1934-2024
Dr. Robert Teryl Brooks, Jr. died on October 25, 2024 at his home in Little Rock AR. He was born in Moncla, LA in the home of his grandparents on February 18,1934, son of the late Lily Moncla Brooks and Robert Teryl Brooks.
Teryl was a loving husband and father; a man of few words, but when he spoke everyone listened. He was known for his competence, generosity and integrity; a man of strong faith believing that Holy Scripture teaches us to love and serve ALL people. He spent his life on that path as physician, naval officer, church elder, community leader, college professor and volunteer medical missionary.
Teryl graduated from high school in Lafayette, LA where he served as editor of the yearbook. As an Eagle Scout he developed a love for the great outdoors.
He attended Tulane University New Orleans, LA, receiving BS and MD degrees. He belonged to Beta Theta Pi undergraduate fraternity and Nu Sigma Nu medical fraternity. It was on the Tulane/Sophie Newcomb campus that he met his future wife, Helen Claire Martin of Pine Bluff AR. They married on August 17, 1957. Recently they celebrated their 67th wedding anniversary.
Following med school graduation in 1968, Teryl began 11 years of service in the US Navy Medical Corps as an intern, Naval Hospital, San Diego CA, 4-year urology resident, Naval Hospital, Bethesda MD, and 5-year tour of duty, Naval Hospital, Portsmouth VA where he was named Chief of Urology.
In 1968 Teryl resigned his commission with the rank of Commander and moved with his wife and 2 children to Pine Bluff, AR where he practiced medicine for 31 years. He served as Chief of Surgery, Chief of Staff, board of directors of Jefferson Regional Medical Center. Other medical affiliations include Vice President Jefferson County Medical Society, President Arkansas Urological Society and clinical instructor in urology UAMS Little Rock.
In community affairs, he served on the boards of directors of National Bank of Commerce (now Bank of America) and the Pine Bluff Chamber of Commerce. For years he was a member of Fifty for the Future of Pine Bluff.
At First Presbyterian Church he served as Sunday school teacher, deacon and elder. He was on the board of the Medical Benevolence Foundation, an affiliate of the Presbyterian Church USA. MBF provides medical equipment, volunteers, and financial support to mission hospitals around the world. In conjunction with MBF, he became a short-term volunteer-in-mission. Over a 20-year period, he traveled to 10 different countries, visiting Haiti and Korea multiple times. At Jesus Hospital, Chungju, Korea, he established a urology residency program. In 1999 and 2000, he served as President of the Medical Benevolence Foundation.
After retiring from medical practice in 1999, he accepted a professorship at Southeast Arkansas College in Pine Bluff. He immensely enjoyed 11 years teaching anatomy and physiology.
In 2014 Teryl and Helen Claire left Pine Bluff and lived 3 years in Conway, AR where he served as elder at First Presbyterian Church. In 2018 they moved to Parkway Village Retirement Complex in Little Rock and joined Second Presbyterian Church.
Survivors include his loving wife; his son, Martin Teryl Brooks; daughter, Katherine Sue Brooks Lawson and husband Chris; three grandchildren, Martin Teryl Brooks Jr., Eugenia Christine Brooks and Steven Brooks Thomason; his sister-in-law, Theresa Brooks; brother-in-law, Rufus Martin Jr.; nieces, Elizabeth Brooks Fox, Diane Brooks Trekell; and nephew, David Louis Brooks.
A graveside service will be Monday, November 4, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. in Bellwood Cemetery, Pine Bluff with Rev. Jeff Price officiating. A Service of Witness to the Resurrection will follow at 2:00 p.m. Second Presbyterian Church Chapel, Little Rock with the Rev. Alisa Secrest officiating. Arrangements by Ralph Robinson and Son Funeral Directors (online register: www.RobinsonFuller.com).
The family suggests that memorials may be sent to Second Presbyterian Church, 600 Pleasant Valley Drive, Little Rock, AR 72227, Trinity Presbyterian Church, 4501 Rahling Rd, Little Rock AR 72223, or Medical Benevolence Foundation, 9555 W. Sam Houston Parkway South, Suite 170, Houston TX 77099.
