Arnold “Arnie” Brockman
September 7, 1937 – October 21, 2017

Arnold “Arnie” Brockman, 80 years, passed suddenly on Saturday, October 21, 2017 in the Humboldt District Hospital. He was raised on the family farm near Humboldt, attended St. Augustine School to Grade 8 and completed his high school education at St. Peter’s College, Muenster.
His parents Henry and Agnes (nee Gieselman) Brockman were progressive and idealistic role models who instilled a strong work ethic and patterned the value of life long learning. In his youth Arnie and his father built and operated a snow plane, which forged a passion for aviation as a future career, however an accident in his youth caused the loss of vision in one eye. A physical limitation did not restrain his resolve. Arnie’s passion for the skies was fulfilled when he attained his private pilot’s license and enjoyed his air coupe and Cessna 172. He shared his joy of flying with others as an instrumental figure in the establishment of the Humboldt Airport.
Arnie met Patricia Sarich (a local teacher) at the home of Bertha and Dan Pavelick (special aunt and uncle) in Humboldt. Arnie and Pat married on July 16, 1960. They had three children: Jason (Jay), Janelle (deceased), and Camille.
In 1955, when Arnie was 18, he started Brockman Service Ltd., a machine shop and fabrication business. This first business set the foundation for what produced several of Arnie’s innovations both professionally and for the community. In response to a growing potash industry, Arnie’s design and production endeavours focussed on soft rock mining that eventually expanded into a design and consulting practice. Ore-Site Systems was founded in 1989 to specialize in technical advisory and cutting head design that optimized ore extraction. He was known in industry and the community as the ‘go to’ guy when a problem couldn’t be resolved.
Through the years, Arnie was consistently involved in his community and volunteered for his children’s activities. He was a Town Councillor for over a decade, long term member of the Humboldt Junior Chamber of Commerce, a member of the Waldsea Lake Park Board, and President of the Humboldt Broncos, a hockey coach and volunteer at numerous Humboldt Speed Swim meets, and many other local projects.
In Arnie’s later years, he shared a love of gardening fostered by his mother Agnes. Arnie’s evolutionary gardens were monumental. It boasted rows of gladiolas frequently donated to the church, and hundreds of hills of potatoes. He experimented with new varieties and, ever the innovator, devised several gardening efficiencies including automated tree, potato and gladiola planters.
As a cancer survivor of 16 years, he offered counsel to numerous bladder cancer patients. His generosity was fuelled by a strong faith, high moral standards and unassuming authenticity. He had an intrinsic standard of excellence in his work encouraging others to follow that principal and remain steadfast in times of adversity. Although a quiet and humble man, those who knew him best, knew the strength of his character and were impacted by his example. Arnie’s immediate family, friends and colleagues are forever touched by his passion for life. Family was foremost: wife Pat (nee Sarich) Brockman of Humboldt (married 57 years); their two children and three grandchildren: Jay (Rachelle) Brockman and children Elizabeth and Maria of Saskatoon and Camille (Lorne) Jensen and daughter Sappho of Calgary; two sisters and one brother: Lois Brockman of Winnipeg, Irvin (Lorraine) Brockman of Harrisburg, PA, and Jeanne (Keith) Laxdal of Regina; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents Henry and Agnes (nee Gieselman) Brockman and infant daughter, Janelle Brockman.
The Funeral Mass was offered on Thursday, October 26, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. at St. Augustine Roman Catholic Church, Humboldt celebrated by Archbishop James Weisgerber and co-celebrated by Fr. Joseph Salihu. Interment followed in the St. Augustine Parish Cemetery. Memorial donations in Arnold’s memory may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society or Humboldt District Hospital Foundation, St. Elizabeth’s Ladies Auxiliary Centennial Cardiac Endowment or David Ronald Bell Cardiac Endowment Fund. On line condolences can be left at md-funeralhome.ca under Arnold Brockman guest book.

This notice placed courtesy of
Malinoski & Danyluik Funeral Home
Phone: 682-1622