George K. Broatch

George Kenneth Broatch, 91, died at home in Port Townsend, WA, on October 8, 2016. Prior to 2015, he had lived on Bainbridge Island almost continuously since 1967. George was born in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, on January 28, 1925, the eighth of 10 children born to George Nelson and Jennie Elizabeth (Lewis) Broatch. During World War II, he enlisted in the Royal Canadian Navy, serving as a signalman in the North Atlantic. On May 12, 1945, he married Catherine Elizabeth Johnston, who had been a classmate at Central Collegiate Institute in Moose Jaw. The couple settled in Vancouver, where he attended the University of British Columbia, earning a law degree in 1950.

George and Catherine immigrated in 1950 to Fullerton, California, with the first three of their seven children. Over the next 30 years, George worked as an insurance claims examiner, adjuster, and manager in California and later in Washington State.

As a member of the Spokane Mountaineers, he became an avid climber, joining—and sometimes leading—teams that scaled the summits of major peaks in Washington, Oregon, and other Western states. George was also an accomplished amateur photographer who produced his own black-and-white and color prints, mostly of landscapes and architecture. He had volunteered at the Bainbridge Island Senior Center, helping seniors complete income tax forms; and at the Bainbridge Island Historical Society, cataloging photographs.

In addition to his wife, George is survived by his children: Linda J. Broatch and Marnie A. Frederickson (Erik), both of Port Townsend; Randall E. “Buck” Broatch (Sally Hildt) of Seattle; Robert S. Broatch of Spokane; Lindsay R. “Rudy” Broatch (Ronda) of Kingston; Sheila L. Broatch (Steven Weinberg) of Bainbridge Island; and Valerie C. Broatch (William Taylor) of Los Angeles. He is also survived by seven grandchildren: Christian Frederickson of New York City; Hans Frederickson of Port Townsend; Martin Frederickson of Marrowstone Island; Ariadne Weinberg of Buenos Aires; Zachary Zilber of Concord, CA; and Fiona and Duncan Broatch of Kingston; as well as six great-grandchildren.

In accordance with George’s wishes, no services were held.