It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Michael Broddle, aged 82, of Reston, Virginia, USA, on July 5, 2025. Michael was born on September 2, 1942, at the Listerdale Infirmary in Wickersley, Yorkshire, England near to his small, home village of Laughton en le Morthen. Michael was the cherished, youngest son of Henry "Harry" Broddle and Lillian Staley.

Michael often reflected on how his early years profoundly shaped the course of his life. Like his parents, Michael adopted a strong work ethic and faced numerous challenges with resilience, including personal struggles with Crohn’s disease and arthritis. Growing up in a poor village in Yorkshire, he was surrounded by an extended family of miners and laborers who generally had limited educational opportunities.

From that environment and with his characteristic will to exceed expectations, Michael excelled academically and was the first member of the extended family to earn a place at a selective grammar school; ultimately he was awarded multiple scholarships to study at the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology. Due to ill health, Michael was forced to cease his Organic Chemistry studies and so his career began in accounting and audit.

Michael married Margaret Waddell (née) in a small ceremony at Saint Mary-at-Latton Church in Harlow on August 9, 1969. Together for 22 years, they welcomed two wonderful children, Anna-Louise and Jon. Michael's family was his pride and joy, and he cherished the moments spent with them.

After Michael and Margaret divorced, Michael found love again and married Margaret Hobler (née Johnson), affectionately known as Peggy, on September 18, 1999. Peggy's adult children — Dave, Diane, Margaret “Meg”, and Jean — welcomed Michael into their lives.

Michael was granted US citizenship in 2005 but never forgot his Yorkshire roots. Michael would explain to other Americans that Yorkshire’s relationship to England is similar to Texas’ relationship to the US, except that Yorkshiremen lack the native humility of the Texans. This he felt helped Americans gain a better perspective on “Yorkshire’s central importance in the shaping of civilization”.

In 1965, at the dawn of corporate computing, Michael began training as a systems analyst programmer. He held increasingly prominent international positions at leading technology companies. While at CACI in the Netherlands, he co-founded Database Consultants Europe (DCE) in 1980, achieving rapid success in the emerging field of database technology. As Chief Operating Officer and Deputy Chairman, he oversaw 250 consultants. In parallel, he served as Chairman of the School Board for the first British school in Amsterdam, contributing to its early development.

After returning to the UK in 1989, Michael sold the UK arm of DCE to James Martin and Associates, where he met his second wife, Peggy Hobler. During his tenure at James Martin, he made a lasting impression on his US colleagues, which led to his recruitment in 1995 to lead a division at American Management Systems (AMS). Following his tenure at AMS, Michael joined Booz Allen Hamilton.

Though he excelled in business, retiring was a challenge. He “retired” and returned to work twice before finally retiring for good in 2011, which allowed him to develop his passion for watercolor painting and spend more quality time with Peggy, his friends and family, especially his five beloved grandchildren, whom he adored. He dedicated himself to taking art classes and found inspiration while traveling abroad, generously gifting many of his finest works to close friends and family.

Michael enjoyed rich cultural experiences from visiting 50 countries and spending long periods living in or visiting Western Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia, and North America. Michael had a deep passion for fine food, drink, and lively dinner table conversations. He frequently encouraged his guests to try curry, his favorite cuisine, and English delicacies such as pork pie, Fry’s Turkish Delight, Liquorice, and Ambrosia Devon Custard. During visits to Michael and Peggy's home, family members frequently requested Michael's deliciously grilled steaks, served alongside Peggy's legendary homemade French fries.

Michael had a remarkable gift for wit and an exceptional memory for restaurants, golf shots, people, and places. His colleagues fondly remember his mentoring style and his encouragement of self-development and continuous learning.

Michael is survived by his wife, Peggy, his children and their spouses and children: Jon (Simona) of England (Emma and Josh), Anna-Louise (Martin Fagan) of Ireland (Mia, Amy, and Faye), his surviving half-brothers: Christopher of Northern Ireland, David and Kevin of England, and Julian of Spain, and his Hobler step-children: David of Thailand, Diane of Virginia, and Jean of California.

A Celebration of Life service and reception will be held on Saturday, August 23, 2 pm at St. Anne’s Episcopal Church, Reston, Virginia, the very place where Michael and Peggy were married, and where Michael was very active in the community, playing a key role in establishing their endowment fund.

In lieu of flowers, Michael asked that donations be made to the maintenance of All Saints' Church, Laughton en le Morthen, Yorkshire, England, where his father, Harry, served as the organist for 48 years. (Click here to donate )

https://givealittle.co/c/5a66714c-f7b4-4a56-9f93-2ba09f6565c3

Rest in peace.