Dr. Douglas Bower VanBrocklin

VANBROCKLIN, Dr. DOUGLAS BOWER age 80, died Saturday, March 30, 2019 at home with his family. Funeral Services will be 11:00 A.M. Saturday, April 6, 2019 at the Hill Funeral Home, 11723 S. Saginaw St., Grand Blanc, MI. Pastor Sue Colavincenzo officiating. Visitation will be Friday from 3:00 to 7:00 P.M. Douglas was born May, 7, 1938 in Owosso, Michigan to parents Margaret (Bower) and Clarence VanBrocklin. He attended school in Owosso participating in band (playing the trumpet) and sports to include tennis, football and wrestling. He graduated from Owosso High School in 1956 and subsequently attended the University of Michigan on a full scholarship where he played trumpet in the Michigan Marching Band. Upon completing undergraduate studies he attended Medical School at the University of Michigan, Graduating in 1963 with a M.D. degree. He then interned in Traverse City, Michigan for 1 year and thereafter was drafted into the U.S. Navy at the start of the Vietnam conflict. He spent two years on Active Duty primarily in Norfolk, VA where he was assigned to the destroyer John Paul Jones. Upon discharge in 1966 he began practicing Medicine in Allegan, MI and also returned to U of M for specialty training. In 1968 he began practicing Medicine at General Motors initially as an assistant Medical Director at AC Spark Plug in Flint, MI. After 5 years he was promoted to Regional Medical Director for Northern Michigan plants. During this time he returned to U of M to get his Masters degree in Public Health. His next promotion was to the Medical Director of all of General Motors, assuming the responsibility of 100 doctors and 650 nurses across the US. After this, he was again promoted to Director of Health and Safety for GM Worldwide; a position he held until his retirement in 1999. During his medical career he was on staff at Hurley Medical Center, McLaren Hospital, and St. Joseph Hospital in the Flint area. He was also on staff at Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak, MI. He was a member of the Genesee County Out Patient Association, Genesee County Medical Society, Michigan State Medical Society, Michigan Occupation and Environmental Medical Association, having served as president in 1985. During this time between the ages of 40-57 he began running as a hobby; running many races including the Crim 10 mile, the Detroit Marathon, and three Boston Marathons with the best time of 7 minutes and 11 seconds per mile for 26.2 miles. Upon retirement he spent winters in Florida where he played golf several times per week. Other hobbies included working with stained glass, playing tennis, and skiing, but he was most fond of the many opportunities he took to take his family to Disney World. He is survived by his wife Peggy and her two children Jill (Wagner) and husband Scott Sobol and son Brandon Wagner and wife Kristie (Parish). He also has his own two children from his first marriage to June Rowe, Dawnali (VanBrocklin) and husband Michael Bailey and a son Scott VanBrocklin. At the time of his passing he was blessed with twelve grandchildren Matthew, Amanda, and Victoria Bailey; Alexa (VanBrocklin) Balgenorth and Tyler VanBrocklin: William, Whitney, and Grayson Wagner; Cole, Max, Molly, and Jake Sobol. He is also survived by a brother, Dr. James VanBrocklin and family of Tucson, AZ.; also his dog Lucy. He was a long time member of the First Presbyterian Church of Flint. MI. In Lieu of flowers you can donate to the Wounded Warrior Project or Ronald McDonald House. Condolences may be left on-line at www.hillfh.com