Local historian provided knowledge, joy to those around him
Robert P. Broadwater brought joy and knowledge to the people around him.
“He wrote dozens of books related to American history, including the Revolutionary War, but his primary passion was the American Civil War,” local historian and Penn State Altoona professor Jared Frederick said.
Broadwater, 58, of Bellwood died Wednesday at UPMC Altoona.
“At a local level especially, he carried sway about conveying the story of the Civil War, putting it in the local context. He did a lot of research about local soldiers and civilians,” Frederick said.
Of note in particular was his research on the Loyal War Governors’ Conference in 1862, Frederick said.
In addition, Broadwater wrote week-to-week articles for the Mirror during the 150th anniversary of the Civil War, telling readers what was happening 150 years ago at that moment, Frederick said.
He was involved with the Descendants of Civil War Veterans based in Bellwood and gave historical talks at the Altoona Area Public Library as well as Civil War round tables in the mid-Atlantic region.
“He was a much respected historian and will be greatly missed,” Frederick said.
“I think someone like him serves as a prime model for how local citizens, even if they are not teachers or educators in a formal sense, can still convey parts of our local and national heritage. I think he was a fine example in that regard,” Frederick said.
“I met him as a teenager when I was researching the Civil War. He was very welcoming to me as a youngster. He invited me to his home, and we went over parts of his book collection. It was very meaningful for me as an up-and-coming historian,” he said.
Broadwater’s career was as general manager of Perkins Restaurant in Altoona. He continued working through January as he battled illness.
His employees said he treated them as family.
On Friday, the staff wore black and gold bracelets in memory of Broadwater, an avid Pittsburgh sports fan.
“The restaurant business can be stressful. He always tried to keep it light,” shift manager Shaun D’Angelo said.
“He’d do things like make airplane noises in the kitchen; take a dare to wear a Snuggie while checking on customers, and he’d always come in and say, ‘Can I get a whoop-whoop?’ He’d keep saying it until everyone said ‘Whoop-whoop.”
Even if someone stole from him, it never bothered him, said server Karen Gall.
“It never bothered him because he would figure out why they stole, and if that person needed money for food, he would give it to them,” she said.
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