Obituary of Corwin Hazen "Sam" Broesamle

Sam Broesamle, 92, of Bedford, passed away at home on August 31, 2024. Sam was born on June 23, 1932, to Hazen Edward Broesamle and Eleanor L. Van Antwerp in Jackson, Michigan.

After graduating from Jackson High School, Sam joined the United States Air Force where he served his country for 21 years. Sam was deployed to France during the Korean War and to Vietnam during the Vietnamese War. Among the various posts he was assigned to, Sam was stationed at the Peaks of Otter Radar Station, where he met and married Pearl Hannabass. Sam retired from the Air Force in 1972 as a Master Sergeant and spent time on his farm in Bedford County. After attending National Business College and receiving his Degree, Sam went to work for the City of Bedford Public Works Department, where he retired as the Director. Sam volunteered at the National D-Day Memorial in Bedford Virginia and was a member of the Bedford International Alliance until his health would not allow him to continue. Sam was also a volunteer with the Shepherds Table in Bedford. Sam and Pearl started S&P Funnel Cakes and served them at Centerfest in Bedford, and other festivals in Virginia. Sam was a member of Ephesus United Methodist Church and enjoyed participating in the Church Fish Frys. Throughout the years Sam and Pearl hosted Foreign Exchange students and adult visitors from various countries.

Sam is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Elizabeth Broesamle Harmony and Franklin Edward “Eddie” Harmony; brother and sister-in-law, Edward V Broesamle and Suzi Manara; a close cousin, Dale Kinch; nephew, Ron and Kitty Hanabass; and many nieces and nephews in Michigan.

Sam was preceded in death by his wife, Mazina Pearl Broesamle; son Edward William “Boo” Broesamle; sisters, Jean Lehman and Nancy Panelas and stepfather, Leslie Mack.

Sam loved to hunt and fish with his son, Edward “Boo” Broesamle and spent much time in the woods and streams of Bedford, Virginia, Michigan, and Alaska. Sam travelled for many years to the “Ranch” in Ingomar, Montana for hunting trips and an annual “fish fry” with his cousins, Wayne and Lowell Broesamle and dear friend, Kip Jas. His last trip to the “Ranch” was in September of 2019 with Eddie, Mike and Dan Harmony where he had a memorable visit with the Kanta family and friends. Sam also loved to travel with Pearl, Liz, and Boo and visited every state in the United States. In addition to the countries where he was stationed during his service to his country, he also loved to visit France where he traveled with the Bedford International Alliance to pay tribute to the “Bedford Boys” who lost their lives on D-Day, June 6, 1944, on the shores of Normandy France.

Sam spent his last years living in the town of Bedford with Liz and Eddie where he received wonderful care from Terisa, Teresa and Robin.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to the National D-Day Memorial and the “Bedford Boys” Tribute Center in Bedford, Virginia.

A funeral service will be held at 2 PM on Sunday, September 15, 2024 at Updike Funeral Chapel, Bedford with Rev. Wayne Murphy officiating.  The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.  Interment will follow in Ephesus Church @ Otter Hill Cemetery.

Arrangements are being handled by Updike Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Bedford.