BROEKSMIT--William Shaw, 58, died January 26 in London. He is survived by his loving wife of nearly 30 years, Alla Broeksmit; his son, Valentin Gregory Broeksmit; two daughters, Alessa Murray Broeksmit and Katherine Shaw Broeksmit; his mother, Jane Broeksmit; his sister, Laura Broeksmit Downing; and brothers Peter, John, Samuel, and Robert Broeksmit. His family and all whose lives he touched will miss him profoundly. Bill was born in 1955 in Chicago, the son of the late Rev. John Shaw Broeksmit, Jr. and Jane Murray Broeksmit. He was raised in Illinois and graduated from Lake Forest Academy in 1973 and from Claremont McKenna College in 1977. He earned an MBA at Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management in 1982. He started his banking career with Continental Illinois National Bank in Chicago. He held senior positions at Merrill Lynch and Deutsche Bank in New York and London and had recently retired from Deutsche Bank. He was a visionary financial executive and an inspiring mentor, considered to be among the finest minds in the fields of risk and capital management. Those who loved him most will remember him by his devotion to his family, brilliance, humility, eloquence, deep laugh, and love of cooking. Bill had a curiosity about all aspects of life, reading and traveling widely and relishing conversation with family and friends old and new. He was a compass, and his guidance cannot be replaced. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, February 8th, at 3pm at The Brick Presbyterian Church, Park Avenue at 91st Street. Memorials may be given to the National Institute of Mental Health.

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Published by New York Times on Feb. 2, 2014.

Memories and Condolences
for WILLIAM BROEKSMIT

24 Entries

Anna Davis

September 19, 2018

To Bill's family: Bill was one of my very first mentors whom I met in the 80s while a receptionist at Continental Bank in Chicago. I was a youngster just entering the workforce and I remember him asking me what are my vices. He was a good man and will be missed.

Kamal Mehta

March 14, 2014

Bills intellect and uncommon integrity shall be a cherished memory for many finance professionals like me whose paths crossed with his even briefly.

Gopal Menon

February 25, 2014

Dear Alla,

My most sincere condolences to you and the children. Nam and I wish to convey our deepest feelings to you in this very difficult moment. While we could not come to the NY ceremony as I was traveling Nam and I hope and trust that our paths may once again cross somewhere and we can reconnect.

We connected only briefly with Bill (and you) while in NY our memories of Bill are filled with his intellectual strength, wisdom and straightforwardness. We shall cherish that.

Sincere regards,

Jo Ann Alston

February 21, 2014

God bless Bills soul and look out for his family. Thank you Bill for being in our lives and being good person to your family and friends. Just know you were appreciated and always wished the best then and in the future in heaven

Jo Ann Alston

February 21, 2014

My dearest Alla and family,
My very heartfelt condolences. I am deeply sadden for you at this enormous loss and the difficult time you and yours must be going through. Please know that all of Bill's wonderful attributes were greatly appreciated and admired by those who knew him and that you have many friends in life who will help your through. Please know that if you need anything at all, you can count on me. Please do not hesitate to reach out to me. Sincerely, Jo Ann Alston

Michael Herskovitz

February 19, 2014

I pass along my sympathy to Bill's family. I had the honor of working with him at Merrill Lynch in the mid-1980's and fondly recall his wonderful spirit, intellectual insight and unparalleled integrity. May his memory be for a blessing.

Maureen Nathan

February 13, 2014

Dear Alla
My thoughts are with you and your family at this very sad and difficult time.
Maureen

Chas Hulley

February 11, 2014

Dear Alla, we all miss Bill and we are holding you in our hearts. Come see us in California or Cuttyhunk.

Vikki Leffman

February 10, 2014

Dear Alla, I wanted you to know that I am thinking of you in such difficult times. Although I really didnt know Bill very well he was always so kind I am so sorry for your loss. Much love,

Nancy Anarumo

February 9, 2014

So sorry to hear this, I worked for him at ML in the late 80's along with Joe argilagos. Truly a nice guy, I am sure he will be missed. Prayers for him and his family. Nancy Anarumo

February 8, 2014

To the Broeksmit Family,
I will always remember Bill as the nice person who made lobsters in Maine and loved to eat pizza with jalepenos. I work for his brother, Bob in Maryland. Bill loved to talk to me about my home country Brazil when he came to visit. He was so polite and will be greatly missed.
Elizangela Dantas de Lima

Stella Tooth

February 7, 2014

Dear Alla

Nigel, John-Paul, Jasmine and I send our heartfelt condolences to you and your family. We met Bill only a few times but found him to be a kind and friendly, gentle man. We, and all your artist friends in London, are deeply saddened by you loss. I am sorry we can't be with you in person at this time, but you are in our thoughts. Much love from us all.

Jean and Gary Shekhter

February 5, 2014

Dear Alla,
Want to send our deepest condolences to you and your family.
We spend time with you at Art Basel a few years ago.
Tracy Rose emailed us the sad news.
Our thoughts and prayers with you.

Mary Francina Golden

February 5, 2014

Alla, we are so sorry to hear of Bill's death. Please know that you and your children are in our prayers.
Love, Mary Francina Golden and Ken Handal

Yeonhang Chuah

February 4, 2014

To the Broeksmit Family,

We are deeply saddened by the sudden passing of Bill.

While being based in Tokyo, I had the honor of working with Bill at Merrill Lynch since 1986 and later at Deutsche Bank till 2004. We both worked under Edson Mitchell.

Shall always remember Bill as one of the most inspiring and innovative persons who had a huge influence on my life.

Rest in Peace Bill!

Yeonhang and Chinhuai CHUAH,
Tokyo

February 4, 2014

To Alla & Family,
We have been blessed and honored to call Bill our friend, we will miss him deeply. We send our condolences, prayers and our wishes for deep healing, and hope to provide you and your family with the additional shoulders and ears as needed. We are here for you. Much Love, Richard George & Gail Seeger

Alex Jurshevski

February 3, 2014

To the Broeksmit Family. Please accept our condolences on the sudden and unexpected loss of Bill. We will always treasure the fond memories of the many good times, the outings in London and environs, the many good meals and numerous glasses of fine wine that we shared together. You are in our thoughts at this most difficult time.

Alex Jurshevski, Teresa Cowan and Sven and Natasha

James Tucciarone

February 3, 2014

To the Broeksmit Family,

Please accept my sympathies for your terrible loss. I had the privilege to work under Bill during his tenure as head of the Merrill Lynch Swap Group. His compassion and humor as well as his intelligence inspired everyone who worked with him. Rest in Peace Bill!

Steven Bloomberg

February 3, 2014

My dear friend Jane,

I read about William with great sadness knowing a little about your shared interest in cooking and things of the brilliant mind.

Steve and Ann Marie Brown

February 3, 2014

Jane, we are thinking of you and sending lots of love. Wish we were there to comfort you.

George Handjinicolaou

February 3, 2014

Dear Alla,

I hope you remember us (George and Dorothea) - we had dinner at Daphne a few years back. We were shocked to hear the news. Please accept our deep and sincere condolences and we hope that God gives you and your family strength to go through this. With all our thoughts, love and sympathy. George and Dorothea Handjinicolaou

Vadim Khalin

February 3, 2014

Please accept our condolences for your loss. At this sad time and in the days to come, hoping you feel the care of others holding and sustaining you… surrounding you always.
So sorry for your loss. Vadim & Svetlana Khalin.

TJ Lim

February 2, 2014

I am deeply shocked to hear about Bill. As a former colleague who know him well since our ML days, Bill will be a tremendous loss to all who know him. I offer my deepest condolences to his wife Alla and family and have been praying for him.

February 2, 2014

The loss you feel is overwhelming. Your family have been in my prayers the last few days. Bill's family have blessed my life and my families life for years. Bill and I exchanged emails just before Christmas and talked about family connections. He will be missed. Lorna Rockwell Grant, Maine

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