Rodney Ralph Brooks, age 91, of Gering, NE, passed away on December 9, 2022, at Regional West Medical Center in Scottsbluff, NE. Rodney was born on October 19, 1931, in Valparaiso, IN, to Steven and Nina (Tritsch) Brooks. He attended Houston Business College and Gem City Business College. Rodney served our country as a Staff Sergeant T in the Air Force starting in St Louis Missouri on June 13, 1950, until his Honorable Discharge in Roswell, New Mexico, on December 19, 1953. He was on the 715th Bomb Squadron.
Rod married Delores (Foxhoven) Brooks on January 16, 1971. To this union, Rod was blessed with two sons and two daughters on his wedding day, with an additional daughter born a year later. The family made their home in Westminster and Arvada, CO, until moving to York, NE, in 1981. Following retirement, Rodney and Delores moved to Gering, NE in 1999 to be closer to family.
Until the computer world made it more complicated, Rodney was a master of all things mechanical, and this proved to be a profitable means of living for Rod. Rod’s Motorcycle Center provided him the opportunity to work on, sell, and even learn the financing business for one of his first loves, the “bike”. Rod would spend the majority of his career working for Sundstrand Aviation (1965 – 1993). Beginning at an entry level position and working/learning his way through the company until he would be amongst those designing and overseeing the manufacturing of parts for major aircraft, space shuttles and other top secret aeronautical wonders. And of course, we can’t leave out the journey into being the first Turkey Farmer in York, NE.
Rod had many talents that are too numerous to include in a short statement of his life. When he would take Dee out on the dance floor, people couldn’t help but stop and watch; they were poetry. Put a bowling ball in his hands, and the pins would soon be flying. And there are many that will agree, he probably could have made a living playing cards.
Rodney was hard working, always carrying what people now call a “side gig” in order to provide for the family. Patience knew no limits and he was generous with both his knowledge and his wallet to all those in need. Rod’s quick wit, smile, and love for his family will be missed by all who knew him.
Rod was preceded in death by his parents; father and mother-in-law, Lawrence and Katherine Foxhoven; brother-in-law, Ronald Foxhoven; and special cousin-in-law, Edward Kaysen. Those left to dance without him are his bride, Delores of Gering; children, Norm Johnson of Highlands Ranch; Chris (Steph) Brooks of Denver; Lori (Harley) Henderson of Grand Junction; Dawne (Jeff) Wolfe of Gering; and Rhonda (Airic) McPherson of Byers. Also surviving Rod are 22 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren.
Visitation for family and friends will be at Gering Memorial Chapel from 3 to 6 pm on Thursday, December 15, 2022. The Rosary will be held at 10:30 am with the Funeral Mass following at 11:00 am on Friday, December 16, 2022, at St Agnes Catholic Church in Scottsbluff, NE, with Father Konka officiating. Entombment will take place on Monday, December 19, 2022, at Mt. Olivet, Wheat Ridge, CO. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions to St. Agnes Church or the Legacy of the Plains Museum are suggested. Gering Memorial has been entrusted with the arrangements and online condolences for the Brooks Family may be left at www.geringchapel.com.