Walter Wally Brooks of Colorado Springs passed away March 28, 2011, in Greenwood Village. He was 89. Rabbi Don Levy officiated at the March 30 service at Sons of Israel/Evergreen Cemetery in the Springs.
A memorial service and reception was held at Temple Beit Torah following the interment. Feldman Mortuary made the arrangements.
Mr. Brooks was born Oct. 4, 1921, in Passaic, NJ, to the late Rose and Louis Schoenbrun, immigrants from Hungary.
He built his first home when he was 17 and went on to develop a homebuilding company in Colorado Springs that constructed more than 600 homes in the area.
During WW II, Mr. Brooks was a captain in the Air Force.
While stationed in Pueblo, he met his future bride Harriet Goodman. They were married for 62 years, residing in New York, Pueblo and Colorado Springs.
Mr. Brooks was active in many civic groups including Kiwanis International and served as Pikes Peak Club president and lieutenant governor of the Rocky Mountain Region. He was twice honored as a George Hixson International Fellow.
He was vice president of Temple Shalom and president of Civic Theater.
Mr. Brooks, a graduate of The Colorado College, and his wife were founders of the Friends of Tutt Library and founding board members of the Southwest studies program.
At UCCS, he established the Walter and Harriet Brooks Scholarship Foundation. He also served on the board of directors at the Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce.
Mr. Brooks is survived by his wife Harriet Brooks; children Mark (Terry Samuel) Brooks and Judy (Lee) Frank; and grandchildren Asher Frank and Aaron and Estee Brooks.
Contributions may be made to Alzheimers Association or the charity of choice.
Copyright © 2011 by the Intermountain Jewish News
