Robert Brodeur, parts manager for Subaru of America

Robert A. Brodeur, 83, of Cherry Hill, who retired in 1998 as national parts and service manager at Subaru of America, died of kidney failure Thursday, Aug. 1, at Virtua Voorhees.

Born in Fitchburg, Mass., Mr. Brodeur graduated from Fitchburg High School, attended Cushing Academy in Ashburnham, Mass., earned a bachelor's in business administration at Syracuse University in 1951, where he was a member of Phi Delta Theta fraternity, and later earned an MBA at New York University.

He enlisted in the Navy, served as a submarine personnel and training officer, and retired from the Navy Reserve as a commander.

Mr. Brodeur began his career as a New York regional sales representative for Gulf Oil Co. from 1955 to 1964, daughter Nicole said.

For Chrysler Corp. in Newark, N.J., he began as a marketing specialist in 1964 and was a regional manager when he left in 1967.

After working as an account executive in the advertising division of Metromedia Inc. in New York City, he was regional parts manager for the Lyndhurst, N.J., office of Toyota Motor Sales until 1974.

Then Mr. Brodeur became part of a team that helped establish and develop Subaru of America, his daughter said.

In retirement, she said, he traveled extensively and held wine seminars for adult education programs in Cherry Hill and Haddonfield.

"He was brilliant," his daughter said. "He could do the Sunday New York Times crossword puzzle in about 40 minutes."

Besides Nicole, Mr. Brodeur is survived by son Robert, daughter Susan Schwartz, a brother, and three grandchildren. He was predeceased by his wife, Marion.

A Funeral Mass was set for noon Saturday, Aug. 10, at the Catholic Church of St. Mary, 2001 Springdale Rd., Cherry Hill.

Donations may be made to www.doctorswithoutborders.org.

Condolences may be offered to the family at htt://hinski-tomlinsonfuneralhome.com.