Russell Frederick Brockmiller

Russell Frederick Brockmiller Jr., 84, of Traverse City and St. Charles, MI passed away surrounded by his family on April 21st at Munson Medical Center. He was born in Detroit on September 21, 1934, the only child of Russell and Jeanette (Carty) Brockmiller. Russ graduated from Redford High School in 1952 and went on to the University of Detroit to get his bachelor of arts degree in 1956. He served in the Michigan Army National Guard from 1956-1962. Russ talked of fond childhood memories visiting and helping out at his uncles record store in Ypsilanti, which he described as really hopping on Friday nights; taking the bus downtown to watch the Tigers play, and doing cake deliveries for Sanders where his father spent his career in finance. These were the days when delivery trucks did not have refrigeration and Russ would reminisce of the challenges of delivering wedding cakes in the summer city heat. He also talked of his family taking the train and visiting the Beulah area in his youth. This is perhaps when he came to love the woods, water and outdoors. He later took many fishing trips up into Canada, roughing it with his two sons and cooking the walleye they caught on the shore. On October 10, 1959 Russ married the love of his life, Nancy Foster Brockmiller. Together they raised four children and enjoyed a wonderful life together. Russ found his career interest to be on the sales side of the corrugated packaging business and in 1974 he helped start Mid-Michigan Container Corporation based in Edmore MI and later with a plant in Traverse City as well. He deeply valued his employees and was proud of this venture. He helped guide his company until 1995 when the business was sold to what is now Packaging Corporation of America, and in 1996 he retired to simply enjoy his family. He and Nancy had bought a log cabin on Torch Lake in 1967, where they spent as much time as possible with their kids in the summer. Upon retirement they built a year round home in place of the cabin and made northern Michigan their home. Russ recognized the importance of public service. He served on the Clio Area Schools Board of Education from 1968 until 1975 when he moved out of the school district. During this time he held the positions of treasurer and president. He was very much interested in the area of special education and served on the Special Education Planning Committee for the Genesee Intermediate School District. When he and his family moved from Clio to St. Charles, he then served on the zoning committee for many years. Russ is survived by three children, Kathryn ( Bernard ) Riker of Traverse City, John Brockmiller of Owosso and Kristin Brockmiller of Traverse City and two grandchildren, Lachlan and Aili Brockmiller of Traverse City and their mother Lauri Brockmiller. He was preceded in death by his wife of 57 years, Nancy Brockmiller and his son Karl Brockmiller who each passed in 2016. Russ was blessed to have excellent care from many, some of whom became thought of as friends. He enjoyed a great team of doctors, all affiliated with Munson Medical Center, and he loved the staff at Cordia where he felt proud to live. Most especially though he was grateful for the patient guidance he got from his physical therapist, Chris, at Grand Traverse Pavilions. His twice a week sessions where he would work so hard to try to walk independently again became a highlight of this week. Visitation for Russ will be held on Thursday, April 25th from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. at the Reynolds Jonkhoff Funeral Home. A memorial service will take place on Friday, April 26th at 11:00 a.m. with visitation one hour prior and a luncheon to follow. Burial will take place at the Eastport-Lakeview Cemetery overlooking Torch Lake. For those who may wish to make a memorial contribution, please consider Norte, P.O. Box 781, Traverse City, MI 49685, directed to the Amigo program which assists children of all abilities in learning to ride a bike, offers larger balanced bikes and adaptive bikes with a program at Oak Park school. As Russ’s ability to get around freely declined he became more and more empathetic to others who also struggled in this manner.

Russell Frederick Brockmiller

September 21, 1934 - April 21, 2019