Ronald Eugene Brott

Ronald Eugene Brott, 77, of Ankeny (formerly of Des Moines) passed away on Wednesday, July 15th at Taylor House Hospice in Des Moines, Iowa. Funeral service and luncheon following will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, July 22nd at Trinity Lutheran Church in Des Moines, Iowa with visitation one hour prior from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. A second funeral service will be held 10:30 a.m., Friday, July 24th at Harman-Wright Mortuary Chapel in Beatrice, NE with visitation one hour prior from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Burial will be in the Evergreen Home Cemetery in Beatrice.

Ron was born on May 28th, 1949 in Beatrice, Nebraska to Norman and Mildred Brott (Krause). Ron had fond memories of growing up at the farmhouse in Jansen and 840 West P Street in Lincoln with his brothers, sisters, and good friend Jake Kreick. He graduated from Lincoln High School in Lincoln, Nebraska in 1967. Later, he graduated from Iowa State University with an Associate in Applied Science, Construction Technology in 1970.

Ron married April Brott (Hayes) on August 28th, 1971, in Van Meter, Iowa. He began his employment at Brown Engineering in 1970 as a draftsman. He had a career as a Senior Engineering Technician that spanned over 50 years. Ron enjoyed mentoring many young engineers and making many lifelong friends along the way. He eventually retired from Civil Design Advantage in 2024.

He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Des Moines, Iowa since 1970 and served for many years as a trustee. Ron was strong and unwavering in his Christian faith and devotion to his children's religious upbringing.

He had a lifelong passion for family genealogy and over many years meticulously traced the Brott family lineage to the 1600's Nieder-Eschbach, Germany. He was an active member of the American Historical Society of Germans from Russia (AHSGR) and consistently attended their annual meetings. Ron was thrilled to visit Warenburg, Russia with his brother Dennis in 1995, and was able to see the house where his ancestors lived, their place of business, and the church where they worshiped. He later traveled to Germany (twice) and was reunited on his most recent trip in 2024 with distant Brott cousins.

He enjoyed playing cribbage, shooting pool, and riding his Harley Davidson motorcycle. He was a lifelong Nebraska football fan (GO BIG RED!). Ron was also a Des Moines Buccaneers hockey fan and season ticket holder for over 20 years (Section 7, Row F). He was a voracious reader and student of history. He loved woodworking and spending time in his garage-turned-woodshop, making projects such as a bunk bed for his boys, a magazine holder for his mom, and a doghouse for the family pooch, Red.

He is survived by his wife, April, and their three children: Joshua, Jacob and Joseph (Michele) and two precious grandchildren: Lillian and Lucas. Ron is survived by his four younger siblings: brothers Warren (Jayme) and Dennis (Barb) and sisters Janice Daniels (Rusty) and Linda Johnston (John). He is also survived by numerous nephews, nieces and cousins.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Trinity Lutheran Church 3223 University Avenue Des Moines, Iowa 50311.