Menu
Search by Name
Search by Name
FUNERAL HOME
700 Timberlane Road
Tallahassee, Florida
James Brooks Obituary
Dr. James S. Brooks, 70, of Alligator Point, FL passed away on September 27, 2014 of natural causes. He was Professor and Chairman of the Department of Physics at Florida State University in Tallahassee, FL. In addition, he was one of the early experimental faculty members to join the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory where he carried out a prolific research program with colleagues both in the United States and around the world. At the laboratory he was Director of the Condensed Matter Science and Experimental Group.
Prior to moving to Florida he was a member of the physics faculty at Boston University. Professor Brooks was a graduate of the University of California, Berkeley and received his doctoral degree in physics from the University of Oregon. He was also a member of the Journal of Low Temperature Physics Editorial Board; and a Fellow of the American Physical Society. He spent many hours during the summer working with Florida classroom teachers and students on exploring adventures in science.
Dr. Brooks dedicated his life to many scientific communities. His enthusiasm for his work and success of fellow scientists will be missed. He loved teaching and spent countless hours dedicated to his colleagues and graduate students. He will be remembered as an accomplished scientist, mentor, and friend to all.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Melvin and Alma Brooks of Los Alamos, NM where his father was a senior and distinguished leader of nuclear weapons science during the Manhattan project through the Cold War era. He is survived by his sister Marcia DeLeon and late brother-in-law Roger DeLeon of Edgewood, NM; his sister Marla Brooks and nephew James Brooks of Los Alamos, NM, and longtime companion Janet Patten of Tallahassee, FL.
A memorial will be held at a later time. Expressions of condolences may be made at www.culleysmeadowwood.com In lieu of flowers contributions may be made in Dr. Brooks' name to WFSU/NPR, Tallahassee; the American Heart Association; or favorite animal shelter.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for James Brooks
Sponsored by Bill Skocpol - Boston University.
November 7, 2016
I recall James back in 1968 in Eugene when we were graduate students -- he had a radio show back then.
Lauren Stille Gascoigne, Westminster California
Bill Skocpol
May 14, 2015
Jim Brooks was an essential colleague at Boston University. He invited me give a Solid State Seminar on my work on quantum effects in MOSFET inversion layer nanostructures in 1987, after my wife had returned to Harvard while I was still at Bell Labs. Then he worked with Larry Sulak and others to get me a tenure offer, responding with enthusiasm when part way through the process my research switched to High-Tc Superconducting Thin Films (as did half of other materials physicists).
He gave me temporary lab space while the animal confinement cages were being removed from the shell space that had been held for an appointment like mine. He consoled me with the slow pace of construction of my lab and promoted cooperation with his student Jeff Hettinger. Within that first year, he and Larry went after my close collaborator at Bell Labs, Paul Mankiewich, our nanofabrication whiz. Since Paul wanted to earn a Ph.D., Brook's Applied Physics Ph.D. Program allowed enough flexibility to help make that work out. Paul then helped develop a wonderful Materials Research Facility, when previously there was not even equipment to deposit a simple thin film.
Jim's ability to handle sudden twists of fate was shown at 6 am on April 8, 1988, during that first year. I was scheduled to be a committee member for the Thesis Defense of Yu Pei Ma, his student, later that day. I asked what I should do, as my wife was going into labor with our first (and only) child. He said "Don't worry, your wife is your only responsibility, we'll figure out how to cover for you at the defense." I never asked quite what that meant.
There were many other times when I sought his wise counsel, regarding my students, my research, and what the heck TTF-TCNQ stood for. That was on my mind when WBZ called the physics department to ask for a scientific question (and answer) that Ozzie Osbourne could answer (impressively correctly) on the air. I happened to be there and came up with a question which asked what was the chemical composition of TTF-TCNQ, and what were the various phases that it exhibited at various temperatures and magnetic fields. We taped it off the radio, and played it at Jim's engagement party (?) on Plum Island. Alka Swanson still has the tape.
I was very disappointed when Jim left BU for FSU, because of the shift of the magnet lab from MIT to FSU and Los Alamos. But I fully understood his dedication to both research and teaching, and knew that FSU was the only place that he could continue both important aspects of his life. Jim Brooks was a marvelous human being, and I have greatly missed having him as my immediate colleague ever since he left Boston University.
Joe Brill
October 28, 2014
I got to know Jim in 2001 when he was on sabbatical at U. Kentucky. We shared similar interests in physics and had a lot of fun discussing a variety of topics from physics to students to beer. He also taught a graduate student seminar class in organic conductors that was very popular with the students and he clearly was really enjoying teaching it. I'll always think of him with a smile and is family and FSU department have all my sympathy.
George Schmiedeshoff
October 27, 2014
I've started this paragraph about a dozen times since I first heard the news, and I haven't gotten it quite right. This won't be quite right either, and it's a long way from complete, but with the deadline for submission looming I wanted to get something in.
I'm still a bit stunned. Brooks and the magnet lab go together so strongly in my mind that it's hard to imagine one going on without the other.
I first met Brooks in the summer of 1979, but I didn't really get to know him until I started working for him as a postdoc at the old magnet lab in 1985. I learned so much from him, from the group, from our neighboring groups, from the magnet lab staff, and from the endless stream of magnet lab users passing through that I can't possibly list it all. It was a mind-altering experience for sure. Brooks taught me how solid state physics differs from helium physics, how to keep dilution refrigerators running with 5-minute epoxy, and why it's a bad idea to leave GE varnish near the coffee machine. I learned about writing grants, how beer is good for experiments, where and why to buy hawaiian shirts in Las Vegas, where the good night spots were/are, and I started learning about institutional politics...a subject I'm still trying to learn (Brooks was a natural). It was an honor to have worked with him.
Brooks was especially supportive as my postdoc was winding down and I was trying to figure out which way I wanted my career to go. He "gave me" one of the research subjects that he and I had been working on and through him I met some of the collaborators that I have been working with ever since. I wouldn't have this career that I love without Brooks. We haven't collaborated since those days, but we would cross paths at the March Meeting and I would visit him when I was running in Tallahassee. I wish I had visited with him more, a lot more. I miss him.
Ardith Flory
October 25, 2014
Marla, James, Marcia, and Roger:
I met James at Boston University through Physics class. I worked in his BU research group that ran a low temperature high magnetic field facility at the MIT Francis Bitter National Magnet Laboratory: I put electronic instrumentation together for experiments and partioned disks to set up his first IBM personal computer. We became close and I enjoyed traveling with him to Ireland, New Mexico, Colorado and California for conferences and leisure. I enjoyed his famous parties at the lakeside Wellesley house and partnering with him to buy another house; a beach house in Newburyport, MA, where we had, you guessed it, more parties. I knew the support of his friendship for 34 years and feel the loss deeply. I only wish I could have had the chance at another 34 years of his unique and wonderful friendship.
My father Stan, a former chemical engineer, and his wife Brigitte of Baton Rouge LA; my brother Charles, his wife Aileen; my friends Kathy (Sullivan) Mager and Virginia (Thornton) MacSweeney of New York all had the pleasure of meeting James and send their condolences.
Stephen Nagler
October 21, 2014
It's hard to add too much to what has already been said about Brooks in this guest book. I was not privileged to have him as a colleague but I did interact with him on many occasions, and those interactions were always uplifting. He was a special person who will be remembered fondly and missed greatly.
Hans Schneider-Muntau
October 16, 2014
I am very sad to hear of the sudden death of Jim. He was a most wonderful person and friend. I treasure the many colorful memories of working with him during the exciting times in the early days of the magnet lab.
It was a unique chance in our lives to be able to build such a magnificent facility and develop successfully a vision for the future. We were able to find and meet pioneers, new people with new ideas, people who shared our enthusiasm to explore new frontiers. And I was able to meet Jim.
He was such a pioneer, not only in physics but also in his daily life. He was a very creative scientist, always asked the right questions and gave everything a positive and exiting twist. Nothing was steady; it was as if he lived the first derivative. His strong and persuasive personality was instrumental in shaping the human and scientific environment of this new laboratory, helping it move in the right direction.
One of his character facets was his wonderful sense of humor and a story comes to my mind. Jim lived in an isolated location on the long beach of Bald Point State Park, about one hour drive from the magnet lab, where we visited several times for barbeque, sailing and surfing. I asked him if he was fearful of living alone with the neighbors so far away, and he had the perfect European answer. He said, with a straight face, “Last week a man entered my property without asking for permission, so I took a gun and shot him down. It was the postman. How stupid, now I won't get any mail anymore.”
I was very much impressed by his strong scientific curiosity and quest for physics. This reminds me of another typical moment. The strong fields at the magnet lab and their strong gradients made magnetic levitation possible. Of course, Jim had to try it. We looked at the floating material and discussed together if and how a special magnetic field shape might improve or originate new effects. There was always the same question he murmured again and again: but where is the physics, where is the physics?
He had such great curiosity about exploring and working at other magnet laboratories. I do not know of any magnet facility in the world where he has not worked and left his traces, including Japan and even Arzamas-16.
Jim was a very caring person, and he had a very open heart for everybody who needed his help and support. He had a most wonderful relationship with his students and taught them not only physics but also how to catch fish and oysters. The open house was always spectacular because of his lessons about the physics of frozen oranges.
Jim's sudden death creates a void in my life. Somehow I had hoped to see him again somewhere around a magnet, trying to increase the field with pole pieces or doing flux compression experiments. We did not stay together because facts of life separated us, but I will keep in my heart the memory of a most curious, joyful and caring person. I believe he may now be somewhere in a better world, learning (or teaching?) the physics of what holds this world together.
Leslie Woolley
October 14, 2014
Dear Janet and Brooks' family,
We will miss Brooks. We will miss seeing him at the Beach and hanging out with him there.
We will miss seeing him in DC. I will never forget the time you all stayed with us for the weekend. He entertained our two children who were probably 4 and 7 by introducing them to magnets and making a face mask out of tin foil. I will never forget him sitting at the table with a piece of tin foil molded to his face and the kids just entranced that an adult would do such a cool thing.
In particular Janet we loved him for the way he took care of you.
We love you both.
Leslie, Doyle, Ann and Cameron
Shaojie Yuan
October 10, 2014
I still can not believe this is true. It seams to me you are just away for a meeting or an experiment in Los Alamos.
Your spirit and attitude to science,to your career have influenced us and will keep influencing us.
It is an honor to be your student not only because you are a great physicist, but also for that you are a nice person, warm and kind.
Recently, News mentioned your family history, your childhood and the Manhattan project. You might knew Richard Feynman. Great people group. I should have asked more.
Thank you and it is an honor, Dr. Brooks!
Shaojie
Brooks in 2nd Grade Classroom
Paul Parker
October 9, 2014
Rimma Shibaeva
October 8, 2014
I would like to offer my heartfelt condolences to the family and all MagLab colleguaes. Jim Brooks visited Chernogolovka on the Schegolev Memorial Conference in 2009. Here I give some photos from there.
ROBERT CLARK
October 6, 2014
VALE FROM DOWN-UNDER: PROFESSOR JIM BROOKS – SCIENTIST, COLLEAGUE, FRIEND
I learned this morning of the sudden passing away of my great friend and colleague Jim Brooks. The sense of loss that I and my fellow Australian scientists who have worked with Jim feel is profound – he touched our lives, and we are better people for it.
Over the years Jim and I have worked alongside each other at Boston, Los Alamos, Tallahassee, Tokyo and Sydney. The most memorable of these was the historic, international ‘Dirac' series of experiments to 800 Tesla at Los Alamos National Laboratory - using US shaped-explosives and test-site, Russian flux-compression coils and Australia-US-developed co-planar transmission-line fast electronics. The aim was to pull the electrical signal associated with a particular state of matter out of an explosion in which all equipment was destroyed in a micro-second and which literally set a canyon on fire. It was a heady time, and with his typical charm and style Jim worked night and day in his Hawaiian shirt, baggy shorts, short socks and open sandals completely unfazed by the complexity and stress that these one-shot campaigns bring. My enduring memory of Jim at this time was doing a helium transfer with him in this environment, off the back of a pick-up truck at the canyon test-site, aided by our Navajo Indian colleagues – who later hosted a visit by us to a major gathering of the Native American Indian tribes in New Mexico.
Jim visited our Australian magnet lab on several occasions. As a scientist with numerous international links, he was essentially ‘portable' and self-contained – his philosophy expressed to me with his infectious smile was ‘why buy the cow when you can milk it through the fence'. He was interested in the science and measurement, not so much the equipment that underpins it. I think this explains why most of his working life was spent in big facilities – that freed him up to focus on the big science. And no-one did this better than Jim Brooks. He was a great experimental physicist, who simply lived and breathed his work. He set standards of excellence for the rest of us to follow.
When Jim came to Sydney he stayed at our house, as did I at his Gulf of Mexico beach house when I visited Tallahassee. My children loved Jim, photographed his Hawaiian shirt collection on our washing line, shared his music – his favourite at the time was ‘One Headlight' of son of Bob Dylan fame, and with him in the middle of our street at night, aided by his lap-top and star software, searched for the Southern Cross in the Sydney sky.
When I came to Tallahassee, Jim would pick me up late at night at the airport in his baby-blue open-topped Chevy, where he would have a cold six-pack of Fosters waiting.
There is much more I could say about Jim. He loved Salsa dancing (he was very bad at it), Karaoke (he couldn't sing well) and fishing in his small boat in the Gulf.
If there is a heaven beyond this earth, Jim will be there at the bar awaiting his Aussie mates.
October 6, 2014
VALE FROM DOWN-UNDER: PROFESSOR JIM BROOKS – SCIENTIST, COLLEAGUE, FRIEND
I learned this morning of the sudden passing away of my great friend and colleague Jim Brooks. The sense of loss that I and my fellow Australian scientists who have worked with Jim feel is profound – he touched our lives, and we are better people for it.
Over the years Jim and I have worked alongside each other at Boston, Los Alamos, Tallahassee, Tokyo and Sydney. The most memorable of these was the historic, international ‘Dirac' series of experiments to 800 Tesla at Los Alamos National Laboratory - using US shaped-explosives and test-site, Russian flux-compression coils and Australia-US-developed co-planar transmission-line fast electronics. The aim was to pull the electrical signal associated with a particular state of matter out of an explosion in which all equipment was destroyed in a micro-second and which literally set a canyon on fire. It was a heady time, and with his typical charm and style Jim worked night and day in his Hawaiian shirt, baggy shorts, short socks and open sandals completely unfazed by the complexity and stress that these one-shot campaigns bring. My enduring memory of Jim at this time was doing a helium transfer with him in this environment, off the back of a pick-up truck at the canyon test-site, aided by our Navajo Indian colleagues – who later hosted a visit by us to a major gathering of the Native American Indian tribes in New Mexico.
Jim visited our Australian magnet lab on several occasions. As a scientist with numerous international links, he was essentially ‘portable' and self-contained – his philosophy expressed to me with his infectious smile was ‘why buy the cow when you can milk it through the fence'. He was interested in the science and measurement, not so much the equipment that underpins it. I think this explains why most of his working life was spent in big facilities – that freed him up to focus on the big science. And no-one did this better than Jim Brooks. He was a great experimental physicist, who simply lived and breathed his work. He set standards of excellence for the rest of us to follow.
When Jim came to Sydney he stayed at our house, as did I at his Gulf of Mexico beach house when I visited Tallahassee. My children loved Jim, photographed his Hawaiian shirt collection on our washing line, shared his music – his favourite at the time was ‘One Headlight' of son of Bob Dylan fame, and with him in the middle of our street at night, aided by his lap-top and star software, searched for the Southern Cross in the Sydney sky.
When I came to Tallahassee, Jim would pick me up late at night at the airport in his baby-blue open-topped Chevy, where he would have a cold six-pack of Fosters waiting.
There is much more I could say about Jim. He loved Salsa dancing (he was very bad at it), Karaoke (he couldn't sing well) and fishing in his small boat in the Gulf.
If there is a heaven beyond this earth, Jim will be there at the bar awaiting his Aussie mates.
Robert Clark
Syuma Yasuzuka
October 6, 2014
12 years ago, I spent seven months in Tallahassee and had a chance to collaborate with Prof. Brooks who was a great mentor to me. There was a good overlap of both scientific and technical expertise between his group and me. For me, it was very happy. He always gave me many thoughtful comments and challenging ideas when I came up against difficulties. Thanks to his kind assistance, I could spend fulfilling days during my stay in Tallahassee. He was open, honest, and very friendly despite one of the most famous professors. His smile also encouraged me very much.
I thank Prof. Brooks again for all he has done.
Elida de Obaldia
October 6, 2014
Remembering Dr. Jim Brooks always brought a smile to my face. I know he had the same effect in all who knew him. He will be greatly missed!
Elida de Obaldia -
Universidad Tecnologica de Panama
Elida de Obaldia
October 6, 2014
Remembering Dr. Jim Brooks always brought a smile to my face. I know he had the same effect in all who knew him. He will be greatly missed!
Rama Bansil
October 6, 2014
I am deeply saddened by the loss of James Brooks, a dear friend and colleague when he was at Boston University. I recall the parties at his lakeside house in Wellesley and many conversations both about science and other stuff. Jim not only loved his research he truly was committed to teaching. And he had an amazing memory. Occasionally he would send an email asking questions about some scientific comment that I had made in the dim past. We will miss him.
Tadashi Kawamoto
October 5, 2014
I remember his warm smile. My most interesting work was carried out with him at the MagLab. Some articles including my most favorite one were written with him. Thank you Brooks-sensei.
October 4, 2014
Indeed Brooks was a 'friend to all' and we will all miss him terribly.
Lois Wright Hawkes
Michael Shatruk
October 3, 2014
James was an amazing person. Even though we worked in different departments, he was always very supportive of my work and was a great mentor to me when I just came to FSU. We tried several times to jump-start joint projects, and finally, last summer our groups were able to obtain some fantastic results that will be soon published in one of the top journals. I will miss Brooks greatly, his humor, his ability to cheer up everyone in the room, and his genuine love of science and discovery. We will always think of him when continuing our quest for new materials. Thank you, James, for showing me how fun science can be!
Brooks Red Fish
October 3, 2014
Brooks Red Fish
The Parkers
October 3, 2014
We already miss Brooks at Alligator Point and Bald Point. He loved to fish and take out his boat regardless of what he caught, but he was proud of his catches. He loved to try to inspire my boys about science and bring them gifts from his travels. We will fondly remember rescuing Brooks from his stuck truck and dead boat batteries, drinking beer while daring to pet and feed the dogs ,watching him reel in mackeral and grouper, and denting the ceiling in my son's 1st grade class with a magnet launched projectile. He loved his work and those he worked with enough to turn down lots of invites to fish only to head into the lab on Saturday morning. He never hesitated to try to help someone that needed help. We will miss him at the coast.
Stephan von Molnar
October 3, 2014
As his colleague of twenty years at the physics department of the Florida State University, I was saddened to hear of James Brook's untimely death. James had enormous enthusiasm for physics and science in general, which affected all who knew him. He was also a dedicated champion of the department, serving as its chair at this very critical time when the value of science is often not appreciated. The physics community and I will miss him greatly.
On the roof of Brooks' house
Taichi Terashima
October 3, 2014
Nearly two decades ago, I spent a year in Tallahassee working with Brooks and his group. I have noticed that that was an important moment in my life. I remember that, one day, we had a party at his house and climbed the roof of his house. The last few years I worked with him again visiting Tallahassee to use magnets. He always welcomed me.
He was a person of multiculturalism (naturally not artificially). He always tried to understand what I wanted to say with my poor speaking English (my speaking English is much worse than my writing as usual for the Japanese). He tried to speak slowly and clearly so that I could understand him.
I will miss him.
October 3, 2014
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
American Heart Association
October 2, 2014
May your memories of the wonderful times you shared with your loved one comfort you and your family, today and always.
arjun narayanan
October 2, 2014
Prof Brooks, and his students on whom his spark has certainly rubbed off, always made the magnet lab feel like home when I visited. As a foreign student who had been in America for 4 years when I first met him, this was the first time I had felt so welcome in a while. Often in the subsequent years I have found the concept I have been struggling with best explained in some paragraph of an old paper of his. I also often remember and emulate his attitude to problems in the lab. But one can learn so much more from him, I hope someday to learn to treat others with grace, humility, and unearned affection from the first moment as he did with me.
Daniel Davis
October 2, 2014
Professor Jim Brooks,
You were an amazing person to have met. Your enthusiasm enriched the lives of those around you. I was recently speaking to another student about your off the wall materials class where you got us to play with soap and silicon chips. The last colloquium you gave helped me connect symmetry loss (preferred direction) to the quantization of materials.
You will be missed.
A wet crew of Open House volunteers
David Graf
October 2, 2014
A maglab friend suggested I add this photo of Brooks from the 2002 Open House. He made a sling held together with an electromagnet to carry LN2-frozen fruit up in a lift. He then stood in the rainy parking lot for 5 hours explaining gravity and magnets to any kid who wanted to push a button, release the fruit and watch it shatter. Science education at its finest…
Phyllis Powell
October 2, 2014
Dear Marla, James Marsha and Janet. I worked for Brooks for six years and there was never a nicer person to have as a boss. He always had a nice word to say and his students loved him. He touched many people with his kindness. He will be truly missed. My condolences in your time of grief.
Steve Edwards and family
October 2, 2014
Please accept our sincere condolences.
Laurel Winter
October 2, 2014
Dr. Brooks was a great advisor whose door was always open, whether you were a student, or faculty, or anyone really. He was enthusiastic about science and loved when he could get his hands dirty in the lab with us. I will miss his joking, our conversations on opposite sides of my cubicle wall, and his random emails. Every time I put on my Birkenstocks I will think of him fondly.
Tokyo ISSMM, 2013
Esma Okur
October 2, 2014
He was a great man and scientist. I am so sorry to hear that. I am shocked. Last time when i saw him We were in a same meeting last year in Japan. I was quite worried about my poster presentation as a young PhD student. He encouraged me and told me some stories about his life and students. I was more confident and happy after the conversation..And I got the best poster prize thanks to him. We will all miss you Brooks-sensei!
Kate & Bob Moss
October 2, 2014
Dearest Janet,
We were stunned and saddened at the news of Brooks' sudden death. We have been reminiscing about all the wonderful times we had together -- in DC, Cabo and Santa Fe -- his terrific sense of humor, his unique perspectives on so many things, his colorful molecular ties and his caring for you. We will miss him greatly. We will keep you in our thoughts and prayers during this most difficult time and look forward to seeing you soon.
Much love,
Kate & Bob
October 2, 2014
On behalf of the Florida State University Association of Retired Faculty (ARF) we would like to extend our condolences to the family on the loss of James. We hope the support and loving concern of others will help give you the strength you need from day to day. Please know that he is remembered fondly and will be listed in our Association's Memorial. Sincerely, Tom & Esther Harrison, Memorial Chairs
Marwan Al-Haik
October 2, 2014
Thanks James for showing us the way and for being "the" living proof that Physicists can be the most humane and most fun among us.
Marwan Al-Haik, Virginia Tech
Makariy Tanatar
October 2, 2014
I first met Jim Brooks in 2000 when he was visiting Kyoto, where I was working at a time. Japanese people nick-named him Ogawa-sensei (Brook-teacher as literal translation of Professor Brooks). By that time I knew a lot about his high field work, but has never met him in person. The first impression is usually the most vivid, and I remember I was impressed of how American he was. I mean in a stereotypic and positive sense, he was open, friendly, honest, open minded and very democratic, no snobbism at all. Not to mention he always had very interesting and unique, very experimental, approach to science which I always admired. This first impression turned out to be very correct, we became colleagues and friends, with our ways crossing very frequently at conferences and other occasions. It is very difficult for me to write about Jim in the past tense, we were supposed to discuss our current work during my up-coming visit, and has planned a multitude of future experiments. We had extremely interesting scientific discussions/conversations during Gordon conference in August which Jim was organizing. This was the last time I have seen him. Rest in piece, Ogawa-sensei. You were the man of your country and your time, your legacy and impression in the hearts and minds of the people will survive you for a long time.
October 2, 2014
To Janet and the entire Mag Lab family, our thoughts are with all of you. It was a special gift to have had Brooks in our lives. Julie Sheppard and Phillip Turner
October 1, 2014
Dear Marla, James Marsha and Janet. We are so sorry for your loss. We admired James and thought he was so cool. No one else in the neighborhood had a boa constrictor. This was too soon, our love to all of you.
Your childhood neighbors, the Diven family, David (Maui), Mary (Alaska) & Benita (Tijeras)
Eric Jobiliong
October 1, 2014
I thank God because I have opportunity to know Dr. Brooks as a great man and great mentor for me. He always encourages us even when we're all disappointed with the experiment results. As a boss, not only did he ask us do something but he's willing to help. We can find him easily in the lab because he has great passion working in the lab and helping students. Dr. Brooks, thanks again for all you have done. I believe that your students will always remember you and tell others about how you have given big impact to our lives.
October 1, 2014
My heart is shattered to know that such a wonderful man has passed from this earth. All the more important since he was a man of science, a teacher, a researcher and of deep intellect. But more still, he was hilarious, treated Janet with such sweet consideration, and loved his doggies. I don't know what more you could have asked of a man except to have stayed with us longer. With all my Love, Kristi Walseth
Wendy Hoffman
October 1, 2014
Marla & family, this is another such sad death. You & yours are in my thoughts & prayers. Lots of love from the whole Hoffman Family.
Anne Scully & EJ Rowland
October 1, 2014
Dear Janet, EJ and I were so shocked and sorry to hear the sad news of Brooks' passing. Our hearts go out to you and Brooks' family during this difficult time. You are in our thoughts and prayers. Much love, Anne & EJ
Barbara and Karl Albrecht
October 1, 2014
To Janet and Dr Brooks' family, our heartfelt condolences. We were so sorry to hear this sad, sad news. Our hearts go out to everyone who knew and loved Brooks.
Inexplicable Beer Jelly Gift
Isaac Rutel
October 1, 2014
To build up such a humble man almost feels like we do him a disservice. However, it is hard to think back on my time as Brooks' student and not feel the great joy of knowing I had that opportunity and great sadness to know that no others will be able. Witty, imaginative, inspiring, congenial and humbling are just a few of the descriptors that come to mind when I recall those treasured by-gone years.
Given his love for Japan and their culture; a short poem I wrote in his honor:
Physics explained
with cool, natural aplomb
Entropy wins, Brooks.
We all fight entropy and in condensed matter sometimes it feels like it is literally the cause of our woes. This irreversible state change, while inevitable, certainly came too soon for us.
While there are many things I took away from my time under his tutelage (including an education in physics), the one thing that sticks with me was the discovery that if you loved your work, you had fun doing it; and those around you couldn't help with being infected and realizing the love they might have as well. This combination of humor with our work is, for me, summed up with a gift I received from him, after a trip he made to the other "T" in the BT&T group name, Tsukuba, Japan. Seen in the attached picture is a small glass boot of Classic All Malt Beer Jelly. Why he would purchase this, or why anyone would think this would be a good thing to spread on morning toast is beyond me. Yet it remains on my desk after 13+ years as a reminder to not take myself or my work life too seriously, because one should always make time for beer jelly toast during your day.
Thank you Brooks for everything you gave, to the lab, to students, to postdocs, and colleagues. In a way, you were part of our family and I hope in some way you thought of us as a part of yours. This world is a lesser place without you in it and we are thankful you were here.
Lynn Mayfield
October 1, 2014
I've known Dr. Brooks for 19 years he has and was always been so kind to me. We joked around a lot. When he entered a room you knew something wonderful just happened. This place will not be the same with out him. I'm not sure how everyone else feels but I know there will be a void that cannot be filled for he was truly one of a kind. I had the pleasure of having known him. He is one of my Heroes Lynn Mayfield ( Mag Lab)
Susan Ray
October 1, 2014
When I started working at the MagLab, I knew virtually nothing about physics. I must have shown my ignorance every time I opened my mouth. Everyone told me, “you should talk to Brooks.” And so I summoned up the courage to do so, and discovered what everyone else already knew: he was a gifted teacher and his enthusiasm for science was contagious. I sought him out many times over, and though I know he had many more pressing and important things to do, he made the time to explain the science, which helped me explain it to those who knew even less. He made strawberries, dice, and water levitate (we're not to talk about the frogs) for videographers knowing that somewhere, a student was going to see one of those videos and develop an interest in science. If there is a science demonstration Hall of Fame, it should be named after Brooks.
Jim Brooks give his "pedestrian view of matter" at the MagLab on Sept. 5, 2014.
Kathleen Laufenberg
October 1, 2014
Jim Brooks at the MagLab, during his Sept. 5, 2014 talk, "A walk through the magic world of materials & magnets."
Kathleen Laufenberg
October 1, 2014
Jim Brooks at the MagLab, giving a Sept. 5, 2014 talk called "A walk through the magic world of materials and Magnets."
Kathleen Laufenberg
October 1, 2014
Kathleen Laufenberg
October 1, 2014
Jim Brooks had a passion for science, a sly wit and a color-outside-the-lines approach to life in general. I will never forget his 2012 science demo of Jacob's Ladder for WFSU's Mike Plummer's Dimension series. (And neither will Mike, no doubt.) I will miss his sandals-and-socks fashion statement, his rakish smile, his remarkably fast wit and eccentric humor, his open office door and his willingness to answer yet another of my physics-du-jour questions or requests. If it weren't for his darkened lab and office, I wouldn't believe that he is so suddenly gone. It is a tremendous loss for the lab, and for all of us who were lucky enough to get to know him.
David Graf
October 1, 2014
I was introduced to Brooks in 1999 when I found him in a third floor conference room during a Friday evening “group meeting”. He was laughing, drinking beer, looking at data and having a great time discussing the results. It was the first time of many that he would show me that you could work and have fun at the same time. Over the years I watched him lead by example with his amazing work ethic and in the way he treated others. If you needed advice, “Go see Brooks”. It didn't matter if you were his student or post-doc, his door was open. He would guide any willing student through the scientific process and then push them forward to take the credit for any success. The only time he looked for attention was if he could explain science to a larger audience. Like everyone he came into contact with, I am saddened at the loss of such a great mentor and man.
Greg Boebinger
October 1, 2014
I've known Brooks since 1982 when I was a grad student and he was an Assistant Professor at Boston University. We shared the same lab, sliding the magnet back and forth on rails depending on who had magnet time during any given week. Circumstances and personalities cast us as both friends, but also occasional competitors, because he was assigned to host Emilio Mendez, head of the IBM group working on the fractional quantum Hall effect. I was in the Stormer/Tsui (i.e. Bell Labs/Princeton) group. During one of their magnet runs, I was making alterations on our dilution refrigerator. As soon as I powered up the drill, electrical spikes showed up on their data, ruining the mobility of the delicate two-dimensional electron system in their sample for the rest of the day (until they could thermally cycle the sample back to room temperature). Emilio was upset. I felt terrible. It was Brooks who saw the humor and turned things into a teaching moment. In the 32 years since then, Emilio and I have laughed over the story over several beers several times (I typically have had to pick up the tab). For some reason, I told that story about Brooks most recently last Friday.
It has been a pleasure to have been a colleague of his at the MagLab and FSU Physics Department for the past ten years. He will be greatly missed.
Kirby Kemper
October 1, 2014
FSU and physics have lost a person who had a zest for science, the ability to form collaborations that led to new ideas and was a pleasure to just sit and discuss dogs, the gulf or anything else that came to mind. He was a friend and colleague and I will miss his beaming smile and joy of life.
Kirby Kemper, FSU
Rebekah, Gene, Rachel and Logan Rivers
October 1, 2014
Brooks was our Alligator Point neighbor for many years. We all loved his funky sense of humor. We will miss saying, "Brooks is here" because the one thing we knew was we didn't know where the conversation would take us. He will truly be missed by all of us.
Manuel Almeida
October 1, 2014
I will miss Jim Brooks both as a brilliant scientist and great friend. We started collaboration a more than 15 years ago, which turned out very fruitful and allow me to develop a close friendship and personal admiration. He became a regular visitor to our lab, always providing great support and stimulation to research activities and receiving the highest admiration from colleagues.
Moaz Altarawneh
September 30, 2014
Very sad news. What a great man who takes the hands of his students to be successful where ever they go. I remember every time I enter his office the enthusiasm to do science and his encouraging words. Yes I was raised by Dr. Brooks to be who I am today a person who inspire students every day to fall in love with science and physics. Being from this part of the world "middle east-Jordan" coming to the US was a huge leap and being the 24th phd student of Dr.Brooks was a privilege. In 2008, He gave me the ultimate golden chance by sending me to work with a very talented smart person Dr. chuck Mielke and yes this changed my life for ever. Dr. Brooks will be always remembered as person who gave his time and effort for his students and colleagues. Rest In Peace Dr. Brooks. No enough words show how much sad I am. Moaz altarawneh Alkarak , Jordan.
I made a drawing of Prof. Brooks and gave him before I left the lab in 2010. If you want the file, send me (Ade) an email ([email protected])
September 30, 2014
Eden Steven
September 30, 2014
Dr. Brooks was the best and the most dedicated mentor I have had. He worked very hard including the weekends to make sure we will be successful. He always made sure we had the best environment to excel and be creative. He made working in the lab fun. It is hard to move away from the lab when we are at the Maglab because it is such a fun lab to be in. Because of his dedication to us, everyone in the group really has one common goal, that is to make him proud in every opportunity we have. He took us in when we could not even use an ohmmeter yet. And his mentorship has made us better than we can ever be all because of him. A lot of us are not the brightest and the most talented when we started, but he can truly see our passion and help us achieve our dreams. His group is always very diverse, yet with his outgoing and fun personality and kindness in his own way, he managed to get his group to be cohesive and have great teamwork. Besides his wild research ideas, he also always offered his support when we had problems outside of work. These are just a few example. No words will be enough to describe his positive impacts to people around him. We all will miss him greatly and I regret not having a chance to say thank you to him one more time. I would like to offer my condolences to the family in this very painful time.
Lev Gor'kov
September 30, 2014
For more than twenty years I used to hear Jim's voice over the wall between our offices. We shared scientific interests in the organic metals and molecular conductors where Jim was the pioneers and the world leader. He possessed an uncommon sense of humor and it was one of our pleasant habits to tease friendly each other from time to time.
It is impossible to imagine that he is no more.
Alexey Kovalev
September 30, 2014
I am very deeply saddened by this. I knew Jim Brooks as a brilliant scientist well before I met him personally. He was a great friend for me and an excellent mentor. It was always a pleasure to talk with him. I remember one day we had a lunch together and he told me a story how the Maglab came into life, he knew many interested facts. I would like to offer my heartfelt condolences to the family.
Eun Sang Choi
September 30, 2014
I first met Brooks at a conference in 1998 when I was a graduate student looking for a job after upcoming graduation. He showed up dressed in knee pants with a shoulder bag full of papers, the same image I could encounter at the magnet lab at any given day. Since the first meeting, I have collected so many fond memories of him, which makes me smile even at this sad moment. The demonstration of gravity in the event of “leaning tower of Keen” was one of his ingenious abilities to make anything fun and educational. He sometimes brought whatever he harvested from his home to the lab. I learned that oysters and pecans are best when harvested by your boss. I am also greatly indebted to his support and encouragement through my professional career. He used to say that his office door is always often and was always eager to listen and give wonderful advices. Such a great scientist, mentor, thinker and humanist, he will be missed for a long time.
Brooks helping me out on my high-filed NMR experiments for my thesis (circa 2008).
Lloyd Lumata
September 30, 2014
I just want to pay tribute to my Ph.D. advisor at Florida State University Prof. James Brooks, a great mentor and friend who recently passed away last Saturday. Dr. Brooks was the head of the physics dept at FSU and the director of condensed matter sciences at the Magnet Lab at FSU. I was his 23rd PhD graduate back in 2008. He helped transform a clumsy graduate student like me into a great experimental physicist. His great recommendations landed me a job here at UT Dallas as a faculty. One of the things that I distinctly remember from him is that when we discuss physics experiments for a weekend during my grad student day, he always mentions "after Church". Now I always attend Church every sunday. Farewell Dr. Brooks, you will be missed!
Neil Sullivan
September 30, 2014
Jim's breadth of knowledge and enthusiasm for science was enjoyed by all who had the opportunity to interact with him. He always had a thoughtful comment, a challenging idea and sincere encouragement when you sought him out on almost any topic. He will be sorely missed.
Mark Novotny
September 30, 2014
Together with the worldwide family of people who were touched by Brooks, I grieve. (He would often sign his quick emails Brooks.) I have known Brooks since I was a Florida State University and he was not. During these many years I very much enjoyed his discussions and could see his excitement about his latest scientific endeavor, and he would actively discuss whatever I found exciting at the time. Brooks was always quick to give excellent council, whether about physics or about life. Furthermore, he was willing to shoulder more than his share of administrative requests to help out whoever asked. He was an excellent human being and an amazing physicist. He will be missed. We all grieve.
Sidney Redner
September 30, 2014
I was a long-time colleague of Jim Brooks in the Boston University Physics Department from the time he joined BU until he was recruited away by Florida State. He was an ideal colleague who had great love of physics, joie de vivre, and humorous irreverence. He was a wonderful mentor whose presence greatly improved our department. He played a major role in developing experimental condensed-matter physics in our department and personally recruited some of our now senior faculty. I recall fondly my collaboration with him more than 30 years ago to build an experiment to measure the conductivity exponent in directed percolation. When I proposed this experiment to him, he has generous with his time in helping to design and build a low-cost and ultimately successful experiment in spite of my clumsy efforts as a theorist to pretend I was an experimentalist. I am privileged to count Brooks as one of my colleagues and he will be sorely missed.
Sincerely, Sid Redner, Santa Fe Institute and Boston University
Jos Perenboom
September 30, 2014
I loved the beautiful, unconventional, dedicated man, Jim Brooks, with whom I had the pleasure to co-author about 30 papers. He has had a lasting influence on my life and career, for which I owe him gratitude. I was happy I could count him among my friends, and wish to pay my respect to his life.
Vaughan Williams
September 30, 2014
Though not part of the Physics community, I spent much time working with Jim developing instrumentation with his ideas. He was fun to be around both socially and in the workplace. He enjoyed teaching programs for the youthful generation such as "Saturday Morning Physics" and at the Mag Lab open house where his demonstrations were unusual but guaranteed to be remembered by youngsters. There are a few people in life that give you high levels of inspiration and motivation . Jim was one of them.
Takehiko Mori
September 30, 2014
We were deeply saddened by the news Prof. Jim Brooks passed away.
On behalf of the international training program, Tokyo Institute of Technology, sponsored by Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, I would like to express my sincere sympathy to Janet and MagLab colleagues.
My personal memory dates back to 1992 ICSM, Gothenburg, where he, wearing short pants, discussed quantum oscillation of organic superconductors in front of his poster. We cannot find any words that appropriately express his tremendous contribution to his research field since then. We could not miss mentioning the great collaboration with Tokumoto and Uji, but so many Japanese physicists, including my colleague Kawamoto, owe a lot of works and great findings to his kind support. He always joined the related international conferences, and encouraged the communities' works. He organized 2005 ISCOM at Key West. It is so regrettable for me that I, with Takahashi and Kagoshima, could not attend the meeting because we have to attend the interview of Japanese government's priority-area project. It is furthermore regrettable because so many of the achievements in the project owe the collaboration with MagLab facilities. Therefore, it was my great pleasure to have a chance to visit MagLab in December 2009; at that time he invited me to a see food restaurant. I with Enoki, Koshihara, Kiguchi, and Okimoto cordially thank him for his participation to the international training program. In collaboration with Rennes and Durham, we held schools and seminars at Rennes (2009), Argonne (2011), Durham (2012), and Tokyo (2013). I particularly remember his great arrangement of the Argonne meeting (March 13~, 2011) with J. Schlueter, which was held two days after a big earthquake attacked Japan, but many of us could fortunately attend the meeting. I also remember his smiles at Rusutsu (2001, September 11), Nantes (2003), and Shonan (2005). I met him in Montreal (July 2013) and Tokyo (November 2013), but thinking back now, he looked a little bit tired in these times. I also have to mention his effort to realize the Gordon conference held in this year, and the coming one.
Our sorrow is as big as his achievements. His scientific achievements are, however, eternal together with his warm personality living in our memory. We would like to express again our deepest sympathy to Janet and MagLab colleagues.
Takehiko Mori
With
Toshiaki Enoki
Shinya Koshihara
Manabu Kiguchi
Yoichi Okimoto
Tokyo Institute of Technology
Danica Krstovska
September 30, 2014
Brooks was an amazing person and I liked him very much. He helped me when I came to Magnet Lab as a Fulbrighter and I spent a wonderful time there knowing that he is always there for me. Sometimes we used to have different scientific views on a given physical problem but it turned out that all of that "arguing" about the physics was very helpful resulting in several good papers.
I am very happy that I managed to participate at the GRC conference in Lewiston in August (where he was a Vice Chair), I didn't expect that will be the last time I see him.
I will miss him and always remember him.
Magnet Lab will never be the same without his smiled face.
Lydie Valade
September 30, 2014
It was a great honor to us to see that our materials were attractive to Brooks. His eyes were sparkling when listening to the description of the new systems that we had prepared and with which he could play to explain their properties. What communicative enthusiasm in his questions and proposals for experiments. CNRS-LCC “Molecules and Materials” team, Toulouse, France.
Ade Kismarahardja
September 30, 2014
Prof. Brooks was a great mentor to me and I have learned to love what I am doing, physics and education, from him!
Vladimir Dobrosavljevic
September 29, 2014
This sad news has created a huge shock for all of us. Brooks was one of the people that help built this laboratory from the ground up, and his face is the one of the images that immediately pop up every time MagLab is mentioned.
Brooks was an enthusiast. He loved the science, the magnets, the quantum oscillations, the Fermi surfaces, but most of all, he loved the young people that he educated, the people whose love for science he helped grow and bloom. Brooks always worked with many people - he was surrounded by students, colleagues, users, visitors. He thrived building this community. I remember him taking his group, every Friday, late in the afternoon, to the golf course cafeteria, for a group meeting over a pitcher of beer and much discussion and many jokes. And it is those jokes - his humor - that will probably reman best remembered by many of us. He often saw the funny side of things, and this helped many of us in times which were not always easy, it helped people see the good side, not only the hard reality of life. Brooks was also a hard worker and a builder, he had a physical need to build a community, a new science major, a new class, a new research program. He also was the driving force behind our blooming Materials Science Cluster program that already has brought many excellent people, wonderful colleagues, young and old, to FSU. He made ties not only between the MagLab and Physics, but also created truly interdisciplinary collaborations and programs, bringing so many people from Engineering, Chemistry, Physics, School of Computational Science, to all interact and work together.
Brooks has departed suddenly and way to soon, and he will leave a vacuum that will be all too difficult to fill. But the inspiration to never stop, to push and push and never get discouraged, the path he traced, that will not be gone. His legacy will live, because he set an example. An example we have to follow, and that we will.
Arneil Reyes
September 29, 2014
For someone who worked closely with Jim for a long time, this is indeed, a very sad news. Jim is an exceptional friend and mentor, and the humblest physicist I've ever met. He has affected so many of us, through his smart intellect combined with wit, and his own brand of humor that sometimes makes you wonder if he is really serious.
As one of the science architects of the Maglab, Jim believes that the Maglab would be a great institution right from the start. And he made it so. His fingerprints are all over the lab, involving himself in a myriad of projects from the 1st floor to the 3rd, from OPMD to the C wing, from 0T to 100T, from Florida to New Mexico. With levitating frogs, egg drop experiments, CDW and organic superconductors, Jim has shown us the fun side of physics. He never run of ideas on how to make use of our humongous magnets less intimidating but rather, more entertaining, while doing great science at the same time.
Jim is no longer with us, but his presence will be felt for a long time. I am sure that if he is watching us right now, he is happily smiling knowing that we appreciate all that he has done.
Thanks, Jim!
The futures' so bright ya gotta wear shades.
Paul Emery
September 29, 2014
Brooks always led by example, most of the time it was wise to follow...he hated the phrase "take it easy" and would always emphatically reply "Never!" The picture included is a still from an 11 minute video taken at the old Magnet Lab in the mid 90's...contact me and I'll send you a copy.
Showing 1 - 75 of 75 results
Make a Donation
in James Brooks's name
Please consider a donation as requested by the family.
Memorial Events
for James Brooks
Funeral services provided by:
Culley's MeadowWood Funeral Home & Memorial Park - Tallahassee700 Timberlane Road, Tallahassee, FL 32312
How to support James's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreResources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read more
The Five Stages of Grief
They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read moreWays to honor James Brooks's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
