Electrical engineer, father of Harvard woman
Bill Brogden (Courtesy photo)
William Reoch “Bill” Brogden, 80, of Newburyport, Mass., passed away at home June 26, 2014. Bill was born in Providence, Rhode Island, in 1933 to J. Ronald and Mary R. Brogden of North Kingston, R.I. He attended Moses Brown Preparatory School and Swarthmore College, and he graduated from Northeastern University with a degree in electrical engineering. Bill served his country during the Korean War.
Bill and his wife Nancy lived in Hartland, Vt., for 40 years, where Bill was actively engaged in many local activities, including the planning commission. He was an avid reader and played golf or tennis regularly. Most of all, Bill loved to be on or near the water, especially sailing on both Narragansett Bay and Lake Champlain. He and Nancy traveled the world extensively and lived in Taiwan for 4 years in the 1970s. Bill had a wry sense of humor and many good friends over the years.
Bill is survived by his wife of almost 53 years, Nancy Hallahan Brogden; his five daughters: Linda Joy, Mrs. Arthur Duperault of Tallahassee, Fla.; Aubre, Mrs. Edward Duncan of Ocean View, Del.; Pamela Jean Modricker of Plympton, Mass.; Mary Melissa, Mrs. David Marteney of Harvard, Mass.; and Mei-Ling, Mrs. Levi DeCastro of Rutland, Vt. He is also survived by his brother Douglas S. Brogden of Wicomico Church, Va.; eight grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, August 30, 2014, at 11 a.m. in the Congregational Church of Harvard. Cards may be sent to 3 Plummer Ave., Newburyport, MA 01950. In lieu of flowers, tax-deductible donations can be made in Bill’s name to Lowell’s Boat Shop, a national historic landmark and working museum with youth programs that teach the art of building handcrafted wooden boats in an effort to preserve the art and teach the value of craftsmanship. Lowell’s Boat Shop, 459 Main St., Amesbury, MA 01913.
