Joseph Brooks Mackey M.D.

My life changed when I met Brooks and Rochelle for the first time in 1969.
They were so much fun to be around I became somewhat of a groupie visiting them from city to city and country to country.
When Brooks was living in Bellevue we would occasionally meet for lunch and shared a catch up of our lives, which in his case was never dull.
I admired his brilliant intelligence, renaissance spirit and a larger than life personality.
His courage and tenacity in fighting his disease and a will to keep living life to the fullest right up to the end was amazing.

I first met Dr. Mackey when I was a Dentist at the 33rd Field Hospital in Wurzberg, Germany in 1971. We formed an old 50's band and were somewhat popular among the older officers clubs that grew up in that era.
He was handsome, kind, patient, smart and thoughtful. We had many great moments over German beer and wine.
When we left Germany in the mid 70's we reconnected when he was in CA., and remained close thereafter. We hunted Elk and did many things together. Obviously we were very close. I knew when he did not return my emails that he was coming to the end of his PD.
Thank You to all that he loved and those that took care of him in his last few years.
I would appreciate it if those who read this would contact me at
[email protected] to let me know where Rochelle, his children and his other family members are. We all have a warm history to share.
Dr. Larry Hargreaves, Topeka, KS

I knew Brooks in the mid/late 1970's in Santa Barbara, CA, when he worked at Cottage Hospital and ran the Mt Carmel Church CCD high school youth group with his first wife, Rochelle, out of their home. I often babysat their three endearing, lovable and energetic sons. They were a great family and I looked up to Brooks as a wise and wonderful mentor. Now that PD has touched someone that I hold very dear, I find in Brooks' obituary, so many years after I last saw him in 1978, that our lives hold a common thread. I send my love and support to his entire family at this difficult time. Perhaps this Scandinavian proverb will bring some solace:
"When sorrow comes plant a tree in your heart and soon a little bird will come and sing for you."

Brooks and I were friends during his days with the Overlake Anesthesiology group. He was handsome enough to make the nurses a little giddy, and me a little envious. My condolences to his family.

To Brook's family, I am so sorry to hear about his death. I am a retired Army Nurse who knew him in Wurzburg, Germany. I graduated from Holy Names the year he graduated from Prep and it was such fun to have a friend from home when stationed overseas. We loved his band which played for Hospital events. We had kept in touch thru the years. The last time I saw him was about 5 years ago when a couple of his friends from Prep days and I met him for lunch on Capitol Hill. May he rest in peace and may your memories of him sustain you thru this difficult time. Kathleen Cannon