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Gordon W. DeBroder Ph.D.

Gordon DeBroder Obituary

75. Passed away Dec. 18, 2006. Beloved brother, uncle, teacher, and friend. Survived by 2 bothers, Charles and Glen, 2 sisters, Gloria Whitfield and Caryl DeBroder, numerous nieces and nephews. Memorial Service, Friday, 10 am, Wheat Ridge United Mehodist Church 7530 W. 38th. In lieu of flowers donations to either Wheat Ridge United Methodist Church or Lakewood United Methodist Church.

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Published by Denver Post from Dec. 21 to Dec. 28, 2006.

Memories and Condolences
for Gordon DeBroder

16 Entries

Joyce Quintanilla (Valdez)

January 25, 2025

Mr. D.Broder was my piano teacher for seven years. I'm 79, and I still play music he taught me, I loved him and have fond memories of this wonderful teacher.

Shelley Black

May 8, 2007

Dear Uncle Gordon ... dear mentor, teacher, counselor, and friend .... we miss you very much, and think of you every day. Thank you for your love, your thoughtfulness and kindness. David remembers with fondness your hilarious phone calls trying to find out if I was practicing my piano! Life was so much fun with you around.

Love, Shelley, David, Devin and Colleen Black

Judy Ziegler (Edinger)

January 2, 2007

Ah! What a great addition to heaven’s choir, whether as a soloist, a tenor, a baritone, a conductor or the accompanist was made on December 18! Was there anything this classically trained musician could not do? Well, yes. He could and would not do modern or contemporary – at least in a religious setting. Even last year at my mother’s memorial service, when I asked my dear friend of 40 years to do a little more up-beat "When the Saints Go Marching In”, it was not to be. I should have known better! When I was spring-cleaning last fall, I found the letter he had sent me inviting me to sing in his church choir. He didn’t know me from Adam. I began attending the church after graduating college because a young man I was interested in was a sometime member there. But they had a great choir, and I enjoyed good classical religious music, so I continued and sang hymns with gusto. Gordon always recognized gusto! Like so many, I became a member of Gordon’s groupies. He went with me to buy my first new piano and became my teacher after 15 years of not playing. Mostly, I just watched him play! He sang at my wedding 15 years later. I moved out of state and then back again. Gordon remained in Edgewater with that lovely concert grand in the middle of his living room, called me and we just started up where we left off. Without him, I would never have learned how to sing in a group, how to recognize the dynamics of choral singing, how to not sing final “r’s”, how to serve Van Cliburn coffee or beer or scotch (to be frank I don’t remember what it was) in Gordon’s small living room without shaking (remember, that concert grand was there, and Mr. Cliburn did play and I was somewhere in my twenties), and how to almost get rid of my nerves in a piano recital. My life has been so very blessed by having Gordon in it. A humble man, when ultimately "reduced" to a choir member, his wonderful, powerful voice could barely be heard unless he soloed, because, as he said, he “wanted to blend in.” No one asked him to blend, and no one wanted him to “blend.” I am sure that voice is not “blending” now in heaven, but can be heard in full force singing the great tenor arias and solos, as well as helping along the tenor and baritone sections in the great works of Bach, Beethoven, Mozart, Brahams, Faure, Mendolssohn, and Handel, as well as the 20th century composers who, it seemed, wrote music just for him to sing. And we, his students and his friends, regardless of our ages, will remember what he taught us everytime we sing or play or listen to one who does. God bless you my friend.

Virginia Alexander

January 1, 2007

Gordon was a dear friend, neighbor, and music teacher. I will cherish all I learned from him and the time I was blessed to have him as a friend. My love for music has been made richer by knowing Gordon and to his family I send my condolences and thanks for sharing him with all of us! God bless and keep you all!

Janelle Siemens

January 1, 2007

Gordon is a one-in-a-lifetime friend, teacher, musician and
vocalist. It is a great sadness to
know he is gone. He was my piano and voice teacher for many years.
The greatest gift I received from
Gordon was his deep love and passion for sharing everything he
knew and everthing he had with all
of those who asked of him. You will always be in my heart, my dear
friend and teacher.

Suzanne Tebow-Leaf

December 30, 2006

Gordon and I sang together at Denver University and he sang at our wedding in 1955. I remember his beautiful voice and appreciate learning of his life and accomplishments. Loving condolences to his family.

Debbie Torp

December 30, 2006

Gordon was my piano teacher in high school. I fondly remember playing Chopin for him. I am a professional musician and am very grateful for his helping me sense and understand musicality and the real beauty in music. He used to ask me questions that made me really think! I remember also singing in a choir he directed, and after finishing a song, he would look up as if to give this music as a gift to God.

Nikki Fulton

December 29, 2006

Gordon DeBroder taught my husband Robert Fulton piano from the age of 12. But he was more than a piano teacher, he became a Grandpa, a friend. I know that Rob and I are not alone in our feelings for Gordon. He was all heart, talent, love. He was amazing when he sat at the piano and when he sang, WOW you wouldn't know he had that power from his softspokeness. Robert and I have so many wonderful memories spent with Gordon. Gordon, my friend you will be missed greatly and remembered fondly.

Deo Fredrickson

December 27, 2006

I instantly had a new friend when I was first introduced to Gordon in my senior year at Lakewood High School. This is how Gordon is. He felt my adam's apple and said I would be welcome addition to his church choir. And eventually I did join his church choir. That was over 30 years ago. He was a friend, my voice teacher at CSU, and a mentor in the music world and the world at large. I saw Van Cliburn perform because of Gordon! Always generous, sometimes to a fault, a ready smile and a kind word. I knew maybe a 10th of the people he knew and he seemed to know everyone, or they knew him. The world is a darker place without his wit and wisdom. More than once I took the green taxi from Fort Collins to Denver during college. The definition of gentle should be amended to include like Gordon Debroder.

Duane Wise

December 27, 2006

I am sure his students experience his passing as they once experienced his insights, commitment, and humor. Even the older and recalcitrant students, such as myself. The local music community has sustained a big loss.

Fred Williams

December 27, 2006

Doctor DeBroder was my voice teacher in the 70's. He was a fine and caring teacher. My condolences to his family.

John Fenner

December 23, 2006

Gordon was a quite man with a stunning smile. Underneath his quiet manner was a sincere, reliable, deep man. I got to know Gordon briefly when he sang tenor with the Denver MountainAires barbershop chorus. I had the privilege of directing Gordon in the chorus. Since his illness, there has been an empty spot on the risers and in our hearts. We will miss you, brother.

Steven Jackson

December 23, 2006

All of us in the Denver MountainAires barbershoppers extend sympathies and best wishes to the family of Gordon DeBroder. Gordan sang tenor with our chorus until he became ill earlier this year. It's very sad to lose a brother in harmony.

Scott Spalding

December 23, 2006

Gordon was my teacher, my mentor, and my friend. I learned a lot about music and about life from him. Everyone who knew Gordon understood what a kind and generous man he was. We'll miss you, Gordon!

Matthew Smith

December 21, 2006

Gordon was the most generous, caring and intelligent person I have known. He was always offering his wit, knowledge, time and love, all selflessly. He made me laugh, made me feel appreciated, and was never without a story. I will miss him greatly.

Tyler Collins

December 21, 2006

Gordon was a loving man with a pure heart that touched everyone. He was always recruiting for his choir, vocal students and friendship. It was a blessing to have him in our lives. He helped me sing, grow and love life. He should have had many more years. It makes me feel like a mistake has been made and as Gordon would say "du hast ein fehler gemacht." He will be missed.

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