Mourning U.S. and British masters officials: Brooks and Whitaker

Harry Brooks

Harry Brooks

Northeast and British masters are mourning the deaths of two key officials who were outstanding athletes in their youth. Harry Brooks of Amherst, Massachusetts, died May 7, a couple weeks after former British Masters Athletics President Keith Whitaker passed away in Britain. Harry was 82 and Keith 84. Harry served for many years on the USATF-NE Board of Governors and was involved in helping organize many masters indoor nationals in Boston. John Oleski recalls that Harry was active as an official — a starter — until 2010 or so. As a high school athlete, Harry ran the mile in the 4:20s. A memorial service is planned the last weekend in May, during Memorial Day Weekend, for Harry and his wife, Paulette, who died July 24, 2014. Details will be on top of Bob Weiner’s page.

Bob recalled Harry as a devoted masters runner until his final three years.

He added: “A best friend. Aggressive guy, but very funny. Tried to pawn off on him my ex-wife and he wouldn’t take her. Likewise he tried to pawn off on me a cat at my door and I delivered it back to him (my wife and I later did have two cats but I was not ready at the time).

“He hosted the SMAC every Sunday for a fun run of 6-10 miles (he ran with it) and cooked amazing brunch at his house after for everyone and loved doing it. Silliest thing he did was host a “marathon” once of a zillion times around the island circle in front of his house of about 100 yards (I forget exact circle distance).

“Then he was willing to be the vehicle for his 50th Birthday “Brooks Chug-a-Mile” on the track as a special event at a meet on his 50th birthday where you had to chug a beer after each of the four laps and then the watch stopped after the last one. Dave Doyle won in sub-5.”

A formal obituary appeared here.

Bridget Cushen of UK reported Keith’s death, which also appeared on the Eurovets site.

British Masters Athletics regret to report the death on 21 April of their former President, Keith Whitaker. He represented British Universities for three years finishing 2nd in the 400m at the World Student Games in Germany in 1953.

Military duty, pursuing his business career and raising his two sons and a daughter kept him away from athletics until reaching the age of 40 when veterans athletics in the early Seventies was growing rapidly. He won the US M40 Masters 400m in San Diego in 1973 running 51.1sec and numerous British, European and World 400m and hurdles medals.

It is as a Delegate at European and WMA General Assemblies however that he will be most remembered for his wisdom and considerable contribution to Masters athletics. He sat on the WMA Law & Legislation Committee for some years. He was a key member of the Organising Committee when Britain hosted the 1999 WMA Track & Field Championships in Gateshead. His 40 years as an Official was recently recognised by UK:Athletics.

Our deepest condolences to the families and friends of both gentlemen. Lives of service well-lived.

Print Friendly

May 19, 2016

2 Responses

  1. Mary Harada - May 20, 2016

    Harry Brooks was one of the most interesting and entertaining people I have had the pleasure of knowing. He was a renaissance man who gave back endlessly to his community. My sympathy to his family on the loss of Harry.

  2. Ken Stone - May 20, 2016

    Another published obituary:
    http://www.gazettenet.com/Longtime-Amherst-official-H-Oldham-Brooks-dies-2023459

Leave a Reply