Thomas (Tom) Richard Brodowy of Helena, died after a long illness on April 3, 2023.

Tom was born March 10, 1950 in St. Paul Minnesota, the second child of Richard F. and Dorothy Brodowy, joining his brother Ted.  Richard, Jeralyn and Jim later joined the family.  In the early 60's Tom moved to Nisswa, Minnesota with his family.  Many summer and winter adventures were shared on the lakes.  Tom loved ice fishing, he spent countless hours after school in the fishing hut on Gull Lake. Tom graduated from Washington High School in Brainerd, Minnesota in 1968 and then attended Brainerd Vo Tech for a year.  In 1969, Tom joined his family moving to Helena, riding a motorcycle all the way from Brainerd to Helena.

Tom quickly embraced the Montana outdoor lifestyle: fishing, floating, hunting, hiking, camping, and skiing.  It was in Montana where Tom found his love for all things fly-fishing.  Going fishing, talking about fishing, reading about fishing, planning fishing trips, tying flies, building fly rods.  In the 1970's, Tom worked in Helena as an appliance salesman.  He lived in Great Falls, MT for a short time in the early 80's, and then moved to Kalispell, where he attended Flathead Valley Community College.  While in Kalispell, Tom supported himself by selling his hand-tied fishing flies, and working summers as a guide at the Spotted Bear Ranch, helping clients realize their dreams of fishing on the South Fork of the Flathead River.  Tom generously treated his family to floating adventures on the river.  Tom graduated from FVCC with an Associate of Arts Degree in 1985.

Tom attended Montana State University where he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business in June 1988.  Tom had a long career with the State of Montana Department of Labor and Industry, working in various positions and traveling throughout the state.  Tom retired in 2008, to go fishing on a more regular basis and take more photos.

Tom's passion for landscape photography rivaled his fishing obsession.  Starting out with film photography, he had many favorite subjects, including Glacier NP, Yellowstone NP, Grand Teton NP, and many locations in the desert Southwest.  Tom switched to digital photography and enjoyed countless hours on the computer editing photos.  He generously shared his talent with his family and gave them many beautiful photos which we have in our homes.  He also loved taking senior photos for the nieces and nephews, and was so generous of his time with the kids.

Family was important to Tom, he always showed up for family celebrations, camping trips, and casual get-togethers.  Tom's generosity to his nieces and nephews (Michelle, Shawn, Gabe, Stephanie, and Rebecca) will always be remembered.  He provided much-appreciated help to his father Richard in his later years.

Tom was preceded in death by his mother, Dorothy Ann Struttmann Brodowy, and his father, Richard Francis Brodowy, both of Helena, MT.  Tom is survived by his siblings and their families: Ted (Sue Near) of Helena , Richard (LaRae) of Florence, Jim (Margie) of Helena, and Jeralyn (Steve Klarich) of Bozeman.

Memorials in Tom's name may be made to Hospice of St. Peter's, 2475 Broadway, Helena, MT  59601.

Please join us for a memorial and celebration of Tom's life on Sunday September 10, 2:00 pm, at the Spring Meadow Lake State Park Pavilion in Helena MT, on Country Club Ave, across from Green Meadow Country Club.  Please contact Jeralyn at jerb@bresnan.net or 406-580-2670 if you have questions.  Simple Cremation Montana has assisted the family.