Dr. Ralph King Brooks died
peacefully at his Annapolis home on
Friday, July 1, 2011 at the age of 94,
with family at his side.
He is survived by his daughters,
Charlotte Lindsley of Annapolis and
Victoria Tyson of Laurel, Md., sonin-
law Keith Tyson, grandson
Spencer Tyson and granddaughter
Lucia Tyson. He was preceded in
death by his loving wife, the former
Virginia Cook of Kalispell, Montana
and son Randall King Brooks of San
Francisco, Calf.
Dr. Brooks was born on April 4,
1917 in Moorefield, W.Va. and spent
a happy childhood with his parents,
Dr. and Mrs. O.V. Brooks and older
brother Wayne. Since the age of 10
years, his father would often get him
up in the middle of the night, to saddle
the horses or start the model T, to
accompany him up the mountains to
assist him with care of patients to include
anything from delivering a baby
to attending shot gun trauma. He
saw it all, but dreamt of the sea. He
graduated from Moorefield High
School, the University of West Virginia
and the University of Maryland
Medical School in 1943. He was commissioned
a LTJG in the Navy Medical
Corps and sent to the Atlantic
fleet as Division Medical Officer, Escort
Division 79. In his role as ship's
doctor the patients were well attended
as were the others, when he was
sent over by the "line" to different
ships. His DE captured the U234
during the closing days of war and he
alone spoke to the dying Germans in
their language. Retiring as Captain,
Dr. Brooks honorably served his
country for more than 30 years, assigned
to many duty stations from
Hawaii to England. He served in
WWII, Korea, and Viet Nam. His
last duty station was Force Medical
Officer COMSERVLANT Norfolk,
Va. where he earned the Meritorious
Service Medal to add to the many
awards he earned during his career.
He practiced OB-GYN for 20 years,
as Chief of Clinic, before opting to
attend the Naval War College, where
he was president of his class. His dissertation
detailed the need for the
USN/Armed Forces to set up their
own medical school which soon came
to pass. He then was assigned as
Chief Medical Officer, in-shore, in
Viet Nam. Never one to stay in the
office, he stretched the limits accompanying
flights to search and rescue
at great peril. He always worked hard
to connect with the local populations
and history wherever stationed. After
retiring from the Navy he joined the
Civil Service and was assigned as
Chief of Occupational and Environmental
Medicine, at the United
States Naval Academy for 15 years.
He delivered thousands of babies,
but saved many more lives in his extended
outreach and exemplary service.
When Hurricane Betsy came
through New Orleans in 1966, he ran
the medical services for "refugees"
seeking shelter, he developed life
saving protocols in Obstetrics and
was often the doctor off duty rescuing
the afflicted.
Memberships included Kappa Alpha
Order, Nu sigma Nu (medical),
Medical Chirurgical Faculty of Maryland,
Baltimore City Medical Association,
American Medical Association,
American College of Obstetrics
and Gynecology; Diplomate American
Board of OB/GYN, American
College of Environmental Medicine,
Royal Society of Medicine, University
of Maryland School of Medicine
and Alumni Association, University
of West Virginia Alumni Association,
U S Naval Institute and the Navy
League.
First and foremost he loved his
family and friends, committed to totally
supporting and teaching them
all that he knew and enjoyed. His was
passionate about the sea and sailed
for 60 years teaching the craft to
everyone he could. He loved music,
which was always present wherever
he was.
He was an avid traveler, reader
and writer of history, published in
journals for the US Navy, Sailing and
History, and inspiring many generations
to share this spirit. He quoted
poetry to all of us and could answer
questions about anything.
His sense of adventure and love
of life led many to follow him forever
and a day. He loved the Navy and became
involved in every aspect available
to him.
He was a husband, father, friend,
mentor, teacher, raconteur sailor,
lover of dogs and provider of an endless
sense of joy to all.
He was truly a man for all seasons;
a life well lived.
Funeral services will be held at
the United States Naval Academy,
main chapel, on Monday July 18 at
10:00. Please enter through gate #8.
Burial will be at Arlington National
Cemetery at a later date.
Moorefield Examiner/July 2011
peacefully at his Annapolis home on
Friday, July 1, 2011 at the age of 94,
with family at his side.
He is survived by his daughters,
Charlotte Lindsley of Annapolis and
Victoria Tyson of Laurel, Md., sonin-
law Keith Tyson, grandson
Spencer Tyson and granddaughter
Lucia Tyson. He was preceded in
death by his loving wife, the former
Virginia Cook of Kalispell, Montana
and son Randall King Brooks of San
Francisco, Calf.
Dr. Brooks was born on April 4,
1917 in Moorefield, W.Va. and spent
a happy childhood with his parents,
Dr. and Mrs. O.V. Brooks and older
brother Wayne. Since the age of 10
years, his father would often get him
up in the middle of the night, to saddle
the horses or start the model T, to
accompany him up the mountains to
assist him with care of patients to include
anything from delivering a baby
to attending shot gun trauma. He
saw it all, but dreamt of the sea. He
graduated from Moorefield High
School, the University of West Virginia
and the University of Maryland
Medical School in 1943. He was commissioned
a LTJG in the Navy Medical
Corps and sent to the Atlantic
fleet as Division Medical Officer, Escort
Division 79. In his role as ship's
doctor the patients were well attended
as were the others, when he was
sent over by the "line" to different
ships. His DE captured the U234
during the closing days of war and he
alone spoke to the dying Germans in
their language. Retiring as Captain,
Dr. Brooks honorably served his
country for more than 30 years, assigned
to many duty stations from
Hawaii to England. He served in
WWII, Korea, and Viet Nam. His
last duty station was Force Medical
Officer COMSERVLANT Norfolk,
Va. where he earned the Meritorious
Service Medal to add to the many
awards he earned during his career.
He practiced OB-GYN for 20 years,
as Chief of Clinic, before opting to
attend the Naval War College, where
he was president of his class. His dissertation
detailed the need for the
USN/Armed Forces to set up their
own medical school which soon came
to pass. He then was assigned as
Chief Medical Officer, in-shore, in
Viet Nam. Never one to stay in the
office, he stretched the limits accompanying
flights to search and rescue
at great peril. He always worked hard
to connect with the local populations
and history wherever stationed. After
retiring from the Navy he joined the
Civil Service and was assigned as
Chief of Occupational and Environmental
Medicine, at the United
States Naval Academy for 15 years.
He delivered thousands of babies,
but saved many more lives in his extended
outreach and exemplary service.
When Hurricane Betsy came
through New Orleans in 1966, he ran
the medical services for "refugees"
seeking shelter, he developed life
saving protocols in Obstetrics and
was often the doctor off duty rescuing
the afflicted.
Memberships included Kappa Alpha
Order, Nu sigma Nu (medical),
Medical Chirurgical Faculty of Maryland,
Baltimore City Medical Association,
American Medical Association,
American College of Obstetrics
and Gynecology; Diplomate American
Board of OB/GYN, American
College of Environmental Medicine,
Royal Society of Medicine, University
of Maryland School of Medicine
and Alumni Association, University
of West Virginia Alumni Association,
U S Naval Institute and the Navy
League.
First and foremost he loved his
family and friends, committed to totally
supporting and teaching them
all that he knew and enjoyed. His was
passionate about the sea and sailed
for 60 years teaching the craft to
everyone he could. He loved music,
which was always present wherever
he was.
He was an avid traveler, reader
and writer of history, published in
journals for the US Navy, Sailing and
History, and inspiring many generations
to share this spirit. He quoted
poetry to all of us and could answer
questions about anything.
His sense of adventure and love
of life led many to follow him forever
and a day. He loved the Navy and became
involved in every aspect available
to him.
He was a husband, father, friend,
mentor, teacher, raconteur sailor,
lover of dogs and provider of an endless
sense of joy to all.
He was truly a man for all seasons;
a life well lived.
Funeral services will be held at
the United States Naval Academy,
main chapel, on Monday July 18 at
10:00. Please enter through gate #8.
Burial will be at Arlington National
Cemetery at a later date.
Moorefield Examiner/July 2011
Dr. Ralph King Brooks died
peacefully at his Annapolis home on
Friday, July 1, 2011 at the age of 94,
with family at his side.
He is survived by his daughters,
Charlotte Lindsley of Annapolis and
Victoria Tyson of Laurel, Md., sonin-
law Keith Tyson, grandson
Spencer Tyson and granddaughter
Lucia Tyson. He was preceded in
death by his loving wife, the former
Virginia Cook of Kalispell, Montana
and son Randall King Brooks of San
Francisco, Calf.
Dr. Brooks was born on April 4,
1917 in Moorefield, W.Va. and spent
a happy childhood with his parents,
Dr. and Mrs. O.V. Brooks and older
brother Wayne. Since the age of 10
years, his father would often get him
up in the middle of the night, to saddle
the horses or start the model T, to
accompany him up the mountains to
assist him with care of patients to include
anything from delivering a baby
to attending shot gun trauma. He
saw it all, but dreamt of the sea. He
graduated from Moorefield High
School, the University of West Virginia
and the University of Maryland
Medical School in 1943. He was commissioned
a LTJG in the Navy Medical
Corps and sent to the Atlantic
fleet as Division Medical Officer, Escort
Division 79. In his role as ship's
doctor the patients were well attended
as were the others, when he was
sent over by the "line" to different
ships. His DE captured the U234
during the closing days of war and he
alone spoke to the dying Germans in
their language. Retiring as Captain,
Dr. Brooks honorably served his
country for more than 30 years, assigned
to many duty stations from
Hawaii to England. He served in
WWII, Korea, and Viet Nam. His
last duty station was Force Medical
Officer COMSERVLANT Norfolk,
Va. where he earned the Meritorious
Service Medal to add to the many
awards he earned during his career.
He practiced OB-GYN for 20 years,
as Chief of Clinic, before opting to
attend the Naval War College, where
he was president of his class. His dissertation
detailed the need for the
USN/Armed Forces to set up their
own medical school which soon came
to pass. He then was assigned as
Chief Medical Officer, in-shore, in
Viet Nam. Never one to stay in the
office, he stretched the limits accompanying
flights to search and rescue
at great peril. He always worked hard
to connect with the local populations
and history wherever stationed. After
retiring from the Navy he joined the
Civil Service and was assigned as
Chief of Occupational and Environmental
Medicine, at the United
States Naval Academy for 15 years.
He delivered thousands of babies,
but saved many more lives in his extended
outreach and exemplary service.
When Hurricane Betsy came
through New Orleans in 1966, he ran
the medical services for "refugees"
seeking shelter, he developed life
saving protocols in Obstetrics and
was often the doctor off duty rescuing
the afflicted.
Memberships included Kappa Alpha
Order, Nu sigma Nu (medical),
Medical Chirurgical Faculty of Maryland,
Baltimore City Medical Association,
American Medical Association,
American College of Obstetrics
and Gynecology; Diplomate American
Board of OB/GYN, American
College of Environmental Medicine,
Royal Society of Medicine, University
of Maryland School of Medicine
and Alumni Association, University
of West Virginia Alumni Association,
U S Naval Institute and the Navy
League.
First and foremost he loved his
family and friends, committed to totally
supporting and teaching them
all that he knew and enjoyed. His was
passionate about the sea and sailed
for 60 years teaching the craft to
everyone he could. He loved music,
which was always present wherever
he was.
He was an avid traveler, reader
and writer of history, published in
journals for the US Navy, Sailing and
History, and inspiring many generations
to share this spirit. He quoted
poetry to all of us and could answer
questions about anything.
His sense of adventure and love
of life led many to follow him forever
and a day. He loved the Navy and became
involved in every aspect available
to him.
He was a husband, father, friend,
mentor, teacher, raconteur sailor,
lover of dogs and provider of an endless
sense of joy to all.
He was truly a man for all seasons;
a life well lived.
Funeral services will be held at
the United States Naval Academy,
main chapel, on Monday July 18 at
10:00. Please enter through gate #8.
Burial will be at Arlington National
Cemetery at a later date.
Moorefield Examiner/July 2011
peacefully at his Annapolis home on
Friday, July 1, 2011 at the age of 94,
with family at his side.
He is survived by his daughters,
Charlotte Lindsley of Annapolis and
Victoria Tyson of Laurel, Md., sonin-
law Keith Tyson, grandson
Spencer Tyson and granddaughter
Lucia Tyson. He was preceded in
death by his loving wife, the former
Virginia Cook of Kalispell, Montana
and son Randall King Brooks of San
Francisco, Calf.
Dr. Brooks was born on April 4,
1917 in Moorefield, W.Va. and spent
a happy childhood with his parents,
Dr. and Mrs. O.V. Brooks and older
brother Wayne. Since the age of 10
years, his father would often get him
up in the middle of the night, to saddle
the horses or start the model T, to
accompany him up the mountains to
assist him with care of patients to include
anything from delivering a baby
to attending shot gun trauma. He
saw it all, but dreamt of the sea. He
graduated from Moorefield High
School, the University of West Virginia
and the University of Maryland
Medical School in 1943. He was commissioned
a LTJG in the Navy Medical
Corps and sent to the Atlantic
fleet as Division Medical Officer, Escort
Division 79. In his role as ship's
doctor the patients were well attended
as were the others, when he was
sent over by the "line" to different
ships. His DE captured the U234
during the closing days of war and he
alone spoke to the dying Germans in
their language. Retiring as Captain,
Dr. Brooks honorably served his
country for more than 30 years, assigned
to many duty stations from
Hawaii to England. He served in
WWII, Korea, and Viet Nam. His
last duty station was Force Medical
Officer COMSERVLANT Norfolk,
Va. where he earned the Meritorious
Service Medal to add to the many
awards he earned during his career.
He practiced OB-GYN for 20 years,
as Chief of Clinic, before opting to
attend the Naval War College, where
he was president of his class. His dissertation
detailed the need for the
USN/Armed Forces to set up their
own medical school which soon came
to pass. He then was assigned as
Chief Medical Officer, in-shore, in
Viet Nam. Never one to stay in the
office, he stretched the limits accompanying
flights to search and rescue
at great peril. He always worked hard
to connect with the local populations
and history wherever stationed. After
retiring from the Navy he joined the
Civil Service and was assigned as
Chief of Occupational and Environmental
Medicine, at the United
States Naval Academy for 15 years.
He delivered thousands of babies,
but saved many more lives in his extended
outreach and exemplary service.
When Hurricane Betsy came
through New Orleans in 1966, he ran
the medical services for "refugees"
seeking shelter, he developed life
saving protocols in Obstetrics and
was often the doctor off duty rescuing
the afflicted.
Memberships included Kappa Alpha
Order, Nu sigma Nu (medical),
Medical Chirurgical Faculty of Maryland,
Baltimore City Medical Association,
American Medical Association,
American College of Obstetrics
and Gynecology; Diplomate American
Board of OB/GYN, American
College of Environmental Medicine,
Royal Society of Medicine, University
of Maryland School of Medicine
and Alumni Association, University
of West Virginia Alumni Association,
U S Naval Institute and the Navy
League.
First and foremost he loved his
family and friends, committed to totally
supporting and teaching them
all that he knew and enjoyed. His was
passionate about the sea and sailed
for 60 years teaching the craft to
everyone he could. He loved music,
which was always present wherever
he was.
He was an avid traveler, reader
and writer of history, published in
journals for the US Navy, Sailing and
History, and inspiring many generations
to share this spirit. He quoted
poetry to all of us and could answer
questions about anything.
His sense of adventure and love
of life led many to follow him forever
and a day. He loved the Navy and became
involved in every aspect available
to him.
He was a husband, father, friend,
mentor, teacher, raconteur sailor,
lover of dogs and provider of an endless
sense of joy to all.
He was truly a man for all seasons;
a life well lived.
Funeral services will be held at
the United States Naval Academy,
main chapel, on Monday July 18 at
10:00. Please enter through gate #8.
Burial will be at Arlington National
Cemetery at a later date.
Moorefield Examiner/July 2011
Family Members
Siblings
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Advertisement
