Robert E. Brooks

Bob Brooks, 88, died Thursday April 9, 2009 at Albemarle Hospital in Elizabeth City, NC. He was a native of Greensboro and a 1948 graduate of Wake Forest. He served in World War II as a member of the U.S. Army Air Corp stationed at Borinquen Air Base in Puerto Rico where he participated in numerous “hump flying” air cargo flights to troops in China. While at Wake Forest, he played basketball, baseball and was the manager/trainer under football coach Douglas Clyde “Peahead” Walker. During his time there he also coached the Wake Forest High School Basketball team. He was the first graduate of the Department of Physical Education at Wake Forest and in later years he completed his Masters Degree in Education from East Carolina. From 1948 to 1982 he served as teacher, coach and administrator at Elizabeth City High School and later Northeastern High School. His coaching career highlights included a 1957 State Football Championship team and five conference championships. His tenure as basketball coach included two conference championships and he was later named East-West All Star coach in 1964. As golf and tennis coach he added two additional conference and state championships. He also served as administrator of the Physical Education Department for the Elizabeth City/Pasquotank school system and spearheaded fundraising and construction of the Northeastern High School Athletic complex until his retirement in 1982. He served on many boards including Pine Lakes Country Club, Elizabeth City Jaycees, Parks and Recreation and the First United Methodist Church all of which he made significant contributions. Coach Brooks was also a writer. For many years he wrote a column “Lookin at Sports” in the local newspaper covering the sporting events of the week. Some years ago he wrote a book about his 1957 State Championship team: You Can Love Yellow Jackets. Recent honors for Coach Brooks include his 2003 George Whitfield award for his contribution to high school athletics and in 2008, he was inducted into the North Carolina High School Athletic Association Hall of Fame. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Jean Brooks of Elizabeth City; two daughters, Debbie Smith and husband, Barry of Steamboat Springs, CO and Martha Richardson and husband, Bill of Raleigh; one son, Brad Brooks and wife, Margaret of Greenville, NC; sister, Sue Davis of Washington, DC. Mr. Brooks is also survived by eight grandchildren, Brooke, Marty, Leigh Ann, Charlie, Liz, Bo, Rob and Abbe. He was predeceased in death by his parents, Albert Brooks and Edna Brooks, two brothers, Charles and Terrell Brooks, one sister, Isabel Greeson. Memorial service will be held on Monday, April 13, 2009, at 11:00 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church, Elizabeth City, NC by Rev. Mike Frese. The family will receive friends on Sunday afternoon, April 12, 2009 at Twiford Funeral Home, Church St., from 4:00-6:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to First United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 401, Elizabeth City, NC 27907. Twiford Funeral Home, 405 East Church Street, Elizabeth City, NC is assisting the Brooks family. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.twiford.com