DADvocate

Noted Maysville citizen, Charles Brodt, retires at 93

First reading the headline in the newspaper, I thought Charlie had died. Nope. He just retired.

When he was 11 years old, Charles Brodt's neighbor, Dr. John Simpson, asked if Brodt would come to work for him, sweeping the floors of his optometry office after school and on weekends and holidays.

That was in 1928. Now, 82 years later, Brodt is retiring from the optical business at the age of 93.

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However, Brodt decided not to stay in the optical business and went on to be chief of the auxiliary police for 16 years. Brodt said he made the change simply because he enjoyed law enforcement. He was then named deputy sheriff under four different Mason county sheriffs. In 1974, Brodt said he decided to run for sheriff and ran unopposed, the first time this had ever happened in Mason County.

Brodt said if sheriffs had been allowed to serve more than one term, he wouldn't have left the job.

After retiring from sheriff, Brodt ran for city commission where he said he received so many votes he was named vice mayor.

While on the city commission, Brodt helped establish Maysville Fire Department No. 2 on Kenton Station Road. He said he wanted the firehouse built because, in the event of foul weather it was difficult for the trucks to get up the hill, so having a station at the top of the hill cut down on response time.

Brodt said the city had been promising that area a fire department for years and had never followed through on the promise.

During this time, Brodt said he opened an optometry practice of his own.

"People kept wanting me to fix their glasses for them while I was sheriff," Brodt said.

At 65, Brodt said he sold his business to Irving Peck while agreeing to continue working one or two days a week, which he has done for 26 years.

Brodt said he is finally, fully retired, though he plans to spend time volunteering at the Kentucky Gateway Museum Center, serving as a chaplain for the fraternal order of the police and as a drummer for the Liberty Band, which he has been a part of for 30 years.

"I walk around like this all the time," Brodt said. "I try to keep a smile on my face."

I got to know Charlie a little bit when I was in the Lion's Club. Except for when his wife died, I never saw him without a smile on his face. I doubt I've ever met a nicer or more sincere person. Through out his life he helped others and his community. Finally, at 93 he's retiring. We need more like Charlie. God bless you, Charlie Brodt.