Sam Brott offers a helping hand throughout the state

By KateLynn Slaamot
NLJ Correspondent
 
Self-taught mechanic and Person of the Year nominee Sam Brott has lived in Newcastle for 29 years — helping anyone who has a need. 
Brott’s interest in mechanic work began when he was just 8 or 9 years old, and he has put that talent to good use. 
Brott, who is well-known across Wyoming, has been using his knack with mechanics to help others for many years. Whenever someone is in a bind, with a vehicle out of commission or stopped on the side of the road, Brott helps get that person back on the road. Brott even picks up the vehicles or offers rides to those whose vehicles aren’t working. 
“I try to give them a little boost if I can,” Brott said. 
When Brott fixes vehicles for people, he generally just has them pay for parts and does the labor for free. Brott even gets called by people needing a helping hand throughout the state, and he will drive anywhere to fix a vehicle if the person helps pay for his gas usage. 
Leonard Lang is the one who nominated Brott, and he said that Brott is the best “shady tree mechanic in the state of Wyoming.” 
Lang said that Brott is always ready, willing and able to lend a helping hand to anyone, whether it be giving a jump to someone broke down on the side of the road, fixing a vehicle or making someone laugh. Lang said that he always cheers people up when they’re having a rough day, and he has a good sense of humor. Brott has gotten many people out of really difficult situations, Lang said, and has taken a load off of them. 
“He’s just so generous with his time and abilities,” Lang said. “He’s such a blessing to the community.”
Bryce Smith has known Brott for about six years and has helped Brott with his projects. 
Although Brott does a lot of mechanic work, that’s not all he does. Smith said that Brott is also willing to help with firewood, paying bills and more. Last winter, Brott and Smith went out to get a bunch of wood for people who needed it. 
“We brought truckloads of it (firewood),” Smith said. 
Smith considers Brott a family member, and he said that his friend is the most caring person he knows. Smith said he will show up for anyone – it doesn’t matter who they are. 
“He’d literally give you the shirt off his back,” Smith said. 
Walter Smith said that throughout the years that his son Bryce has known and helped Brott, he believes that Brott has had a positive impact on him and taught him a lot.  
“My son has learned a lot from him,” Walter said. 
“Not too many people do what he does,” Walter said. 
As for Brott’s reputation as someone with a giving spirit, Walter said that Brott even helps people to the extent of having to sacrifice. Walter said that kind of selflessness is not a common trait today, and it really stands out. 
“He’s a great guy,” said Brandon Taylor, who has known Brott for about five years. Taylor also occasionally helps Brott with his projects. When Taylor was looking for a job a few years ago, Brott offered him the opportunity to help work on vehicles. Taylor said that that’s just another way that Brott helps others. 
Taylor said that Brott has also had a personal impact on him, and he’s taught him that no matter how bad it gets, everything will be alright in the end.
“He’s taught me to never give up,” Taylor said.
 Brott is also a positive role model and great with kids, including Taylor’s kids, he said. 
“He’s like the grandfather you wish you had,” Taylor said. 
RobunLee Hilliard, Taylor’s fiancé, said that Brott is a positive role model to her son too, and she likes to send him with Brott to cut firewood because he is good at teaching a good work ethic. 
Taylor has also experienced firsthand Brott’s multifaceted generosity. One day, when Taylor was on his way home from Torrington on icy roads, his vehicle started to act up, and Brott met him halfway. Brott also took Hilliard to Torrington to see her daughter when she didn’t have a vehicle.
Brott helped fix Hilliard’s car a while ago and is also helping Hilliard’s mother with her vehicle. Hilliard said that his generosity has helped a lot. 
Although Brott said that he is surprised at being nominated for Person of the Year, Smith is delighted that his friend is nominated, and he said that Brott deserves the honor. 
Brott doesn’t always get much gratitude for what he does. Smith said that everyone Brott has helped should stop by, shake his hand and say thank you for what he’s done for them. It would put a huge smile on Brott’s face, Smith said. 
Taylor agreed that Brott doesn’t always get much credit, and he too thinks that it is a great honor for Brott to be nominated. 
“He’s just the greatest guy in the world,” Taylor said.