Matthew Broaddus
Mathew Howard Broaddus, born November 12, 1962 passed away at home on December 23, 2008. He is survived by his mother Marylou von Scheele, his brother David von Scheele, his sister Paulene Collins and his nieces and nephews Brooke and Hunter Collins, Josh, Jessica and Janessa von Scheele. A celebration of Matty’s life will be held Saturday January 10, 2009 from 12-6pm at Titlow Lodge 8425 6th Ave Tacoma, WA. In lieu of flowers or gifts, donations can be made at any Washington Mutual.
Matt and I first met when I was working behind the bar at the Parkway and he was a regular customer. As the years passed, we swapped positions – I no longer worked at the pub but Matt had taken a job there a few days a week. He was quick with a smile, had a strong hand shake and had the ability to listen and to empathize that that few people possess (and most of them are bartenders.)
I last saw Matt about a month ago. He came into the shop and we talked about kayaks for an hour or so. I went through the different styles of paddles with him and we talked about what kind of paddling he wanted to do. He was excited by the prospect of buying a boat, of going to places close to home and other places farther away, along the Inside Passage, between here and Alaska. He talked about the things he wanted to see, and about the peace and power he associated with the water. His desire to go seemed almost deperate, like a fire was burning inside him and the only way to keep it under control was to keep moving.
He didn’t get to paddle his own kayak. I will miss him and I will always be sorry that I never got the chance to help him get out on the water. As it turned out, he didn’t have as much time left as he thought he did.
But then, none of us do.
About Ken Campbell
New Release
A story of sea kayaking and science on the rugged coast of Alaska. Coming – Spring 2014.
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