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Brooke Whitted Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for Brooke Whitted
Karen Tipp
July 27, 2019
Brooke was a greater teacher, special ed advocate, and trainer. I was trained by him and called upon him many times for help and advice. He was also the lawyer for many of my cases. We won them all.He as a great supporter and teacher.
Michelle Zmick
July 1, 2016
I am so sorry for your loss. I just learned of Brooke's passing today. Brooke was instrumental in helping our son, Adam, get the necessary school funding he needed for special education while he was in high school. I do believe he saved our son's life. Adam has since earned a B.S. in engineering from the University of Illinois and an MBA from Harvard University, and has started his own non-profit organization to help underprivileged school children in Chicago. We owe Adam's success to Brooke. He will forever be in our thoughts and prayers.
S Cox
February 23, 2016
So sorry to hear of Brooke's passing. He was a champion of Special Education Law and and inspiration and asset to all in the education community.
November 10, 2015
Thank you for all that you did for our most vulnerable citizens -- children with disabilities. Your passion will be missed.
Z. Scott
May 17, 2015
Thank you for making a huge difference to our society
he saved my daughters life will be missed greatly
Stephanie Gamauf
December 10, 2014
I am so sorry for your loss. Please know that I am thinking and praying for your family. Layne, your father was a remarkable man and I see a lot of him in you. I am saddened by the news. May his memory and amazing life give you strength. Much love,
Stephanie Gamauf
October 16, 2014
I am so sorry for your loss. Brooke was a kind man with tremendous compassion for special needs children. He helped my daughter Ashley by leading the team who advocated for private placement. Truly an awesome man.
Debra Davis
September 26, 2014
I was really sad to hear about your loss. Brooke had helped the Gardner family in the early 1990's insure that my brother, Lee Gardner, transitioned to a good program in Ohio that helped him graduate from high school. We could not have done it without Brooke's help.
Thank you.
Jenny
Karen Enright
September 3, 2014
I am so saddened to learn of your loss. My prayers are with you and your family.
Nancy Young
September 1, 2014
I was so saddened to learn of Brooke's passing. I had the great fortune to meet Brooke because of our mutual interest in helping children with hearing loss receive necessary and appropriate services in school. Twice he donated his time to come and speak to our cochlear implant team members at Lurie Children's (formerly Children's Memorial) about current disability law in Illinois. He was such a kind, caring and gentle person. He helped so many children and families. The world is a better place for his having been here. His family is in my thoughts and prayers.
Dawn (Whitcomb) Cortez
August 31, 2014
Brook was a friend of my parents and went to high school with my dad. I remember him always being a great guy and always super nice to my sister Blythe and me.
I hadn't seen him years, but spoke to him a few years ago. We were going to meet for lunch but schedule got in the way.
My sympathies to his wife and children.
Christine Voss
August 21, 2014
My thoughts and prayers are with you Linda, Layne, and Ross with the loss of your husband and father. Know that now you have a guardian angel in Brooke.
Jamie Sickles
August 17, 2014
Although I have only known Brooke for a short time, I am grateful, to have know someone so very special. His energy and commitment towards such important causes, is truly inspirational! The world is certainly a better place because of Brooke Whitted. My thoughts and prayers are with him, his family, and the many lives he has touched.
Sara Brody
August 17, 2014
It was about 1972. Three bright young guys sat in a glassed in office in a nondescript office in Skokie and poured over law books just as PL 94-142 had been passed. Brooke, Matt, and Joe, a dream team like no other; I sat in awe, sometimes for hours, not even knowing then what I was witnessing. Watching as the Wizard guided and coached them through all of it. Who knew what these three musketeers would create, turning the woven fabric of special education law on its head, going where none had ventured before? You became a mentor and a guidepost, circles within circles, our paths intersected plenty in the past 40+ years. I am the advocate and the believer I am today because of what all of you did way back then. Rest dear one. You have earned a peaceful sleep. Others sleep for all you did.
Catherine Katauskas
August 16, 2014
Your entire family will be in my thoughts and prayers. Brooke's spirit and energy will be alive in your hearts and in your legacy for as long you live. The loss of a parent or spouse is never easy to overcome and there are good days and bad days, but your love does not end with his loss.
Catherine Katauskas
August 16, 2014
I will be eternally grateful to Brooke Whitted for his work with special needs children/adolescents and being President of the Orthogenic School in Hyde Park. Without his efforts, our son would not now be improving, and would have continued down a very dark tunnel. Our son has been treated by the very best and brightest doctors and clinicians in the Chicago area, but it is with the additional support of the Orthogenic School which is providing a life-changing experience for him.
I am truly sad for your loss. We need more great people like Brooke Whitted.
Claudia Joyner MD
Pat Berg Yapp
August 16, 2014
Oh Linda...I was so sorry to hear about Brooke. It has been a very long time since he and Harold and I were probation officers together. Those were interesting and challenging days! And how wonderful it was when Brooke was our attorney at TLP...we did some fairly gutsy things but all in the name of keeping kids safe from harm. I have talked to him a couple of times over the years and know he was doing what he loved doing and happy beyond words with your life together. Know that you are in my thoughts. Pat
Charles & Dale anderson
August 15, 2014
I knew Brooke at the beginning of our young careers and shared many professional and personal experiences. our careers and life took us in different directions and sadly we had not seen each other in some time. I always assumed Brooke was rather timeless and knowing he was 'there' was comforting, regrettably that proved not to be true. Dale and I extend our condolences to the family. we will all miss his presence.
Susan Jacobs
August 14, 2014
Brooke's passing is a sad loss to our entire community. Brooke's generous contributions to our neighborhood's efforts set a positive tone and open-mindedness that is greatly appreciated. I will miss his kindness and wisdom.
Kori Skidmore
August 12, 2014
Words can't convey the essence of Brooke, because who he was and what he gave to others is too rare. The world just doesn't feel the same without him in it, championing the cause of children, poking the powers-that-be to do better, expressing his indefatigable zest for life, reminding us to not take ourselves too seriously, and making so many of us believe that we can do more and be more than we thought.
Linda, Ross and Layne, thank you for being such an important aspect of him, for supporting him in being who he was and for sharing him with the rest of us. He is already sorely missed.
Cheri Sinnott
August 12, 2014
I am shocked and saddened by the loss of a wonderful advocate, resource, and loving husband/father. My deepest condolences to the family. What a loss to the community.
Frannie
August 12, 2014
Our prayers are with you.
Andrew Braudy
August 12, 2014
My deepest condolences to you. I'm very sad to hear about this. I knew Brooke. Linda, Ross and Layne from when they would come to the swimming pool at CAA. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
Margaret Osudar
August 11, 2014
RIP Brooke Whitted you were an amazing special Ed attorney, you helped my son and John and I tremendously. The retainer was nothing compared to watching Orland Park tremble as you walked in with us to negotiate. Heaven gained an honest lawyer... My condolences to family and all that loved him.
August 11, 2014
Dear Family, My sincerest sympathy to all of you on this shocking and profound loss. Brooke was a generous colleague with whom I had the good fortune to work alongside from time to time over the last 30 years or so. Whether we were on the same side of the table or not, his fairness, basic decency, and mindfulness of what was right for the child always prevailed. May the memories you made together as a family comfort you in this difficult time.
Linda Schaefer, Morton Grove, IL
Michael Nelson
August 11, 2014
I very sorry to hear about Brookes passing. He was a wonderful guy to all that knew him at the Chicago Athletic Association. My deepest sympathy to your family
Mike Nelson
Steve & Carolyn Keifer
August 11, 2014
We are so grateful to have been represented by Brooke. His compassion and dedication to his clients and their families was inspiring.
Brooke mended broken spirits so they could flourish once again.
August 10, 2014
Please accept my sincerest condolences for your loss. I remember Brooke and the unselfish advocating he did on behalf of youth in need. He families in crisis and helped youth being placed at the Park Ridge Youth Campus back in the late 80's and early 90's. I met my husband while working at PRYC and he, too, was a strong advocate for kids and died unexpectedly in 2012. The suddenness of losing someone we love and admire doesn't take away from the legacy left. I know many will celebrate the way Brooke made the world a better place for so many.
August 10, 2014
Brooke and I worked on many Spec.Ed. Cases early in his career. You could not have wanted a more dedicated advocate for children's rights than
Brooke. At that time there were numerous advocates out there but he and I worked together because we had the same philosophy to serve kids with special needs. Give them what they need, quit fighting the process, pay now or pay later. School Districts learned we were right and both of us in our own arenas florished in our cases. As a Special Education Director
I am proud to have worked with BROOKE. We will always keep him in our
thoughts and daily prayers.
ellen strauss
August 9, 2014
Brooke was one of the good guys. He will always be remember for all the good he did.
Haley Stewart
August 8, 2014
Thank you for the great times we shared uncle Brooke! You always made sure to be part of my best accomplishments and moments. Love you and your family. - Haley
Jim Wolter
August 8, 2014
Dear Linda, Ross and Layne,
The gift of a well lives life is not measured by time alone but by what one does with that gift. May the gift of Brooke's life continue to bring you comfort and solace. My prayers are with you and with him.
August 8, 2014
Even though Brooke was in a serious business with special clients in need of his help he never lost his sense of humor. He had the ability to not take everything so seriously and enjoyed all of life. I am proud to have been his brother.
Scott Howard
August 8, 2014
A sad, sad farewell to our guardianship angel.
Bill Borgeson
August 7, 2014
Brooke was a defender of the mentally ill, developmentally disabled and troubled acting out teens. Compassionate and tireless in learning about circumstances that needed to be addressed. Brooke was accessible and available, and loved to work with juvenile probation officers in the trenches. Brooke never forgot his probation roots or his good friend and co-worker with Cook County Juvenile Probation who died too young, Harold Marx. Brooke helped to found the Marx Fund in Cook County to raise funds for indigent youth on probation to enable them to enjoy cultural, skill building and recreational opportunities as a fitting legacy to his friend. We,in DuPage County have attempted to use a similar model on a less grand scale to continue that effort. Brooke, through his efforts from the late 70's through the late 90's was able to help promote reforms between the juvenile court and local school districts which eventually assisted in greater collaboration on behalf of educationally handicapped students who were also involved with the juvenile courts.Even after Brooke was no longer officially hired to represent probation, he always returned calls and offered helpful guidance and resources. I offer my sincere condolences to Brooke's wife and children. He was a fine man who will be missed. Respectfully,
Bill Borgeson -Juvenile Probation Officer
BOB CRAIG
August 7, 2014
WAS A LIFELONG FRIEND SINCE COLLEGE.
I WILL MISS HIM GREATLY LIKE EVERYONE ELSE. CONDOLENCES TO LINDA AND THE KIDS.
August 7, 2014
Brooke was a vibrant soul. I knew him to be one of the most compassionate professionals in the field of special education. As most who will be posting, I was so shocked to hear of his passing. He was one of those friends who you could call upon, maybe years without seeing one another, and it was as if no time had passed. He was always "there" and never too busy to give sage advice, but also to care about how things were going on a personal level. We have lost a bright light, and I will miss him terribly. I will think about him often in the years to come and reflect upon his contribution to humanity.
Christy Magnusen, Ph.D.
Former Director of Belleville Area Special Services Cooperative
William J Fabian. ( Anna)
colleen. Anna-Fabian
August 7, 2014
Jeffrey Galvin
August 7, 2014
My heartfelt condolences to Brooke's family. He helped our family with our son's special needs placement at the O-School. He was a good man and great attorney who will be missed. May he rest in peace.
Jane McAtee
August 7, 2014
I am so saddened at Brooke's passing. Condolences to his family, clients and many friends. He helped us many times at the academic medical center where I work. He was a great teacher and true expert.
Larry Kuster
August 7, 2014
Brooke was a person of integrity and a great lawyer. It was a privilege to have known and worked with him. He will be missed.
Annette & Avram Sacks
August 7, 2014
Three years ago Brook literally saved our son from a school district that had no idea how to teach him. Although we interviewed several attorneys, Brooke was the only one who insisted on meeting our son; spending 2.5 hours with us on a Sunday morning even before we were his clients. Brooke was passionate about helping his young clients. After only a short while he "got" our son. He understood what he needed and he understood what we were up against. Brooke's passing is a loss to all those dedicated to helping children with special needs. There may be other competent and capable attorneys in this field, but Brooke had a special mix of skill, passion, and appreciation for the potential of his young clients that was rare. May his family, friends and colleagues be comforted among all those who mourn and may his memory be for a blessing.
Barbie Hines
August 6, 2014
Brooke helped us with our son for years, even through incredibly difficult circumstances. His legal expertise was beyond admirable, and the emotional support he gave me even more so. Experiencing Brooke was an honor and a privilege. Brooke Whitted mattered.
Larry Rand
August 6, 2014
I met Brooke more than 20 years ago and found him to be a special combination of compassion and commitment. He was a tireless advocate, but he also was a person of ideas and feelings who treasured his family and friends. Eminently successful, he remained very down to earth in the way he communicated, and he remembered very clearly where he came from. It was an honor and a pleasure to know him.
Ruth Major
August 6, 2014
I am saddened by the news of Brooke's passing. He did so much to help children and teachers. He truly cared about the people he worked with and represented. I am glad I had the chance to know him. He will be missed.
Mary Rosinski
August 6, 2014
Dear Linda and family, wishing you love now and always. I will always remember Brooke for being one of the kindest generous people I am honored to have known, and a man whose family was so important to him.
Lisa Rosenberg
August 6, 2014
I am so shocked and saddened to hear about Brooke 's passing. I send condolences to his family, friends and colleagues.Throughout my many years as a Special Education Teacher and Special Education School Director , I grew to admire and be inspired by Brooke's passion and knowledge regarding Special Education issues as well as his advocacy for children and their families. May his wonderful accomplishments bring comfort to all who knew him at this difficult time.
Cathy Fiore
August 6, 2014
Terribly sorry for your loss, he helped us with our son during a difficult time. Prayers to you all.
August 6, 2014
My condolences to the family sorry for your loss may God bless you all.
Michael Gorman
August 6, 2014
Brooke offered guidance to so many parents with special needs children but most importantly he became the voice and advocate for these children. I was one of those parents and I will be eternally grateful for his guidance.
August 5, 2014
I'm profoundly saddened to hear of Brooke Whitted's passing. He was a passionate advocate for children & truly honored the dignity of the human spirit.
Michelle Walsh
Annette Mugrditchian
August 5, 2014
Linda and family
I am so sorry for your loss. Brooke was my first mentor and a great friend. He was one of a kind. He will be missed.
Doris Hyerczyk
August 5, 2014
I am so sad. Many years ago Brooke came into our lives and helped us so much with our nephew. My entire family just loved Brooke. Our deepest and most sincere condolences to you. He will be greatly missed.
August 5, 2014
I consider myself a late addition to Brooke's countless friends and acquaintants and while I am shocked and saddened about it ending so soon, I am profoundly thankful for the encounters we were granted.
My sincerest condolensces to his personal and professional families.
Uli Senz, Genesee Lake School.
Christin Hawkins
August 4, 2014
Saddened by Brooke's passing. An incredible person. Prayers for his family.
Robin McGinnis
August 4, 2014
Brooke was a kind individual and skilled attorney with a passion for helping children. Thank you Brooke for all the children's lives you touched.
Cynthia Brouillard
August 4, 2014
Brooke's passing is a profound loss to those who were lucky enough to have known him and to the special needs community as a whole. He was an inspiration not only as a professional, but as a person. He will be greatly missed. My deepest condolences go out to his wife Linda, about whom he always spoke with such profound admiration and respect, and his children, Ross and Layne.
Thomas Moy
August 4, 2014
Our condolences to Linda, Ross and Layne. We watched from a distance through the years as our fraternal organization and Brooke's family matured. We are guilty, as many, in not thanking Brooke for his continious support in life, but promise to assist whenever we can in his family's future.
T. H. Moy, Past President AALEA
Don Robinson
August 4, 2014
I've known Brooke since his Juvenile Court days and then on into his attorney days. Brooke represented us twice in disputes with school districts in regard to my autistic step-daughter. If it weren't for Brooke, I know she would be no where near what she has achieved today. I thank you for sharing Brooke with us, and hope that you find solace knowing he helped so many kids and so many families. My deepest sympathy to the family, I know we'll never forget what he did for us.
August 4, 2014
Mr. Whitted taught 'Psychiatry and the Law' to the Child Psychiatry Fellows at Rush University for many years. I was shocked to hear of his death. He will be greatly missed! Please accept my condolences!
Shirley Congenie
August 4, 2014
Mike Tanimura told me. I'm awfully sorry for your loss. Ira Elliott
William Kessner
August 4, 2014
I was saddened to read of Brooke's passing. My sympathy to you all !
Barbara Javaras
August 3, 2014
Our Deepest Sympathy to the Family. May his Memory be Eternal .
Sharon Klingstedt
August 3, 2014
Dear Linda, Ross and Layne,
I just today heard about your loss. Brooke was a dear, special man. Terry and I are so so sorry to hear of his passing. What a shock. May God heal your hurting hearts.
Patti McConnell
August 3, 2014
We are shocked and saddened to read of Brooke's death. I worked with him at Juvenile Court and admired his work ethic and his compassion for his Wards. I knew he had become an attorney and had continued with his interest in young people, particularly disadvantaged ones. He will be missed.
The Talmans
August 3, 2014
Brooke changed our lives in innumerable ways. We will always remember him.
Karen tipp
August 3, 2014
He was a great teacher in the field of special ed, a great support to the psych and special ed teachers ,and great support of parents. He was just great.
Alice Gutenkauf
August 3, 2014
Dear Linda and family
I am so shocked to hear about Brooke - he and I go way back to 1975 when the Special Ed law 92-142 was enacted and I was appointed a hearing officer for the State of Illinois. Much of the time he was representing the children. I always admired his knowledge of the law and ability to present his case most cogently. I have gone to him over the years for advice even after being replaced by lawyers as hearing officers. He will be sorely missed.
Tiffany
August 2, 2014
My condolences to your family. May the hope promised for the future for those who have fallen asleep in death comfort you. Acts 25:14
Susan Strange
August 2, 2014
Our sincerest condolences to Linda, Ross, and Layne on your loss. Brooke was an outstanding man, advocate, volunteer, and attorney. He will long remain as a blessed memory in the many people whose lives were made better by his caring, dedicated actions.
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