CDR CHARLES E. BROSTROM, USNR (RET.)
CDR Charles E. Brostrom, USNR (Ret.), 91, long-term resident of Los Altos, CA, died Monday, November 14, 2005. He is survived by his daughters Rilda (Mrs. Roger) Matthews and Rona (Mrs. Glenn) Vaughn, grandchildren Michael Brostrom, Sonia (Mrs. Kelly) Doupe, Julie Matthews, Sean Matthews, Zachary Matthews and Glenn Vaughn Jr. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife Ella, son LTJG David C. Brostrom (USCG), sisters Sonia Long and Lillian Wadleigh and brothers Bill, Walt and Albert Brostrom.
Charlie was born in Saugus, MA on July 24, 1914, the oldest of the three younger children in his immigrant family. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy after graduation from Saugus High School in 1932, worked in aircraft maintenance and was a test subject for high-altitude flights after the SPCA objected to the Navy’s use of dogs for low-oxygen experiments. He proudly displayed his “caterpillar pin”, an honor accorded only to those whose lives have been saved by parachute silk, after his SF-1 carrier bi-plane went down in bad weather in Yoncalla, Oregon in June 1937. After his tour, he remained in the US Naval Air Reserve and was called back to active duty in December 1940. It was said that at that time he knew every enlisted man in Naval Air by first name. He obtained his commission during World War II, continued serving in the United States, Central America and Asia as a Naval Air Staff Officer and retired in 1959, shortly after receiving a Commendation for his role in commanding an innovative nationwide recruitment program. He, a Meritorious Service Medal winner, also served as President of the Retired Officers Association in California and died still ready and willing to be called back to active duty for Love of Country.
In the 1950s, Charlie started selling Real Estate. One of his first sales was land he found for famous golfer Sam Snead. He subsequently sold the property again and yet again. People liked him and the way he conducted business, so they often came back. Or maybe it was because he told great jokes-he was an active and long-standing member of Toastmasters International, a public speaking & service organization.
His Love of God was deep and he spent his life committed to behaving like a Christian. Others saw his tolerance and forgiveness of others’ failings without realizing the very high standards he set for himself. He was a member, elder and deacon of the First Presbyterian Church of Mt. View since moving to Los Altos in 1957. He was a lifelong member of the Mt. View Masonic Lodge, San Jose Sojourners and the Shriners Temple in San Mateo, after first joining the Masons in 1932 in Maine. He also was a Rainbow Dad to many.
He loved his family, his neighbors, his garden and his home. He and his regal wife enjoyed traveling the world during their 59 years together. He walked miles every day and taught his descendants to help him pick up litter for the bag he carried. Those who knew and loved him and the many who benefited from his jokes and the twinkle in his eye, joined his family at a Memorial Service at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 20, 2005, at the First Presbyterian Church, 1667 Miramonte (corner of Cuesta), Mt. View, California.
