College loses 'true, blue Middlebury man' Brooker

Author: Alexxa Gotthardt

Walter E. Brooker '37, vice president and director of development at the Colege from 1962 until his retirement in 1981, died on March 30 at Porter Hospital in Middlebury. He was 88.

As a Middlebury student Brooker was an Economics major and accomplished athlete. After graduation, he served as a Naval Officer in the Pacific during World War II from 1942 until 1946. He went on to hold positions with Liberty Mutual Insurance Company and Curtis Publishing Company until he returned to Middlebury in 1956 to serve as executive assistant to the president.

As assistant, a special emphasis was placed on development, making Brooker the first person in Middlebury's history hired to head a national fundraising effort. In 1962, he was promoted to the office of vice president and director of development - a position which he held under three presidents until his retirement in 1981.

During his tenure, Brooker advised college presidents on finance-related issues, headed countless fundraising efforts and worked ceaselessly to strengthen alumni relations and public affairs. "He had incredible integrity and drive," said Mike Schoenfeld, vice president for College Advancement and close friend of Brooker. "He was absolutely trusted by the presidents and the entire administration." By the end of his 25-year term, his efforts combined to raise over $48 million in gifts and grants for the College.

Brooker's devotion to Middlebury College extended far beyond the duty of fund-raising and development. Seen by many alumni and students as the external face of the College, or "Mr. Middlebury," Brooker promoted the school wherever he went with his sparkling personality and enthusiasm. According to Schoenfeld, Brooker was "a true blue Middlebury man - wonderfully personable, extremely engaging and a great friend and mentor."

Brooker's kindness and vivacity reached into the surrounding community as well. He served on the board of the National Bank of Middlebury, was a trustee of Porter Hospital and the Sheldon Museum, directed the Christian A. Johnson Endeavor Fund based in New York City and was involved in numerous other volunteer organizations.

When Brooker retired in 1981, the Board of Trustees established the Walter E. Brooker '37 and Barbara Carrick Brooker '40 Scholarship Fund in acknowledgment and appreciation of his many years of service at Middlebury. In addition, the College presented honorary doctorates in education to both Brooker and his wife, Bobbie, in 1982. In 1998, one of the newly built Ridgeline houses was named Brooker House in his honor.

Brooker possessed an enduring devotion to Middlebury, constantly demonstrating service, loyalty and, most of all, passion for the College. "Everything he accomplished for the school was a labor of love for him," said Schoenfeld. "He truly cared about the institution and especially its people."

A memorial service will be held later this spring. The family asks that donations be made to the Walter E. Brooker '37 and Barbara Carrick Brooker '40 Scholarship Fund at Middlebury, or to Porter Hospital.