Martin Brusse

~ In Memory of Martin (Goose) Brusse ~ Beloved friend, mentor, respected business entrepreneur and employer extraordinaire Passed to his rest on Thursday November 5, 2009 Martin was born in Denver, Colorado to Dr. Archie and Dana (Martin) Brusse on April 22, 1924. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife Barbara Anne (B.A. Cheley). They were married for 61 years at the time of her passing on March 25, 2009. Martin is survived by his nephew Byron Johnson; niece Margaret Johnson; beloved friends Tony Zakhem, Jody Hardy and his extended RMO family. ------------------------------------------------------------------- Martin graduated from East High School in Denver, Colorado in 1942 where he had excelled as a football player. After high school, he attended Dartmouth University, but World War II was in full swing. The country was in need of a few good men, so he decided to put his college education on hold to enlist in the United States Army. In March of 1943, he was inducted into the 10th Light Division (Alpine), which would later be re-designated as the elite 10th Mountain Division. This was a unique, first of a kind group (ski troops) who would undergo rigorous training at Camp Hale, located in the high mountains of Colorado. They would eventually participate in fierce battles in the North Apennine Mountains of Italy. The division completed their harsh winter training at Camp Hale and would later be sent to Camp Swift in Texas for more training. On January 4, 1945, the 85th Infantry Regiment of the 10th Mountain Division boarded the USS West Point at Hampton Roads, Virginia, and departed for Italy. They arrived at Naples Harbor on January 13, 1945 The war was raging, and for more than three months, Martin along with the men of the 10th fiercely battled German Army forces. During the period of April 14-15 1945, Martin was in command of a twelve-man, 50 meter mortar squad near the town of Castel d' Aiano, Italy. By this time, he had already been promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeant. It was during this particular time that Martin and some of his men would later recall how amazed they were to have come out alive. They had witnessed the deaths of so many of their comrades in arms. Through the years, it has been believed by many that the battles fought, and the victories won by the 10th were instrumental in helping to bring the war in Italy to an end sooner than had been expected. For meritorious service in combat, Martin was awarded the Bronze Star Medal. He was also awarded the World War II Victory Medal, Good Conduct Service Medal, EAME and Expert Infantry Badge. Not long after the fighting in Italy, Martin along with the 10th Mountain, Company K was scheduled to be shipped to do battle in the Pacific. This was not to be. While crossing the Atlantic, it was announced that the war was over. Martin would be honorably discharged in 1945 at Fort Logan, Colorado, where his service had begun. After having stared death in the face, Martin was battle weary and unsure of what road life would next take him on. He needed to take time out to think about what he would do with the rest of his life. He was not yet quite ready to return to Dartmouth. Martin's parents, Dr. and Mrs. Archie Brusse were prominent in Denver business and social circles. Martin's mother was the great-granddaughter of Henry Clay Caldwell, a nationally renowned and respected judge, who had been appointed to the bench by President Abraham Lincoln during the mid 1800's. His father Archie had been a stand-out student and football player during the early 1900's at the University of Denver. Archie had made a name for himself in 1905 while as Captain of the D.U Pioneer team he helped lead his team to play for a national title. This game was against a team led by a football player by the name of Jim Thorpe who would later go on to football greatness. Unfortunately, Archie and his team lost that game. Archie Brusse did not go on to a career in football, but instead became a dentist and a highly respected leader within the dental/orthodontic industry From a small back room office, Dr. Archie Brusse founded Rocky Mountain Orthodontics in Denver, Colorado. Many of his ideas and innovations became standard practice in the industry. With much ingenuity and foresight, along with clinical research and experimentation, Dr. Brusse and RMO developed the industry's first set of prefabricated orthodontic appliances. This was the atmosphere and family values, along with great-grandpa Henry Clay Caldwell, that inspired Martin to give all that he could, both in war and later in business. Dr. Brusse had planned all along that one day Martin would take up the reins of leadership of RMO. After the war was over and Martin had returned home safely, Dr. Brusse expected him to quickly continue his education and then immerse himself learning the family business. He knew Martin could take RMO to an even higher level of success, but Martin was not yet certain this was the career he wanted to pursue. He was not ready to return to college just yet. He had witnessed so much hatred and death and felt he needed time to find out what he really wanted to do with the rest of his life. After a short period of unwinding from the rigors of war, Martin finally decided it was time for him to get a little more serious. Little did he dream that this period of ""getting serious"" would also mean finding his life partner. It was during this time that he met his future wife, Barbara Anne (B.A. Cheley) the most beautiful girl he had ever laid eyes on. They were married on September 17, 1947. Now with a wife to support, Martin decided to stop wasting time and join many of his surviving service buddies in the pursuit of that education he had postponed for the war. In his mind, he was still unsure of what career path this education would take him on; but with high hopes, off to Dartmouth he went, graduating in 1949. After graduation from Dartmouth, Martin soon joined his father in guiding and growing RMO into an even larger global presence, pioneering and innovating within a very competitive industry. The legacy Dr. Archie Brusse handed down to him celebrated seventy-six years in business, still a private company, and still going strong at the time of Martin's passing. Under his leadership, RMO has over 60 dealers in Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, Japan, Mexico, the Middle East and South America and has twice been awarded the President's distinguished ""E'""Star Award for Exports"" by the U.S. Secretary of Commerce for continued outstanding contributions to the Export Expansion Program of the United States of America. Martin aptly filled his great-grandfather and fathers' shoes. Many people who were blessed with knowing him through the years would argue he wore some pretty big shoes of his own. He had gained many good friends and business associates around the world, but he did not have a son or daughter to mentor as his father had mentored him. Through the years, he kept his eyes open for that special person or persons who he would someday entrust with continuing his family legacy. He found this in two very special and capable people, Tony Zakhem and Jody Hardy. They became like family to both Martin and B.A., and it is they who Martin hand picked to continue guiding RMO into the future. Now, they too have big shoes to fill. Martin passed away, confident they are up to the challenge. He was very proud of RMO and its employees. They in turn were proud to be associated with this humble, trustworthy, kind and gentle man. Of Martin it can be said; he never met a stranger; he was admired by many, loved by more and respected by all. He leaves a void in many lives. Martin, you will be greatly missed. You were truly one of God's good men! ------------------------------------------------------------------ In 2000, Martin was awarded an Honorary Alumni Degree at the Denver School of Dental Medicine, University of Colorado Denver. He was a member of the National Association of the 10th Mountain Division, Rotary Club, the WPO (World Presidents Organization) and was a faithful contributor to many community and civic causes. During the last few years, he scaled back his participation in these organizations to a degree but continued to be a supporter. ------------------------------------------------------------------ A Celebration of Martin's life will be held Friday, November 13, 2009 at 3:30 P.M., at Horan & McConaty Family Chapel, 5303 East County Line Road (just to the west of Holly Street) in Centennial, Colorado 80122, with a reception following. Contributions in Martin's honor may be made to the Colorado Orthodontic Foundation, 10463 Park Meadows Drive, Suite 206, Lone Tree, Colorado 80124 or by visiting www.thecof.org. Please share your memories of Martin and condolences with his family by selecting the ""sign guestbook"" button below.