John Brooks

1930 - 2025

John Brooks, age 95, died October 11, 2025, at his home in Oshkosh. Born on the 4th of July 1930 in Exeter, NH, to Olive and John W.R. Brooks, John graduated from the University of New Hampshire, served 4 years in the US Air Force, and earned a Ph.D. in English at the University of Pennsylvania. He married Jennet Nordstrom in 1954 in Bridgeport, CT, and in 1965, they settled in Oshkosh and raised a family. Jennet pre-deceased John in December 2018.

A scholar of Renaissance English literature, John served as professor and chair of UW-O's English department and Director of Composition during his 28-year career. Upon retiring in 1992, he was designated Professor Emeritus of English and awarded both a Governor's Special Award and a Certificate of Meritorious Service by the University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents. He later joined the Fox Valley Writers organization and taught Life Stories courses at the Oshkosh Seniors Center.

John was a devoted, loving husband to Jennet and a much loved "Papa" to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. A keen and curious reader, avid trout fisherman and lover of wildlife and the outdoors, John also became a competitive card player in later years. He will be greatly missed by all those who knew him.

Survivors include brother, Tim Brooks of Greenwich, CT; children, Brian (Gordon) of Portland, ME, Lisa (Danny) of Glencoe, IL and Tina (Adam) of Claremont, CA; grandchildren, Joseph (Allison), Linnea (Liam), Trevor (Fiona), Eva (Adam) and Jacob (Emma); and great-grandchildren, Elio, Bernadette and John Theodore.

John's family would like to thank Debbie Borski for her friendship and care as well as Carolyn, Jo and everyone at Senior Stride Home Care. A memorial gathering will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Sierra Club.


Fox Cities Funeral Home
3026 Jackson Street
Oshkosh, WI 54901
(920) 966-9000