I (Steve Brooks) have enjoyed sharing a glimpse of the Brooks Legacy here on our blog recently, and this week I want to highlight my own father, Beach Alexander Brooks M.D. His decision to move to Winter Haven established a continued legacy here in the Polk County area and set a precedent that my brother, Beach A. Brooks Jr., my nephew, Beach A. Brooks III and I are proud to carry on today. This post is to pay homage to his life, service to our country and community, and dedication to quality medical care for each patient he saw in his long career.
Early Career and Life
Beach Alexander Brooks Sr. was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee on January 14, 1927. He was welcomed by his parents Dr. and Mrs. J. Culpeppper Brooks, Sr. who were well-established in the local community. They provided their son with a quality education during his grade school years, and he eventually chose to follow his ancestors into the medical field. His grandfather, Dr. John Rathmell was a practicing doctor, and his great-grandfather, Dr. John Beach, was a Civil War surgeon and Surgeon General of the State of Ohio.
Following his graduation from McCallie School in Chattanooga, Dad attended Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennesee, and then went on to attend Temple Medical School – now known as Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University – in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Once he completed his schooling, the new Dr. Brooks interned at Erlanger Hospital in Chattanooga, followed by a 3-year internal medicine residency at Charity Hospital in New Orleans, Louisiana.
During World War II, Dr. Beach A. Brooks served our country in the Army Specialized Training Program (ASTP). He married his beloved wife, Nancy Keener, in 1952. The two wed in St. Petersburg and then happily welcomed 4 children in the subsequent years.
Welcome to Winter Haven
In 1958, the young Brooks family made the move to Winter Haven, Florida. My father became the first Board Certified Internist in the city, and upon first arriving he practiced at the Bond Clinic. Eventually, he joined Dr. Art Moseley and Dr. George Graf in the formation of Internal Medicine Associates. Eventually, more physicians came on, including Dr. Alan Gasner, Dr. Randall Kramer, and Dr. Y.T. By the time Dr. Brooks retired, IMA (Internal Medicine Associates) was practicing under the Gessler Clinic.
Dad stood firmly on providing the best care for each patient who walked through the door. He was compassionate, kind, and appreciated for his knowledge and experience in his field.
Serving his Community
During his years in Winter Haven, Dr. Brooks participated in a wide variety of opportunities to serve the community. Over the years, he served:
- as Chairman of the Board of Polk County Medical Association
- as Chief of Staff and board member (Board of Directors) at Winter Haven Hospital
- as president of Polk County Heart Association
- as a fellow of the American College of Chest Physicians
- as Medical Director of the State Farm Regional Florida Office for 30 years
- as the team physician for the Red Sox during Spring training each year
- as a member of The Winter Haven Rotary Club for 40 years (participating as both board member and President at different times)
- as a Paul Harris Fellow
- as a board member of the Friends of Winter Haven Library Board
- as a member of the Community Foundation of Winter Haven Committee
- as a charter member of the Lake Region Yacht and Country Club
In addition to the basic duties that came with these service positions, my father also gave back in ways that directly impacted the people of Winter Haven. For example, as part of The Rotary Club, he distributed dictionaries to every 5th-grader in the Winter Haven area.
Dad was a committed member of Covenant Presbyterian Church and during his years there served as a Sunday school teacher, a deacon, and an elder.
His Continued Legacy
We hope to carry on the legacy of my father with our service to the community through Brooks Law Group.
My father passed away on July 9th, 2008 after a long but courageous battle with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease). He was 81 years old. His exemplary life and dedication to his family, his career, and his community are instilled in me and each of my siblings. The continued legacy of Dr. Beach A. Brooks lives on today.
Brooks Law Group stands firm on the legacy of giving back to the community and providing service that is accessible and can be trusted by everyone. We’re proud to offer legal services based on a contingency fee, so victims never have to go without legal help because they fear they can’t afford it. Our team is passionate about serving the people around us, and we strive to continue the example of giving back through events like our annual Turkey Giveaway and our yearly college scholarship for eligible high school graduates.
I’m thankful for the legacy my father and grandfather left behind, and I hope I continue to honor them both through my service here in the Winter Haven community and beyond.
If you need legal assistance, our team is here for you. Call us for a free consultation to discuss your needs, your case, and how we can help. When you or a loved one is injured in an accident, you can always Look to Brooks.
