Warren Alex Broderson

Services will be at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday at American Lutheran Church.

Mr. Broderson was an optometrist.

Survivors include his wife, M. Patricia; one son, Eric of Grand Junction; one daughter, Elizabeth “Betsy” Learned of Grand Junction; one sister, Bernadine Zeigler of Fruita; 16 grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.

Memorial contributions may be made to HopeWest, 3090B N. 12th St., Grand Junction 81506; or American Lutheran Church, 631 26 1/2 Road, Grand Junction 81506.

Warren Broderson

May 22, 1928 - March 31, 2015

Warren A. Broderson was born May 22, 1928, in Grand Junction, CO. He died Tuesday, March 31, 2015, at the VA Community Living Center in Grand Junction.

Warren was born to William and Priscilla Broderson. He graduated from Fruitvale High School in 1946, Mesa College in 1948, and received his doctorate degree from the University of Southern California College of Optometry in 1952.

Dr. Broderson began establishing his personal practice of Optometry in 1952, but had to postpone his work because of the Korean War. He enlisted in the United States Air Force on March 4, 1952, and was honorably discharged on March 3, 1955. He was stationed in Japan for 27 months in the medical service of the Air Force during this time. He returned to Grand Junction and once again began to establish his practice. He married Patricia Dennis on April 29, 1956. They would have celebrated 59 years of marriage this month.

He was very active in the Colorado Optometric Association and served as president in 1962. He was involved in establishing the Optometric Center for Indigents in Denver, CO and he served on the board of Optometric Examiners and many committees within his profession. He served eight years on the State Board of Health, appointed first by Governor John Love and then a second term by Governor Richard Lamm. He was given the honor of being named Optometrist of the Year in 1977. He was a director of the Chamber of Commerce in 1976, and a member for many years and president of the Grand Junction Rotary Club in 1970.

He served on the original board of the Health Maintenance Organization that later became Rocky Mountain Health Plans. He served on the Marillac Clinic board and established their first eye clinic. He was an original member of the Mesa College Foundation and was the first recipient of the distinguished alumni award at Mesa College.

Dr. Broderson retired from his optometric practice in 1994, and acquired WestCon Contact Lens Company which he operated until he sold it and fully retired. He was an active member of the American Lutheran Church for 50 years. He loved air planes and obtained his pilots license, fulfilling a dream. He enjoyed golfing, hunting, jeeping in the mountains and deserts and most of all, people. He was always ready to help anyone.

Services will be held at the American Lutheran Church, 631 26 ½ Road, Grand Junction, Tuesday April 7, 2015 at 1:30pm.

He is survived by his wife, Pat; children, Eric Broderson and Betsy Learned; sister, Bernadine Zeigler of Fruita, Colorado; eight grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; five nephews and one niece, all of whom he dearly loved.

Warren will be deeply missed by family and friends. If you wish, memorial contributions can be made to HopeWest, 3090B N.12th Street, Grand Junction 81506 or American Lutheran Church, 631 26 ½ Road, Grand Junction 81506.

Published in The Daily Sentinel on Apr. 3, 2015