Martin Memorial

Martin Brusse In Memory of Martin “Goose” Brusse

Beloved friend, mentor, and respected business entrepreneur

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.

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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 required that he put his college education on hold to enlist in the United States Army.

In March of 1943 Martin was inducted into the 10th Light Division (Alpine) which would later be re-designated as the elite 10th Mountain Division. This was a new and unique group (ski troops) that would undergo rigorous training at Camp Hale located in the high mountains of Colorado. These men would eventually participate in the fierce North Apennine Mountain battles of Italy.

The division completed their harsh winter training at Camp Hale and would later be sent to Camp Swift in Texas for additional 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 aggressively battled German Army forces. During the period of April 14-15, 1945 Martin (promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeant) was in command of a twelve man, 50 meter mortar squad near the town of Castel d’ Aiano, Italy. It was after this particular battle that Martin’s squad would later recall how amazed they were to survive after having witnessed the deaths of so many of their comrades in arms. Throughout 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.

Martin was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for meritorious service in combat. He was also awarded the World War II Victory Medal, EAME Campaign Medal, Expert Infantry Badge, and the Good Conduct Service Medal.

Not long after the fighting in Italy, Martin along with the 10th Mountain Company K was scheduled for battle in the Pacific. While crossing the Atlantic, however, it was announced the war was over and Martin was honorably discharged in 1945 at Fort Logan, Colorado, where his service had begun.

After the war, Martin needed time to think about his future. He was not yet ready for a return to Dartmouth, and pondered joining the family business.

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.

Martin’s father, Dr. Archie Brusse, was a dentist and highly respected leader within the dental/orthodontic industry. From a small back room office in 1933, Dr. Archie Brusse founded Rocky Mountain Orthodontics in Denver, Colorado. Many of his ideas and innovations become standard practice in the industry. With tremendous ingenuity, research, and experimentation Dr. Brusse and RMO developed the industry’s first set of prefabricated orthodontic appliances. This can-do atmosphere combined with the family values inspired by his great-grandfather Henry Clay Caldwell are what motivated Martin to give all that he could, both in war and later in business.

Dr. Brusse had hoped Martin would eventually take up the reins of leadership at RMO. After the war and Martin’s safe return, Archie expected his son to quickly continue his education and learn the family business. Dr. Brusse was confident Martin could lead RMO to a high level of success, and his optimism was further supported and inspired by Martin’s Uncle Walter “Walt” Brusse (who also worked for RMO). However, Martin was not convinced this was the career path he desired.

While unwinding from the rigors of war, Martin chanced upon his future life partner. It was during this time that he met his future wife, Barbara Anne (B.A. Cheley). They were married on September 17, 1947. With a new spouse to support, Martin elected to continue the education he had postponed for the war. While still unsure what career path scholastics would take him, Martin completed his studies at Dartmouth and graduated in1949.

With continued mentoring and encouragement from Uncle Walt, Martin joined him along with Dr. Brusse and RMO as the company entered the prosperity of the post-war boom. The decades that followed were host to RMO innovation and orthodontic breakthroughs resulting in a significant global presence within a very competitive industry. The legacy Dr. Archie Brusse handed down to Martin celebrated seventy-six years in business as a private company with strong performance at the time of Martin’s passing.

Under Martin’s leadership, RMO grew to over 60 international dealers around the world and has been awarded twice with 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 earned many good friends and business associates around the world, but he did not have offspring to mentor as his father before him. Over the years he kept his eyes open for that special person (or persons) who he would someday entrust with continuing the family legacy. Martin found this in two very special and capable people: Tony Zakhem, CEO & Chairman and Jody Hardy, President. Tony and Jody became like family to both Martin and B.A., and it is they who Martin confidently hand picked to continue guiding RMO into the future.

Martin was very proud of RMO and its employees, and they in turn were proud to be associated with this 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, and Martin will be greatly missed.

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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.

Services will be held on Friday November 13, 2009 at 3:30 p.m. at:

Horan & McConaty Family Chapel, 5303 East County Line Road, Centennial, CO 80122. In lieu of flowers, donations are suggested to the Colorado Orthodontic Foundation, 10463 Park Meadows Dr. Suite 206, Lone Tree, CO 80124 or visit www.thecof.org.