You’ve seen the name pop up in the credits of HGTV’s most vibrant shows, or maybe you stumbled across it while deep-diving into the family tree of a certain tattooed interior designer.
Richard Harold David Bromstad isn't a Hollywood star or a lottery-winning house hunter. He is the man behind the man—specifically, the father of David Reed Bromstad, the high-energy host of My Lottery Dream Home.
Honestly, in a world where everyone is trying to be the main character, Richard Harold David Bromstad is a reminder that the strongest foundations are often built far away from the camera's lens.
The Norwegian Roots in Cokato
If you want to understand the man, you have to look at where he planted his roots. Richard Harold David Bromstad was born on April 15, 1943. He’s of Norwegian descent, a fact that David often leans into when discussing his family’s heritage and the stoic, hardworking values he grew up with in Minnesota.
Life wasn’t always about million-dollar listings and custom wallpaper.
Richard and his wife, Diane Marlys Bromstad, raised four kids in Cokato, Minnesota. It’s a tiny town. It's the kind of place where everyone knows your business and your family name actually means something. Richard wasn't just a father; he was the primary influence on a household that valued creativity even when money was tight.
Think about it.
The youngest of his four children, David, became a global icon for color and flair. That doesn't happen in a vacuum. Richard and Diane fostered an environment where art wasn't just a hobby—it was a way to survive the social isolation of a small town.
A Legacy of Compassion and "Silliness"
We often think of "celebrity parents" as people who pushed their kids into the spotlight. That wasn't Richard's vibe. David Bromstad has been vocal on social media—especially in those heartfelt Father’s Day posts—about what his dad actually taught him.
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It wasn't how to flip a house.
It was how to be kind. Richard Harold David Bromstad taught his son to be compassionate and, perhaps most importantly, how to be "silly." If you’ve ever watched Color Splash, you know that David’s entire brand is built on that silliness. It’s a direct inheritance from Richard.
"Thank you for teaching me to be compassionate, kind, confident, and of course silly!" — David Bromstad, via Instagram, honoring his father.
There’s a lot of depth there. Being a Norwegian-American father in a small Minnesota town in the 70s and 80s often meant being the "strong, silent type." But Richard broke that mold by encouraging his son's artistic escape. When David was getting bullied in school for being different, the home Richard and Diane built was the one safe harbor.
The Reality of Aging in the Public Eye
Lately, things haven't been all sunshine and rainbows.
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In recent years, fans have expressed concern over Richard’s health. While the family remains relatively private about the specifics, David has alluded to his father’s illness in various interviews and social media snippets. It's a heavy weight to carry when you’re the guy supposed to be making everyone else’s dreams come true on TV.
People forget that behind the $70,000-per-episode paycheck and the flamboyant tattoos, there’s a guy worried about his aging parents. Richard Harold David Bromstad is currently in his 80s.
That shift in family dynamic is something many of us face. You go from the child being protected to the adult trying to protect the legacy of the person who raised you.
Breaking Down the Family Tree
To keep things straight, here is how the Bromstad family actually looks:
- The Patriarch: Richard Harold David Bromstad
- The Matriarch: Diane Marlys Bromstad (Swedish and German descent)
- The Siblings: * Dean Richard Bromstad (Often mistaken for David’s twin, but he's the older brother)
- Dynelle Renee Bromstad
- Dyonne Rachael Bromstad
- David Reed Bromstad (The baby of the family)
It’s a tight-knit crew. You’ll often see David posting photos of the whole gang gathered at his Orlando home. Richard is usually there, looking like the proudest guy in the room, even if he doesn't quite understand why his son has a "tattoo addiction" or why people are so obsessed with watching other people buy houses.
Why Richard Harold David Bromstad Still Matters
You might wonder why anyone is searching for Richard’s name specifically.
Part of it is curiosity. We want to know the "source code" for our favorite celebrities. But part of it is the genuine warmth the Bromstad family radiates. In a reality TV landscape filled with manufactured drama and "fake" family feuds, the Bromstads feel real.
Richard Harold David Bromstad represents an era of parenting that stayed out of the way but provided the safety net for a kid to become an animator, then an illustrator, and finally a TV star.
He didn't have a lot of money. He didn't have connections in Hollywood. He just had a house in Cokato and a belief that his kids should be whoever they were meant to be.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Family Historians
If you're following the Bromstad story, or if you're looking into your own family legacy, there are a few things to keep in mind:
- Value the "Silliness": Like Richard taught David, your personality is your greatest asset. Don't suppress it for the sake of "professionalism."
- Respect Privacy: While Richard Harold David Bromstad is the father of a celebrity, he is a private citizen. Engage with his story through the lens of gratitude and respect for his health and age.
- Support Caregivers: If you're a fan of David, understand that his "vibrant" persona often masks the stress of being a long-distance son to aging parents. A little kindness in the comments goes a long way.
Richard Harold David Bromstad isn't just a name in a database. He’s the guy who taught a young boy in Minnesota that it was okay to color outside the lines. And for that, every HGTV fan owes him a bit of a thank you.