Robert E. Brooks, 81, a prominent farmer and rancher, died Monday, March 16, 2009, from complications of Lou Gehrig's disease in Great Falls, MT, surrounded by his family. 

Bob was born September 30, 1927, in a stone farm house near Glenburn, ND to James and Goldie Brooks.  He graduated from Glenburn High School where he excelled in basketball and played trombone in the school band.  He was also a member of the Glenburn Baptist Church.  With the support of their parents, Bob and his brother Loren purchased their first Hereford heifers in 1943, starting a lifelong commitment to the breed.  From that small beginning, their registered hereford herd expanded.  They showed their cattle at livestock shows across the country including the National Western Stock Show in Denver.  In 1950, with the cooperation of their parents, another ranch was purchased near Burlington. On December 11, 1958, Bob married Alexzine Grenz.  They made their home on the Burlington ranch, where they raised their three girls.  Bob loved the ranch life, enjoyed teaching his girls to ride horse and work cattle.  Brooks Ranch had their first production sale in 1958, and 55 sales followed.  Some of these sales were listed in the top ten sales by the American Hereford Association.  The Brooks brothers were among some of the first breeders to begin performance testing on their herd.  A second ranch was purchased near Hardin, MT in 1975, which his brother and family operated.  Bob continued to operate the Brooks Ranch near Glenburn where he enjoyed farming and ranching with his daughter Candy. 

Bob was instrumental in getting his grandchildren interested in livestock, and enjoyed helping them select their 4-H steers and watching them show.  Bob was a member of the ND Stockmen's Association for 56 years, and was an active member of the North Dakota Hereford Association where he served as director and president.  He also served as a trustee in the North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame, and was a member of Immanuel Baptist Church. 

Bob lovingly cared for his wife Alexzine for many years after she was diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease.  He stayed by her side as she battled the disease and cared for her at home until she passed away on November 3, 2008. Bob walked softly around his herd of cows.  He would carry a baby calf on his saddle, coaxing a cow to come and find shelter in the barn.  He was a humble man who loved his family dearly.  His children and grandchildren loved to hear him sing and whistle his large repertoire of songs.  He was a true and honest cowboy, loved and respected by his family and everyone around him.   

Bob's family includes his daughters Lisa (Troy) Lindquist of Great Falls, Candy (Duane Tofteland) Brooks of rural Minot, and Becky (Ron) Nelson of Great Falls, his brother Loren (Janet) Brooks, Hardin, MT and his four grandchildren, Kelsey, Brooks, Connor, and Allie.  

Bob was preceded in death by his wife and parents. 

Celebration of Life service: Saturday, March 21, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. in Immanuel Baptist Church, Minot.
Interment: Sunset Memorial Gardens, Minot
Visitation: At the request of the family, there will be no reviewal or visitation.
Memorials are suggested to the ALS Association, Peace Hospice of Great Falls, and the North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame.

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