Robert John Brooks

Mr. Robert John Brooks passed away Monday, August 2nd, 2022 after a brief illness. He was born in Lewistown, Montana Friday, January 3, 1936, the only child of John H. and Kathryn E. (Snook) Brooks. He was raised in Lewistown and graduated from Fergus County High School. Bob was always active. He was an Eagle Scout, played and lettered in football all four years, played clarinet in the band, sang in the Choralaires, was a delegate to Boys State and held honors in De Molay and worked many jobs to pay for higher education. He then attended Montana State College (later renamed Montana State University), where he participated in ROTC and graduated from the University of Montana in 1958 with a degree in history and political science. He earned his law degree from the University of Montana School of Law in 1962. Bob married Blanche (Snead) on June 6, 1959 and started a 63 year long grand adventure. Bob began his legal career as the Powder River County Attorney in 1963. While in Broadus, in addition to raising children, Bob was a member of the volunteer fire department, served as mayor, was an active member of Powder River Masonic Lodge 135, worked countless volunteer hours for the Powder River County Library while being active in Montana County Attorney Association, the Board of Crime, started the first State of Montana Drug task force and served the State Bar in many capacities. In 1984, Bob was appointed to the U.S Attorney’s Office by Pete Dunbar. Bob and Blanche moved to Butte where he served as an Assistant US Attorney, retiring in 1998. The wealth of matters in which he was involved remains amazing. While in Butte, Bob served Butte Public Housing Authority, the Butte Exchange Club, the Montana Association of the Blind, the Butte Ronald McDonald House, and St. John’s Episcopal Church. Many will know and miss Bob as a regular at Gamer’s with a quick wit, always a joke and an avid interest in current events and history. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Blanche Brooks of Butte, sons and daughter-in-law, Paul Brooks of Sundance, Wyoming and David and Jill Brooks of Aurora, Colorado, daughter and son-in-law, Susan and Brett Swimley of Bozeman, grandchildren: Matthew Brooks, Michael and Stephanie Brooks, Lauryn Brooks, Kimberly and Alex Dean, Robert Brooks and his fiancée’, Olivia Fiandaco, Kurt Swimley, Rachael Swimley and Ryan Swimley. Also surviving are 7 great-grandchildren, his cousin, Ralph A. Brooks of Vancouver, Washington, his sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Beverly and Bud Edstrom and numerous nieces and nephews. Cremation has taken place. Funeral liturgy will be conducted Thursday, August 11th at 11 am in St. John Episcopal Church with Pastor Theresa Kelley officiating. Entombment will follow in the columbarium at church.

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Robert John Brooks

January 3, 1936 - August 2, 2022