Max Berner Bromley
October 29, 1948 –
July 5, 2022
Max Bernerd Bromley, 73 of Ann Arbor, died suddenly on July 5, 2022 at his home. He was born in Reed City, Michigan on October 29, 1948, to the late Bernerd Ernest and Laura May (Rockwell) Bromley. His father was the county sheriff of Lake County at that time. The family moved to Traverse City in March 1953.
Max attended Central Elementary, Traverse City Junior High, and graduated from Traverse City Senior High School in 1966. He earned an associate’s degree from Northwestern Michigan College in 1968 and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan in 1970. He has continued his studies in computer science. at Washtenaw Community College, which led to positions of increasing responsibility in information technology and knowledge management, both nationally and internationally, with computer technology companies Digital Equipment, Hewlett-Packard and Compaq.
Max married Sandra Kay Rokos of Traverse City on May 22, 1970 in Ann Arbor where they had resided ever since. He was a loving and steadfast husband throughout the 52 years of their marriage.
Max made friends wherever he went. He had a knack for making a real connection with anyone of any age and background. When Max made a friend, he embraced friendship for life. He was faithful. He always showed up. His friends and colleagues appreciated his insight, his expertise and above all his sense of humor. He was playful, witty and smart with his returns. Max could riff with the best of them.
Max was happiest in the natural world by a river or in a forest. He had a long-standing reverence for nature and a great appreciation for its beauty. He was an outstanding canoeist, fly fisherman and carpenter. He hiked, biked and skied. Max was a committed conservationist and volunteered with the Huron River Watershed Council and with conservation groups dedicated to protecting the rivers of his beloved Up North. He loved the cottage on the Betsie River that he and Sandy bought and renovated over the past eleven years.
Max’s life had a soundtrack. His playlist was diverse and included singer-songwriters and artists from Woody Guthrie and Ramblin’ Jack Elliott to John Prine and Billy Strings. His Gibson Southern Jumbo could tell tales of his hitchhiking adventures at the Newport Folk Festival after high school. Max particularly enjoyed listening to live music. He was an early supporter of The Ark and the Southeast Michigan folk scene. He was a regular at house concerts organized by a friend and once committed to attending a concert every night for a week.
Max was predeceased by his parents, Bernerd and Laura Bromley; and her stepfather, Peter Winegar.
He is survived by his wife, Sandra; Mike and Lana (Bromley) Nickels, Ned and Cindy (Peckham) Bromley; five nieces and nephews and their children. He will also be missed by Sandra’s sisters, Jean Rokos; and Julie Nelson and their families.
The family is being cared for by Nie Funeral Home in Ann Arbor. The cremation has taken place. Celebrations of Max’s Life will be held in Ann Arbor on Sunday, August 28 from 4-6 p.m. at the Delhi Metropark North Picnic Shelter, 3902 East Delhi Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48103 and in Traverse City on Saturday, October 8 from 4-6 p.m. 6 p.m. at the Grand Traverse Conservation District Boardman River Nature Center, 1450 Cass Rd, Traverse City, MI 49685.
If you want to make a contribution to his memory, Max enjoyed the work of Boardman River Clean Sweep, 10422 Peninsula Dr, Traverse City, MI 49686, http://www.brcleansweep.org/; Grand Traverse Conservation District, 1450 Cass Rd, Traverse City, MI 49685, https://natureiscalling.org/; and the Huron River Watershed Council, 1100 N Main St STE 210, Ann Arbor, MI 48104, https://www.hrwc.org/
Please share your thoughts and memories with Max’s family at https://www.niefuneralhomes.com/memorials/max-bromley/4971922/index.php
Published on July 17, 2022
