B.V. Brooks ’47
B.V. Brooks ’47 of Westport, Connecticut, died of a heart attack while traveling on a cruise to Mexico. “Dexter” grew up in Southport, Connecticut, and attended Deerfield Academy. His college career was interrupted by three years in the Merchant Marines in officer training at Kings Point, New York, and sea duty aboard four ships. He returned to major in psychology, play squash and tennis, sing in the Glee Club and write for The Dartmouth. He graduated Phi Beta Kappa and summa cum laude and from Tuck School with distinction in 1949. After several positions in banking and finance, in 1962 he joined his father’s real estate firm Brooks, Torrey and Scott Inc., where he became president. In 1964 the firm started the Westport News and later Darien News and Greenwich News as Brooks Community Newspapers. The group was sold in 2000 to enable the family to enjoy boating and travel. Dexter backed two successful Broadway shows, Hairspray and The Producers. His civic activities included serving as a trustee for the University of Bridgeport (1991-2006), trustee for Norwalk Hospital (1998-2006), trustee for the American Institute for Economic Research (1997-2004), trustee for the Media Research Center (2003-06) and senior member of the National Association of Review Appraisers (1986-2006). In retirement, he found a love for the creation of crossword puzzles. He served as treasurer of the local Dartmouth club (1977-81) and on the class executive committee (1987-97). He is survived by his wife and five children, including Torrey ’76, Scott ’79 and Wendy Harris ’81.
