OBIT: Norman Irving BROADWATER, Dr., 1940, of interest in Somerset County, PA

File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Meyersdale Library.
Transcribed and proofread by: Richard Boyer.

Copyright 2009.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
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NORMAN IRVING BROADWATER

Grantsville, Maryland

  This community was deeply saddened and shocked to learn of the untimely death 
of Dr. Norman Irving Broadwater, prominent Oakland physician, and one of 
Grantsville's native sons.  Dr. Broadwater died at the Memorial Hospital at 
Cumberland about 10 o'clock Tuesday night, Jan. 2nd.  Although the doctors in 
attendance had abandoned all hope of his recovery, nevertheless, his family and 
friends clung to the adage, "while there is life there is hope", and news of his 
death, which was expected hourly, was still something of a shock.
  Dr. Broadwater was admitted to the hospital last Friday for observation.  He 
had had a heart condition for several months, but only he himself realized how 
serious it was.  Being a man of few words, he never discussed his condition and 
his family and friends did not consider it particularly alarming.  He suffered a 
slight hemorrhage while attending to a patient on Thursday, but refused to give 
up until he had finished his work on the case.  He was later assisted to his 
home by friends and the physician called to attend him insisted upon taking him 
to the hospital for a check-up.  More serious complications developed and on 
Sunday morning he suffered a stroke of paralysis.  A few hours later he lost 
consciousness, which he never regained, and gradually grew weaker until the end.
  Dr. Broadwater was 57 years of age.  He was born in Grantsville, August 8, 
1882, a son of Gilead and the late Ada Maust Broadwater, natives of this 
community.  He spent his early life here, being educated in the local schools.  
In 1901 he entered the Medical School at the University of Maryland, from which 
he was graduated in 1909.  Shortly after that he went to Oakland where he began 
practicing his chosen profession and where he continued to reside for the past 
thirty years.
  Dr. Broadwater was widely known and was especially popular in his own 
community.  He boasted a large circle of friends and was held in the highest 
esteem by all who knew him.  An eminent physician, he ranked high among his 
colleagues and was considered by some to be one of the best diagnosticians in 
the state of Maryland.  In addition, he took an active interest in both the 
business and civic affairs of the community in which he lived.  At the time of 
his passing, he held the office of President of the Garrett National Bank, of 
Oakland, having been elected to the office about a year ago following the death 
of Charles W. Ream.  Previously he had served as a director of that institution 
and at one time was president of the Farmers Bank until it merged with the First 
National in 1931.  He was also the past president of the Garrett and Allegany 
County Medical Association, a member of the Oakland Rotary Club, the Masonic 
Lodge and a Shriner.
  In 1915 he married Miss June Bowden, of Cumberland, who, at the time, was a 
nurse in the old Western Maryland Hospital there.  She and their four children 
survive, namely, Norman Irving, Jr., a student in the University of Maryland 
School of Law; Robert, who is enrolled at Harvard; Mrs. Julius Renninger, a 
teacher in the Grantsville High School; and Miss Nelle Broadwater, at home.  He 
also leaves his father, Gilead Broadwater, and the following sisters and 
brothers: Mrs. Fred Livengood, Mrs. Marshall Beachy, Nevin U. Broadwater, 
Hayward F. Broadwater, all of Grantsville, and Hilary Broadwater, Union Bridge, 
Md.
  Upon establishing his home at Oakland, Dr. Broadwater transferred his 
membership from a Grantsville church to the old Memorial Presbyterian Church, at 
Oakland.  This was later converted into the St. Matthew's Episcopal Church, from 
which funeral services were conducted at 2:30 o'clock Thursday afternoon, Jan. 
4.  Rev. David C. Trimble, pastor of the church and a close friend of the 
deceased, officiated.  Music was furnished by the church choir. The many and 
beautiful floral tributes were silent evidence of the love and respect accorded 
one whose entire life was spent in service to his family and fellow citizens.
  Acting pallbearers were D. Edward Offutt, William R. Offutt, Howard C. Riggs, 
Lester Yutzy, Dr. E. I. Baumgartner, Dr. William W. Grant, Ronald McIntyre and 
Carlton McComas.  Serving as honorary pallbearers were Dr. Arthur Hawkins, Dr. 
W. A. Gracie, Dr. Fred Williams, Dr. Howard Tolson, Dr. R. C. Bowen, Dr. H. T. 
Robinson, Dr. J. Garrett Coward, all of whom are members of the Allegany Medical 
Association, Messrs. William Sturgiss, Thomas A. Gonder, Joseph E. Harned, 
Franklin E. Rathbun, and E. Ray Jones.
  Interment was in the Oakland Cemetery.

Meyersdale Republican, January 11, 1940