1917 – 2014

GREEN VALLEY, Ariz. —Charles “Slim” H. Broomhall, 97, passed away peacefully on Saturday, Oct. 25, in Green Valley, Ariz., with his sister, Ethelyne, by his side.

Charles was born in Mexico on June 22, 1917, to Ethel and Arthur Broomhall. He was one of the 15 children Ethel and Arthur had.

Slim and his brother, Wendall “Chummy,” took part in all the winter sports that Stephens High School offered. There was speed skating, cross-country skiing and ski jumping. Slim lettered all four years in speed skating and ski jumping. Following graduation from Stephens, Slim began to train in cross-country skiing with his brother.

From 1937 to 1950, Slim and Chummy were both among the leading racers in America. In 1940, the brothers were chosen to train in Europe for the Olympics. Unfortunately, the Olympics were canceled due to World War II.

When the Olympic games were canceled, Slim followed his brother, Wendall, and joined the 10th Mountain Division ski troops. After training in the mountains of Colorado, the 10th Mountain Division was sent to Europe. Unfortunately, Charles was injured on Mount Belvedere in Italy, which resulted in the loss of one eye.

When Slim returned to Maine from the war, he enrolled in the University of Maine in Orono. With only one eye, Slim continued to win college ski competitions and open competitions. He was elected captain of the University of Maine-Orono ski team in 1947 and 1949.

Slim also met Ruth Hansen of Auburn one weekend on the campus in Orono. They were married in Auburn on Aug. 6, 1949. They were happily married for 41 years, until Ruth passed away from cancer in 1990.

After graduating from the University of Maine in 1950, he taught science and coached skiing at Kents Hill and Heartland Academy. Then, Carroll Reed enticed Slim to come teach and coach skiing in the Mount Washington valley. While at Kennett, he saw three of his former racers participate in the 1972 Olympics. Slim was an original member of the New Hampshire Interscholastic Athletic Association Ski Committee, until 1972. He also served on the United States Ski Association’s Junior Ski Committee, as Coaches Committee chairman and as an official at the 1960 Olympics.

He is survived by his son, Charles “Chuck” H. Broomhall II and his wife, Mary Altenbern Broomhall, of Conway, N.H.; three grandchildren and four great-grandchildren, Jennifer Broomhall Santos, her husband, Omar, and their children, Dominique and Cristian; Peter Thomas Broomhall, his wife, Erin (Callaghan) Broomhall, and their daughter, Siri Ruth Broomhall; and Jackie Broomhall and Kurt Rowe and their daughter, Isabella Ruth Rowe. He is also survived by his siblings, Wendall, Erlon, Raymond, Philip, Irene, Ethelyne and Ruth; and his sister-in-law, Elinor Hansen Brockway.

Charles was predeceased by his wife, Ruth Hansen Broomhall; and siblings, Victor Broomhall, Si Broomhall, Robert Broomhall and Margaret Broomhall Robbins.