Syd Albert Brosten

Syd Brosten was born on November 18, 1928, to Jenny and Morris Brosten in Chicago, Illinois.

Syd was welcomed by his older brothers, Hy and Al, who were 12 and 14 at the time. He had a wonderful upbringing in the Chicago area and was very curious about cars and sports. He got his first job at age 10 selling newspapers and acquired his first car, a model A Ford, at age 14. When Syd reached high school he found a love for the game of basketball, which continued throughout his life. For many years, Syd would tell everyone that he was over 6 feet tall in his basketball days, which his daughter always believed.

Following high school in 1947, Syd attended the University of Illinois in Galesburg. He then joined his parents in Los Angeles and attended LA City College where he received his associates degree in Clinical Psychology and played basketball. In 1950, Syd was drafted for the Korean War. After graduation from officer candidate school, Syd was assigned the position of Academic Training Officer for Camp San Luis Obispo Leadership School. Syd was also the captain of the 40th division basketball team consisting of 20,000 troops, while in service for the US Army. He served in the army until May of 1953.

When Syd left the Army, he decided to be a contractor and joined forces with Lippert Construction. After a 6-year partnership and acquisition of a general contractors’ license, he went out on his own with Syd A. Brosten Construction Company. In 1970 he began his building career in California, as a consultant for some of the largest companies in the United States and Canada.

In 1970, Syd also met the love of his life, Joanne, in a small California town called Paradise in the Sierra Nevada foothills. During his time spent in Paradise, Syd completed the development of Paradise Pines in 1973 for Larwin developments. He was also the president of the Chamber of Commerce, in Woodland Hills. Syd then moved back to Chicago to successfully correct seven troubled subdivisions. His next major hurdle was halting the lawsuits for a large, planned community called the Hideout in Lake Ariel, Pennsylvania, which earned him a partnership with Kaiser Edna. After his successes, he was offered a new opportunity in beautiful Lake Tahoe. Syd and Joanne relocated to there and were married in 1975, spending the next three decades alongside an alpine lake in the Sierra Nevada’s. In 1977 the Brostens were blessed with the birth of their daughter, Tamela.

The family lived in Incline Village where Syd served on the Incline Village General Improvement District Board of Directors, which focused on policy and strategy for the community. He was a chairman helping to make many crucial decisions that shaped the town. Syd was also a 25-year member of both the Lyons and Rotary clubs and the winner of the Outstanding Chamber Member. Many people considered Syd the proverbial mayor of Incline Village and to this day say he was the best “mayor” that the town ever had. In addition to his volunteer work on the IVGID Board, Syd worked hard in the booming Lake Tahoe real estate market for about 30 years selling and developing properties. In addition to this, Syd served as president of the Jewish  Temple in North Lake Tahoe. Throughout three decades, Syd and Joanne made amazing connections and lifelong friends in Tahoe.

In 2006, the Brostens decided to say goodbye to their incredible life in the Tahoe area and headed to Bozeman, Montana to join their daughter Tamela. While in Bozeman, Syd served on the board as chairman of SCORE, a non-profit that serves business startups. Many people relied on Syd for his business advice as well as his exquisite pool skills where he rarely lost a game. Most importantly, during their time in Bozeman, Syd was able to welcome his son-in-law, Joe, to the family and his beautiful granddaughter, Kyla. Syd and Kyla had a magical relationship practicing math and building puzzles together weekly. When Kyla was young, Syd built a playhouse for her in his back yard that her friends have played in for years and will continue to play in well into the future.

Over the years Syd won many awards for his hard work, vibrant personality and contributions to his communities. In addition to Syd’s professional endeavors, he had a true love of traveling and exploring the world. Syd visited 5 continents and over 40 countries, making friends wherever he went.

When thinking of Syd, words that come to mind are intelligent, funny, caring, kind, open- minded, positive, helpful, highly skilled and an all-around good human. Syd constantly entertained us and made us laugh. He was welcoming of any friend in his home and loved to share stories. Anyone who knew Syd was lucky enough to know his true kindness and love that he had for all of those around him. His smile was contagious, and he has certainly made the world a better place.

Syd is survived by numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, daughter Tamela Irons (Joe Irons), granddaughter Kyla Irons and his wife and lifelong best friend Joanne Brosten.

A Celebration of Syd’s Life will be held at Dahl Funeral & Cremation Service on Friday, September 9^th at 1:00PM; livestreamed https://youtu.be/W_6FGQQyMAg.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Heifer Foundation or charity of your choice.