Phil, you left us far too soon Dear Friend! I’ll never forget when I first met you at Fort Sheridan! Your huge smile, laugh, and personality are ones no one can forget! They were infectious. That first meeting was the first of a long history of adventures! Some of the funniest adventures of my life. You gave me the opportunity to coach and work with the youth in Herndon. Something I loved and had not done since I was in college. Thank you for those great memories. The one memory only you and I share and was always a secret code between use! I chuckle every time I think of it. I’ll keep it private as some would misinterpret! That was just one of so many funny and lasting memories. You were always a true friend and I’m sorry we didn’t get to spend more time together after I retired. I always enjoyed your company and your stories. You are the great entertainer! I know you’re entertaing right now in heaven! It’s just who you are! I will miss you dearly old Friend. Mike

Condolences to the Brooks family. Phil is a wonderful brother and I really enjoyed his presence and wit.

Here is one of many occasions where Phil organized a charitable event, in this case supporting children at a local hospital by donating stuffed bears.

Phil put everyone in good spirits at Catoctin Creek bottling events.

Phil loved to visit Williamsburg Lodge No. 6 for St. John's Day to march with the lodge under escort of fifes and drums down the Duke of Gloucester Street.

Phil may have gone on down the trail ahead of us, but we are all traveling on the same path and will meet him again at the stables above.

A fan of Teddy Roosevelt, here is our favorite "Rough Rider" on his not-so-trusty steed that Phil could not keep from departing the trail to eat a snack. Our guide remembered Phil from a previous tour because, by coincidence, he wore the exact same shirt, and he tended to slide in his saddle when he rode. She nicknamed him "Lefty" as a result.

One of the happiest days of my life. Less than two years ago Phil joined us to tour the battlefields of Gettysburg on horseback. Spending the day with this dear friend, mentor and brother was sublime. I love you and miss you brother.

Phil always had certain looks he would give you. I think I captured one of them here. Maybe you have seen it too?

I am really struggling writing this. I started several times and had to walk away. This is hard for me. Phil was such a special person. I knew him for over 20 years and am still trying to understand everything that happened. Phil enjoyed mentoring people, teaching young masons and sharing the knowledge about stuff we do. He was a person with great charisma who created following and uptick in membership in every lodge he joined. He was really unique - a very simple and a super complex guy but he genuinely cared for people and was always willing to jump in and help no matter what the situation was. He was always ready for a joke/prank and he worked really hard on improving and fixing everything he got involved with. 
I was proud to be his friend and brother.
He loved his family - and he somehow managed to get all of us to be better. He had a habit of investing  all that he was into everything he did. He enjoyed connecting people and solving variety of situations. 
To Jennifer and family; I know it is super hard for you all, but we all are here for you; and while we cannot replace him, we can keep sharing what he ment to all of us and keep him in our hearts.

Phil and I spent countless hours on the phone, often deep in conversation about human behaviour, philosophy, and why people do what they do. As a Freemason he believed you had to answer to a higher being; as an atheist-agnostic I did not, and yet we always landed in the same place on what actually matters: treating people with dignity and respect, and trying to do the right thing even when the large organisations around us made that hard. He was gentle and kind, and one of the very few people whose feedback on my writing I genuinely trusted.

We never managed to meet in person, something I will always regret, but the friendship was real all the same, broken "Dutch Lemonade" and all. I wrote a short piece in his memory on my blog, for anyone who would like to know a little more about the Phil I was lucky enough to know:

https://blog.egginks.org/in-memoriam-phil-brooks/

With love to Jennifer, Benjamin, Emily, and the whole family.

Herman Eggink

Jennifer, Benjamin, Emily, and the entire Brooks family —

I am so sorry for your loss. Phil was a man my whole family respected and genuinely enjoyed being around. My boys especially lit up in his company; he had a way of talking with them that made them feel seen and valued, and that is something they will carry with them.

My one regret is that I did not have more time to learn from him. Phil was generous with what he knew and patient with those of us still finding our way, and there are so many questions I never got the chance to ask. What he did teach me I will hold onto, and I will do my best to pass it forward to others whenever the opportunity comes. I think that would please him more than anything.

Brother Phil left things better than he found them, and he left a great many of us better as well. May his memory bring you comfort in the days ahead.

With deepest sympathy,
Dan, Sanja, Luka, and Marko

A great Friend and Brother, Wonderful Family, Caring and Hard Working Man.  He will be missed on earth.  We will cary on without him because we must but it will be a little harder without him to help.  Thank you my Friend and Brother, you did Good and I hope to see you again on the other side.

this is a bottle of liquor that Phil brought to my home several months ago because it was made by a mason. in Holland.  What a lovely and thoughtful gesture by a great guy.

Phil was a wonderful friend, Brother, and Mentor who I will miss very much. God Bless Phil and his family.

OBITUARY

Philip B. Brooks

October 27, 1962 – August 22, 2026

Show your support

Add a Memory

Share Obituary

Get Reminders

Services

A Memorial Service

Past Services

Masonic Service