Sergeant Major (Ret.) Roger E. Brooks
February 26th, 1932 to October 20th, 2016
Day is done, Gone the sun, From the lake, From the hill, From the sky. All is well, Safely rest, God is nigh. ~ From Taps On February 26th, 1932, in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, a baby boy, Roger Edward, was born into the family of Emilie A. (Strassburg) and Edward J. Brooks. Roger would attend Holy Name and Saint Dominic schools and Central High School in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. Following high school, Roger answered the call to serve his country. He enlisted in the United States Army, leaving home to enter into Basic Combat Training in Fort Riley, Kansas in 1950, at the very beginning of the Korean War. As a soldier, Roger's tours of duty were global and included three tours in the Korean War and one in the Vietnam War. His military career took him across the country and the world. In the United States, he was stationed in Fort Riley, Fort Leonard Wood, Indiantown Gap Military Reservation, Fort Devens, Fort Ord, Defense Language Institute, Fort Lewis, and Fort Belvoir. Overseas tours included Frankfurt and Hanau in Germany, as well as Seoul and Pusan in Korea, and Gotemba, Chitose, and Sendai in Japan. Rising rapidly in rank from a Private (E-1) ultimately to Sergeant Major (E-9), he re-enlisted in the Army twice and served 20 years in total. In 1962 he graduated from the 7th Army Non-Commissioned Officer Academy and was awarded the Distinguished Graduate Award, the Distinguished Leadership Award, and the General George S. Patton Award for Excellence the Academy's top three honors. His military honors were numerous, attesting to a military career of distinction. Roger earned the United Nations Korea Service Military Medal, Korean Service Medal, Korean War Service Medal, World War II Army of Occupation Medal (Berlin), Vietnam Service Medal with three Bronze Service Stars, National Defense Service Medal with one Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster, Good Conduct Medal with four Bronze Knots, Army Commendation Medal with two Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters, Purple Heart, and the Bronze Star Medal. Roger served in the 6th (Germany), 7th (Europe), and 8th (South Korea) Armies, in the V Corps, and the 10th Mountain Division, 5th Infantry Division, 24th Infantry Division, 1st Calvary Division, 3rd Armored Division, US Army Engineers School Brigade, and, finally, the 23rd Combat Engineer Battalion under the motto "We Clear the Way." He retired from the US Army, following his service in the Vietnam War, on August 1st, 1970 from Fort Lewis, Washington, and lived his military retirement years in Gig Harbor and Lakewood, Washington. To the end, one of his favorite songs to sing was God Bless America, and no patriotic holiday went without proper acknowledgment and full and enthusiastic participation. The Fourth of July was his favorite way to demonstrate his love of country, and he each year wore the full regalia of red, white, and blue lovingly prepared by his wife Sue. He was a man of great courage and bravery, and he never wavered in his commitment to country, family, and duty. While the first 38 years of his life were defined by the sergeants, lieutenants, and colonels in the Army issuing orders, Roger decided to put his sharpshooter skills to use and targeted a new life for his family. Digging into his roots as a high school shop educator, to his home furniture building in the basement and garages of his homes, construction seemed to be a natural choice. He went to work for Greenbriar Construction as their General Manager. Never one to miss an opportunity, he embarked on his own enterprise, establishing Sunset Construction and Development Company in 1972, which has since incorporated with the new name Sunset Pacific General Contractors, Inc. in 1981, as it remains today. With the steadfast support of his wife and the aloof support of his son, the business survived and grew. The company's employees, over 100's during the years, were deeply touched by him. His relaxed manner and ability to make you love him, even as he insulted you, defined what a great employer he was. He never missed an opportunity to photograph something that captured his eye or stop to try a new burger. His stories were always captivating, and everyone loved a drive with Grandpa. The family was clearly a high priority, and he focused on them. Any ride to the airport included listening to a cow-mooing CD that he thought was hilarious followed by Dean Martin's "That's Amore" all of us singing along. Wherever the family lived, weekends were spent being blue tarp campers, sightseers, gardening, or visiting with friends and relatives. An avid photographer, he passed that gene down to all of us, including grandkids and great-grandkids. Countless hours were spent in front of his computer making family historical photo journals, wedding journals for the grandchildren, and framed photos for his friends and family abroad. Throughout his life, photography, and furniture building were his passions.
Rest in peace my Husband, my Dad, my Grandpa, my Great-Grandpa, my Friend. Roger is survived by his wife Sue Brooks, and his sister Bette Werbeckes and her husband Bill of Chilton, Wisconsin. His children are Kim (Zeke)Trondson, Edward Brooks (Carmen), and Linda Brooks (Douglas) Rix. His grandchildren are Vanessa (Scott) Ryan, Ben Brooks (Erin), McKenzie Brooks (Ray Schartman), Kirsten (Jimmy) Buttrum, and Justin Trondson (Cherie). His great-grandchildren are Ben and Erin Brooks' daughters Sloane and Adrienne, Kirsten and Jimmy Buttrum's children Layla and Trevor, and Justin and Cherie Trondson's children Olivia, Issac, and Joanna. His nieces and nephews include Jill Werbeckes, Carrie Staege and her husband Doug, Mark Werbeckes and his wife Lori, Jean Aden and her husband Arnie, and Dan Werbeckes and his wife Jeanna all from Wisconsin. Roger's committal with full military honors will be at Tahoma National Cemetery on November 2nd at 2:00 PM Pacific time. We welcome all to attend. Tahoma National asks that if you are attending, you arrive by 1:30 PM to allow for the organization of the procession to the committal shelter.
Published by News Tribune (Tacoma) on Oct. 30, 2016.
February 26th, 1932 to October 20th, 2016
Day is done, Gone the sun, From the lake, From the hill, From the sky. All is well, Safely rest, God is nigh. ~ From Taps On February 26th, 1932, in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, a baby boy, Roger Edward, was born into the family of Emilie A. (Strassburg) and Edward J. Brooks. Roger would attend Holy Name and Saint Dominic schools and Central High School in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. Following high school, Roger answered the call to serve his country. He enlisted in the United States Army, leaving home to enter into Basic Combat Training in Fort Riley, Kansas in 1950, at the very beginning of the Korean War. As a soldier, Roger's tours of duty were global and included three tours in the Korean War and one in the Vietnam War. His military career took him across the country and the world. In the United States, he was stationed in Fort Riley, Fort Leonard Wood, Indiantown Gap Military Reservation, Fort Devens, Fort Ord, Defense Language Institute, Fort Lewis, and Fort Belvoir. Overseas tours included Frankfurt and Hanau in Germany, as well as Seoul and Pusan in Korea, and Gotemba, Chitose, and Sendai in Japan. Rising rapidly in rank from a Private (E-1) ultimately to Sergeant Major (E-9), he re-enlisted in the Army twice and served 20 years in total. In 1962 he graduated from the 7th Army Non-Commissioned Officer Academy and was awarded the Distinguished Graduate Award, the Distinguished Leadership Award, and the General George S. Patton Award for Excellence the Academy's top three honors. His military honors were numerous, attesting to a military career of distinction. Roger earned the United Nations Korea Service Military Medal, Korean Service Medal, Korean War Service Medal, World War II Army of Occupation Medal (Berlin), Vietnam Service Medal with three Bronze Service Stars, National Defense Service Medal with one Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster, Good Conduct Medal with four Bronze Knots, Army Commendation Medal with two Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters, Purple Heart, and the Bronze Star Medal. Roger served in the 6th (Germany), 7th (Europe), and 8th (South Korea) Armies, in the V Corps, and the 10th Mountain Division, 5th Infantry Division, 24th Infantry Division, 1st Calvary Division, 3rd Armored Division, US Army Engineers School Brigade, and, finally, the 23rd Combat Engineer Battalion under the motto "We Clear the Way." He retired from the US Army, following his service in the Vietnam War, on August 1st, 1970 from Fort Lewis, Washington, and lived his military retirement years in Gig Harbor and Lakewood, Washington. To the end, one of his favorite songs to sing was God Bless America, and no patriotic holiday went without proper acknowledgment and full and enthusiastic participation. The Fourth of July was his favorite way to demonstrate his love of country, and he each year wore the full regalia of red, white, and blue lovingly prepared by his wife Sue. He was a man of great courage and bravery, and he never wavered in his commitment to country, family, and duty. While the first 38 years of his life were defined by the sergeants, lieutenants, and colonels in the Army issuing orders, Roger decided to put his sharpshooter skills to use and targeted a new life for his family. Digging into his roots as a high school shop educator, to his home furniture building in the basement and garages of his homes, construction seemed to be a natural choice. He went to work for Greenbriar Construction as their General Manager. Never one to miss an opportunity, he embarked on his own enterprise, establishing Sunset Construction and Development Company in 1972, which has since incorporated with the new name Sunset Pacific General Contractors, Inc. in 1981, as it remains today. With the steadfast support of his wife and the aloof support of his son, the business survived and grew. The company's employees, over 100's during the years, were deeply touched by him. His relaxed manner and ability to make you love him, even as he insulted you, defined what a great employer he was. He never missed an opportunity to photograph something that captured his eye or stop to try a new burger. His stories were always captivating, and everyone loved a drive with Grandpa. The family was clearly a high priority, and he focused on them. Any ride to the airport included listening to a cow-mooing CD that he thought was hilarious followed by Dean Martin's "That's Amore" all of us singing along. Wherever the family lived, weekends were spent being blue tarp campers, sightseers, gardening, or visiting with friends and relatives. An avid photographer, he passed that gene down to all of us, including grandkids and great-grandkids. Countless hours were spent in front of his computer making family historical photo journals, wedding journals for the grandchildren, and framed photos for his friends and family abroad. Throughout his life, photography, and furniture building were his passions.
Rest in peace my Husband, my Dad, my Grandpa, my Great-Grandpa, my Friend. Roger is survived by his wife Sue Brooks, and his sister Bette Werbeckes and her husband Bill of Chilton, Wisconsin. His children are Kim (Zeke)Trondson, Edward Brooks (Carmen), and Linda Brooks (Douglas) Rix. His grandchildren are Vanessa (Scott) Ryan, Ben Brooks (Erin), McKenzie Brooks (Ray Schartman), Kirsten (Jimmy) Buttrum, and Justin Trondson (Cherie). His great-grandchildren are Ben and Erin Brooks' daughters Sloane and Adrienne, Kirsten and Jimmy Buttrum's children Layla and Trevor, and Justin and Cherie Trondson's children Olivia, Issac, and Joanna. His nieces and nephews include Jill Werbeckes, Carrie Staege and her husband Doug, Mark Werbeckes and his wife Lori, Jean Aden and her husband Arnie, and Dan Werbeckes and his wife Jeanna all from Wisconsin. Roger's committal with full military honors will be at Tahoma National Cemetery on November 2nd at 2:00 PM Pacific time. We welcome all to attend. Tahoma National asks that if you are attending, you arrive by 1:30 PM to allow for the organization of the procession to the committal shelter.
Published by News Tribune (Tacoma) on Oct. 30, 2016.
Sergeant Major (Ret.) Roger E. Brooks
February 26th, 1932 to October 20th, 2016
Day is done, Gone the sun, From the lake, From the hill, From the sky. All is well, Safely rest, God is nigh. ~ From Taps On February 26th, 1932, in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, a baby boy, Roger Edward, was born into the family of Emilie A. (Strassburg) and Edward J. Brooks. Roger would attend Holy Name and Saint Dominic schools and Central High School in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. Following high school, Roger answered the call to serve his country. He enlisted in the United States Army, leaving home to enter into Basic Combat Training in Fort Riley, Kansas in 1950, at the very beginning of the Korean War. As a soldier, Roger's tours of duty were global and included three tours in the Korean War and one in the Vietnam War. His military career took him across the country and the world. In the United States, he was stationed in Fort Riley, Fort Leonard Wood, Indiantown Gap Military Reservation, Fort Devens, Fort Ord, Defense Language Institute, Fort Lewis, and Fort Belvoir. Overseas tours included Frankfurt and Hanau in Germany, as well as Seoul and Pusan in Korea, and Gotemba, Chitose, and Sendai in Japan. Rising rapidly in rank from a Private (E-1) ultimately to Sergeant Major (E-9), he re-enlisted in the Army twice and served 20 years in total. In 1962 he graduated from the 7th Army Non-Commissioned Officer Academy and was awarded the Distinguished Graduate Award, the Distinguished Leadership Award, and the General George S. Patton Award for Excellence the Academy's top three honors. His military honors were numerous, attesting to a military career of distinction. Roger earned the United Nations Korea Service Military Medal, Korean Service Medal, Korean War Service Medal, World War II Army of Occupation Medal (Berlin), Vietnam Service Medal with three Bronze Service Stars, National Defense Service Medal with one Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster, Good Conduct Medal with four Bronze Knots, Army Commendation Medal with two Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters, Purple Heart, and the Bronze Star Medal. Roger served in the 6th (Germany), 7th (Europe), and 8th (South Korea) Armies, in the V Corps, and the 10th Mountain Division, 5th Infantry Division, 24th Infantry Division, 1st Calvary Division, 3rd Armored Division, US Army Engineers School Brigade, and, finally, the 23rd Combat Engineer Battalion under the motto "We Clear the Way." He retired from the US Army, following his service in the Vietnam War, on August 1st, 1970 from Fort Lewis, Washington, and lived his military retirement years in Gig Harbor and Lakewood, Washington. To the end, one of his favorite songs to sing was God Bless America, and no patriotic holiday went without proper acknowledgment and full and enthusiastic participation. The Fourth of July was his favorite way to demonstrate his love of country, and he each year wore the full regalia of red, white, and blue lovingly prepared by his wife Sue. He was a man of great courage and bravery, and he never wavered in his commitment to country, family, and duty. While the first 38 years of his life were defined by the sergeants, lieutenants, and colonels in the Army issuing orders, Roger decided to put his sharpshooter skills to use and targeted a new life for his family. Digging into his roots as a high school shop educator, to his home furniture building in the basement and garages of his homes, construction seemed to be a natural choice. He went to work for Greenbriar Construction as their General Manager. Never one to miss an opportunity, he embarked on his own enterprise, establishing Sunset Construction and Development Company in 1972, which has since incorporated with the new name Sunset Pacific General Contractors, Inc. in 1981, as it remains today. With the steadfast support of his wife and the aloof support of his son, the business survived and grew. The company's employees, over 100's during the years, were deeply touched by him. His relaxed manner and ability to make you love him, even as he insulted you, defined what a great employer he was. He never missed an opportunity to photograph something that captured his eye or stop to try a new burger. His stories were always captivating, and everyone loved a drive with Grandpa. The family was clearly a high priority, and he focused on them. Any ride to the airport included listening to a cow-mooing CD that he thought was hilarious followed by Dean Martin's "That's Amore" all of us singing along. Wherever the family lived, weekends were spent being blue tarp campers, sightseers, gardening, or visiting with friends and relatives. An avid photographer, he passed that gene down to all of us, including grandkids and great-grandkids. Countless hours were spent in front of his computer making family historical photo journals, wedding journals for the grandchildren, and framed photos for his friends and family abroad. Throughout his life, photography, and furniture building were his passions.
Rest in peace my Husband, my Dad, my Grandpa, my Great-Grandpa, my Friend. Roger is survived by his wife Sue Brooks, and his sister Bette Werbeckes and her husband Bill of Chilton, Wisconsin. His children are Kim (Zeke)Trondson, Edward Brooks (Carmen), and Linda Brooks (Douglas) Rix. His grandchildren are Vanessa (Scott) Ryan, Ben Brooks (Erin), McKenzie Brooks (Ray Schartman), Kirsten (Jimmy) Buttrum, and Justin Trondson (Cherie). His great-grandchildren are Ben and Erin Brooks' daughters Sloane and Adrienne, Kirsten and Jimmy Buttrum's children Layla and Trevor, and Justin and Cherie Trondson's children Olivia, Issac, and Joanna. His nieces and nephews include Jill Werbeckes, Carrie Staege and her husband Doug, Mark Werbeckes and his wife Lori, Jean Aden and her husband Arnie, and Dan Werbeckes and his wife Jeanna all from Wisconsin. Roger's committal with full military honors will be at Tahoma National Cemetery on November 2nd at 2:00 PM Pacific time. We welcome all to attend. Tahoma National asks that if you are attending, you arrive by 1:30 PM to allow for the organization of the procession to the committal shelter.
Published by News Tribune (Tacoma) on Oct. 30, 2016.
February 26th, 1932 to October 20th, 2016
Day is done, Gone the sun, From the lake, From the hill, From the sky. All is well, Safely rest, God is nigh. ~ From Taps On February 26th, 1932, in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, a baby boy, Roger Edward, was born into the family of Emilie A. (Strassburg) and Edward J. Brooks. Roger would attend Holy Name and Saint Dominic schools and Central High School in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. Following high school, Roger answered the call to serve his country. He enlisted in the United States Army, leaving home to enter into Basic Combat Training in Fort Riley, Kansas in 1950, at the very beginning of the Korean War. As a soldier, Roger's tours of duty were global and included three tours in the Korean War and one in the Vietnam War. His military career took him across the country and the world. In the United States, he was stationed in Fort Riley, Fort Leonard Wood, Indiantown Gap Military Reservation, Fort Devens, Fort Ord, Defense Language Institute, Fort Lewis, and Fort Belvoir. Overseas tours included Frankfurt and Hanau in Germany, as well as Seoul and Pusan in Korea, and Gotemba, Chitose, and Sendai in Japan. Rising rapidly in rank from a Private (E-1) ultimately to Sergeant Major (E-9), he re-enlisted in the Army twice and served 20 years in total. In 1962 he graduated from the 7th Army Non-Commissioned Officer Academy and was awarded the Distinguished Graduate Award, the Distinguished Leadership Award, and the General George S. Patton Award for Excellence the Academy's top three honors. His military honors were numerous, attesting to a military career of distinction. Roger earned the United Nations Korea Service Military Medal, Korean Service Medal, Korean War Service Medal, World War II Army of Occupation Medal (Berlin), Vietnam Service Medal with three Bronze Service Stars, National Defense Service Medal with one Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster, Good Conduct Medal with four Bronze Knots, Army Commendation Medal with two Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters, Purple Heart, and the Bronze Star Medal. Roger served in the 6th (Germany), 7th (Europe), and 8th (South Korea) Armies, in the V Corps, and the 10th Mountain Division, 5th Infantry Division, 24th Infantry Division, 1st Calvary Division, 3rd Armored Division, US Army Engineers School Brigade, and, finally, the 23rd Combat Engineer Battalion under the motto "We Clear the Way." He retired from the US Army, following his service in the Vietnam War, on August 1st, 1970 from Fort Lewis, Washington, and lived his military retirement years in Gig Harbor and Lakewood, Washington. To the end, one of his favorite songs to sing was God Bless America, and no patriotic holiday went without proper acknowledgment and full and enthusiastic participation. The Fourth of July was his favorite way to demonstrate his love of country, and he each year wore the full regalia of red, white, and blue lovingly prepared by his wife Sue. He was a man of great courage and bravery, and he never wavered in his commitment to country, family, and duty. While the first 38 years of his life were defined by the sergeants, lieutenants, and colonels in the Army issuing orders, Roger decided to put his sharpshooter skills to use and targeted a new life for his family. Digging into his roots as a high school shop educator, to his home furniture building in the basement and garages of his homes, construction seemed to be a natural choice. He went to work for Greenbriar Construction as their General Manager. Never one to miss an opportunity, he embarked on his own enterprise, establishing Sunset Construction and Development Company in 1972, which has since incorporated with the new name Sunset Pacific General Contractors, Inc. in 1981, as it remains today. With the steadfast support of his wife and the aloof support of his son, the business survived and grew. The company's employees, over 100's during the years, were deeply touched by him. His relaxed manner and ability to make you love him, even as he insulted you, defined what a great employer he was. He never missed an opportunity to photograph something that captured his eye or stop to try a new burger. His stories were always captivating, and everyone loved a drive with Grandpa. The family was clearly a high priority, and he focused on them. Any ride to the airport included listening to a cow-mooing CD that he thought was hilarious followed by Dean Martin's "That's Amore" all of us singing along. Wherever the family lived, weekends were spent being blue tarp campers, sightseers, gardening, or visiting with friends and relatives. An avid photographer, he passed that gene down to all of us, including grandkids and great-grandkids. Countless hours were spent in front of his computer making family historical photo journals, wedding journals for the grandchildren, and framed photos for his friends and family abroad. Throughout his life, photography, and furniture building were his passions.
Rest in peace my Husband, my Dad, my Grandpa, my Great-Grandpa, my Friend. Roger is survived by his wife Sue Brooks, and his sister Bette Werbeckes and her husband Bill of Chilton, Wisconsin. His children are Kim (Zeke)Trondson, Edward Brooks (Carmen), and Linda Brooks (Douglas) Rix. His grandchildren are Vanessa (Scott) Ryan, Ben Brooks (Erin), McKenzie Brooks (Ray Schartman), Kirsten (Jimmy) Buttrum, and Justin Trondson (Cherie). His great-grandchildren are Ben and Erin Brooks' daughters Sloane and Adrienne, Kirsten and Jimmy Buttrum's children Layla and Trevor, and Justin and Cherie Trondson's children Olivia, Issac, and Joanna. His nieces and nephews include Jill Werbeckes, Carrie Staege and her husband Doug, Mark Werbeckes and his wife Lori, Jean Aden and her husband Arnie, and Dan Werbeckes and his wife Jeanna all from Wisconsin. Roger's committal with full military honors will be at Tahoma National Cemetery on November 2nd at 2:00 PM Pacific time. We welcome all to attend. Tahoma National asks that if you are attending, you arrive by 1:30 PM to allow for the organization of the procession to the committal shelter.
Published by News Tribune (Tacoma) on Oct. 30, 2016.
Inscription
SGM US ARMY
KOREA, VIETNAM
BRONZE STAR MEDAL
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Explore more
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
