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Action without discussion is dangerous. Discussion without action is futile.
On February 15, 2004 at 8:00 PM Bob Brooks made his final exit, by his own hand, due to failing health. In his own words:
“My death is neither based on courage, nor cowardice. It is the logical conclusion of a rational mind based upon my values and circumstances. This is right for me, but that is my intellect, not my emotions. No, I am not brave, as I have been an emotional wreck all week since everything I do, and see, is for the last time. Cutting my ties to this world is not easy. However, my life belongs to me, not the doctors, preachers, or government, all of whom forbid my action.”
Bob spent his last week saying goodbye to the people closest to him and setting an amazing example of death with dignity.
Bob was born July 17, 1937 and married Lois in 1955. He served three years in the U.S. Army, Corps of Engineers, with a tour of duty in Korea. He graduated ‘with honors’ from Oakland Community College in 1971 and ‘with distinction’ from Wayne State University in 1974 with a B.A. in Psychology, retired from General Motors in 1993 and was a proud life member of American Atheists and Mensa.
Like most Atheists he was a bookworm. He and Lois were world travelers, vacationing in all fifty states and over forty countries on five continents. His hobbies included tutoring with the Oakland Literacy Council, tutoring English as a second language, and opening his home to exchange students from Japan and France. Bob considered himself not only a patriotic citizen of the United States, but also a citizen of the world.
Bob was an official local media spokesperson for Madalyn O’Hair and American Atheists for over twenty years. He appeared in interviews and panel discussions on many TV and radio programs and was published in numerous Southeast Michigan papers and the Wall Street Journal.
For over a quarter of a century Bob spoke about Atheism to college classes, group meetings, Michigan Atheist monthly meetings and state conventions, and entertained us at the Winter Solstice gatherings in his role as auctioneer. His intelligence and insight made every conversation with him worthwhile. Bob was an unflinching, determined, logical, and strong Atheist who spent his life fighting for separation of state and church.
Bob is survived by his wife, Lois; children, Annette Bauman, Vivian Decker; granddaughters, Dawn and Stephanie Hahn; sisters Lillian Savage and Marie Dolmage; and dozens of American Atheists who hold great respect for his activism, ethics and love of life.