MSGT Stuart E. Brooks, USAF, Ret, 85, of Arundel, passed away Saturday, April 1, 2023, at his home, following a period of failing health, surrounded by his children.
Stuart was born Jan. 1, 1938, in Baldwin, Maine, the son of Robert Wesley and Evelyn Guptill Brooks, and was raised on the family farm in Freedom, New Hampshire, prior to his family moving to Kennebunkport. He attended a one-room schoolhouse in Kennebunkport and Kennebunk High School before joining the U.S. Air Force.
His first assignment following basic training was to England where he met and married his wife of 52 years, Barbara Sandbach. His 22 years in the military took him to multiple bases within the US, Panama Canal Zone, Vietnam, and UK. During his military service, Stuart was awarded multiple commendations including the Bronze Star and two Meritorious Service Awards. While serving on a remote assignment in Cold Bay, Alaska, he was fortunate to serve as a guide on a bear hunting excursion with Gen. Jimmy Doolittle and Gen. Earle Partridge. After retiring from the USAF in 1977, Stuart drove tankers for the former E.R. Warren Fuels before retiring after 20 years.
He was a long-time member of the Kennebunkport American Legion Post 159. He and Barbara enjoyed traveling in their camper, camping at “Dads Camp” in Freedom, spending the week at Fryeburg Fair every year, dancing on Saturday night and NASCAR. Stuart’s fondness for car racing gave him an opportunity in the early-60s to serve as an official of the Panama Grand Prix. He always made himself available to his friends, neighbors and family who all relied on him for his mechanical expertise and his ability to fix just about anything.
Stuart is predeceased by his parents, the love of his life, Barbara Sandbach Brooks and his sisters, Virginia Brooks and Norma Little.
Survivors include his children, Gary Brooks (Amy) of Kennebunk, Wayne Brooks of Arundel, Virginia Brooks Griffith (Roy) of Kennebunkport, Tina Nichols (Ray) of Auburn, Michael Daniel (Arleen) of McPherson, Kansas, two sisters Lydia Raymond and Susanne McNichols of Kennebunkport, nine grandchildren and four great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews, and an abundance of cousins. In his most recent years, he was blessed to share his love and life with Betty Emmons and her daughters, Laurie and Cindy. The family would also like to thank Dr. Paul Segal for taking exceptional care of our dad.
A graveside service will be held on Saturday, June 10 at 11 a.m. at Lakeview Cemetery, Freedom, New Hampshire, with Military Honors.
Should friends desire, memorial contributions may be made to Kennebunkport American Legion Post 159, 102 Main St., Kennebunkport, ME 04046 To leave a message of condolence, please visit Stuart’s Book of Memories at www.bibberfuneral.com.
Arrangements are entrusted to Bibber Memorial Chapel, 67 Summer St., Kennebunk.
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