Robert S. Brooks

Robert (Bob) S. Brooks, of rural Leon, passed away Wednesday, January 9, 2019 at his home. He was born on January 8, 1949 to Selvia and Dorothy (Irons) Brooks in Grandin, Missouri.

Bob graduated from Bangor High School in 1967. Right out of high school, he enlisted in the Marines and served two tours in Vietnam, being wounded twice and earning a Purple Heart and other medals. He finished his military service in 1971 returning to the Sparta area. Soon after, he lost his leg due to an unfortunate accident. That did not stop him from living a full life.   He worked for the Fort McCoy Post Engineers as a boiler tender for many years, then transferring to an administrative job before retiring from civil service in 2002, after more than 30 years.  He loved to do road trips, stopping by to see his family and friends, bringing gallons of cold A&W root beer, pop, and sometimes even beer.  Bob was a proud member of the Bangor American Legion, Post 40 and Bangor VFW, Post 8278.

Bob loved his family, especially his nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews, as they loved him.  He was a generous soul who always remembered birthdays and Christmas’.  He always said Christmas is for the kids. His friends were very special to him and he had many of them. We will always remember Bob for the great guy he was and he will be missed by many.

Bob is survived by his brothers, Darrell (Inday), of Minneapolis; Dan (Julie), Rockland; Randy (Nancy), Sparta; Jeff, Garrison, MN; Gary Gibbs, Prairie du Chen and a sister, Pam (Carl) Becker of Sparta; and many nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews and one great-great nephew.  He is further survived by aunts, Barbara Mellem of Prairie du Chen; Beverly (Loren) Smiley, of Kewanee and Laura Karczweski, Chicago; foster parents, Stanley and Virginia Hansen, Bangor, and many great friends. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, and an infant sister, Vicki, and many aunts and uncles.

Visitation for Bob will be held on Tuesday, January 15, from 9-11 a.m. at the Lanham-Schanhofer Funeral Home, Sparta, with a brief prayer service at 11 a.m. Burial with full military honors provided by Bangor VFW Post 8278 and Bangor American Legion Post 40 will follow in the Leon Cemetery. Online condolences may be offered to Bob’s family at www.schanhoferfh.com.

The Lanham-Schanhofer Funeral Home, Sparta, is assisting the family with funeral arrangements.

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