Thomas Ray Broadbent

Thomas Ray Broadbent 1921 ~ 2007 Thomas Ray Broadbent, beloved husband, wonderful father, world-renowned plastic surgeon, and icon of personal excellence and integrity died quietly at his Salt Lake City home in the early hours of Sunday, August 12, 2007.The tenth of eleven children, Ray grew up in Heber City, Utah. He was born August 4, 1921, to Charles and Sarah Jane Broadbent, who had a small farm and ran the Wasatch Wave, a local newspaper. He learned to work hard and to view the opportunity to work hard as a blessing from an early age. He attended Wasatch High School and has been honored as one of the school's most accomplished and distinguished graduates. Ray attended Brigham Young University, receiving a Bachelor of Arts in Zoology in 1943, and then studied medicine at Duke University in Durham, North Carolina, receiving his Medical Doctorate degree in 1946. After completing general surgery residency and a brief beginning towards a career in neurosurgery, he made a change and took the road less traveled, becoming one of the first surgeons trained at Duke in the new field of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. His career partner in practice was his friend and esteemed colleague, Dr. Robert M. Woolf. Together, they built a successful practice and a prestigious residency training program here in Salt Lake City, Utah. Ray became the Secretary General and later President, of the American Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, was on the Executive Committee of the International Congress of Plastic Surgery from 1964 to 1975, and was a member of the Board of Medical Examiners for many years. In those years, this field of medicine was not yet a recognized specialty in many countries of the world, and he had the privilege and honor of traveling the world and meeting with officials of many nations in support of its recognition. He loved his work and helped thousands of people over the course of his career to lead more comfortable lives, particularly by his gifted combination of technical skill, aesthetic sense of beauty, and genuine caring for his patients. He was particularly well known for his cleft lip and palate work, and innovated many techniques and advances in the field. He was the author of nearly one hundred scholarly articles. He was a man who set and maintained high standards of excellence and personal conduct for himself and expected the same of those around him. He was a wonderful teacher, and in addition to the art of surgery he enjoyed teaching and serving in many callings in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints throughout his life. He was a great gentleman and a man dedicated to his family and to God. In 1966, he resigned numerous national and international positions in response to a letter from his 10 year-old son asking for more time together. As a family man, Ray Broadbent, was always deeply in love with his wife of 57 years, Edith Stovall, whom he met while in his residency training program. They were married at Duke Chapel, in Durham, North Carolina, and were later sealed in the LDS temple, Salt Lake City, Utah. They have been a great pair, complementing each other in personality and temperament. Dad set a great example and we all loved and respected him and always knew how much he loved us. He had a soft and tender side that those who knew him only superficially may not have seen. He was remarkably patient with and supportive of his children, wanting more than anything to provide the opportunity of open doorways for them to walk through, with his unquestioned support in the background to let them fly as individuals. What he cared about was the qualities of people as human beings, in their personal integrity and choices, and in how they lived their lives and treated each other. Though he held many, he was never one to be impressed by titles. Ray loved the out of doors and was probably never happier than when at Smokerise, his family cabin, building things, cleaning out dead wood, or simply walking in the woods or fields. He loved horses, good dogs, and the natural world. He loved to travel, but not as much as he loved coming home. He and Edith have been remarkably giving and generous to family, the community and many, many others, always. With regards to his children, he made it clear he expected much in return. Never strings attached, just a lot of trust and cheering of us on from the sidelines. Ray was also a wonderful grandfather. Even in the 14 years since he suffered a stroke that devastated his ability to speak and read, an ironic insult for such a scholar, he found joy and pleasure in daily life. He loved small things, children, flowers, color, art, touch, a firm handshake, the softness of a fuzzy leaf, a gentle breeze; music, especially if performed by family; a Utah sunset, and he filled his days and years with them. He continued to be interested in what his family was doing, to have a funny sense of humor, and to be and enjoy good company until the night he passed on. Ray is survived by his wife Edith and his children, Kenneth Ray and wife Dr. Jan Bernhisel Broadbent, Stephanie and husband Dr. Scott Sessions, Catherine and husband Matt Henriod, and Lisa Anne and husband Kevin Ninow; 12 grandchildren; and his sisters Alice Fortie (Heber, UT); and Norma Smith (Ogden, UT). He was preceded in death by his parents Charles and Sarah Jane (Jenny) Broadbent; brothers and sisters Verd, Clyde, Roy, Marden, Josephine, Milton, Keith, and Jenny, and many dear friends. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, August 16, 2007, 12 noon, at the Monument Park Stake Center, 1320 S. Wasatch Dr. Friends may call Wed., evening at Larkin Sunset Lawn, 2350 East 1300 South, from 6-8 p.m. Interment: Larkin Sunset Lawn Cemetery.