Arthur Brooks

Arthur Phillip Brooks, 74, of Oronoco, passed away at St Marys Hospital on June 21, 2018, after suffering a stroke. He is now at peace with his Lord. Art was born on November 11, 1943, to Arthur K. and Jeanne Brooks in Evanston, Illinois, the second of four children. He grew up in Detroit, Michigan, where he discovered his passion for playing hockey. He graduated from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, and subsequently from Syracuse University for a Master's degree. He worked for IBM in Poughkeepsie and Fishkill, New York, coming to IBM Rochester in 1992. He was awarded several patents; his specialty was designing good, consistent user interfaces. He retired in 1997 after a 30 year career. On June 27, 1981, he married Lynne Glassford at her family home in North Lima, Ohio. After retirement, they landscaped their home extensively. Art loved to take care of his place: the large lawn (5 ½ hours to mow!), the perennial and vegetable gardens, and the stocked pond. As he put it, at times the amount of work was overwhelming, but "it was oh so worth it." He enjoyed fishing in his pond, and watching the deer and their fawns, the ducks as they migrated through, and the pair of geese that returned each year and fortunately kept the pond zoned single family. He always looked forward to spending relaxing days fly fishing at Rockwell Springs Trout Club in Ohio. As he would say, the only decisions were which stream, which fly, and when should we eat. He was active in Rochester Area Habitat for Humanity, serving as president for one term and being on the Family Selection committee. He worked especially with two families to get Habitat houses. They became dear friends. He was a mentor and was still very close to his mentee and his entire family. He helped the adults study to take the citizenship test and celebrated with them when they became citizens. He was active at Rochester Covenant Church, serving a term as Personnel Committee chairman and teaching an International Sunday School Class to immigrant adults. Then at New Day Covenant Church he served as treasurer and was a teacher at AWANA. He and Lynne sponsored a girl in Tanzania through Compassion International, and three children in Ethiopia through Children's Hope Chest. Art was such a loving person, caring so much for his wife, his children and grandchildren, and most of all his God. He will be sorely missed by his wife, Lynne; his son, Arthur ll; his daughter Bethany Balch (Michael); three grandchildren, Dylan Brooks, Helena Balch, and Kelsey Balch; a step-grandson David Haass (Sage); and four siblings, Lynne Weliver, Bob, Tom, and Bill. He was preceded in death by his parents. Art has donated his body to Mayo Clinic for research. A memorial service will be held for Art at 11:00 am on Saturday, June 30, 2018 at Rochester Covenant Church, 4950 31st Street NW, Rochester, MN, with Pastor John DuBall officiating. Visitation will be one hour before the service. In lieu of flowers, donations in Art's name can be made to NewDay Covenant Church, Salvation Army of Rochester, Rochester Area Habitat for Humanity, or a charity of the donor's choice.