Quie as president of the Minnesota State Board of Medical Examiners (1979-1983) 

Dr. Broman desired to faithfully follow Jesus, which he did in service with Margaret: at First Evangelical Free Church St. Paul and as founding members of Lakewood Evangelical Free Church (now Rockpoint Church). Their Silver Lake home was the site of more than 400 people baptized, in 40 years. In addition, Dr. Broman was part of a Bible study whose members founded the North Saint Paul prayer breakfast. He also provided medical care on church service trips to China, Mongolia, and Romania. A staff member at The Shores described him as faithful (to his God), helpful (to residents in the common area), and thankful. 

Dr. Harold Robert Broman, Jr. will be interred at Evergreen Memorial Garden in Oakdale in a private service. In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests that contributions in his name be made to The Salvation Army Northern Division, 2445 Prior Ave. N, Roseville, MN 55113, or online at http://salvationarmynorth.org/give. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7vTs4lf-ITI