TILFORD BROOKS, PH.D
Dr. Brooks was born in East St. Louis, Illinois on June 13, 1925. He is married to
Ethelyn Brooks and their anniversary is January 30, 1955. He is a member of St. Peter's A.M.E.
Church, where the Pastor is Cheveynne Jones. Dr. Brooks is responsible, dependable,
conscientious, cooperative, efficient and competent.
The Brooks are the parents of Gerry Lynn Brooks Handy, Denise Lynette Brooks and Tracey
Leslie Brooks. Gerry is a chemical engineer with Anheuser-Busch in St. Louis; and Tracey
is in her senior year at the University of Missouri-St. Louis, majoring in Computer
Science.
"As a Black man in the Christian society, I feel that whatever talents and growth
I have achieved and possess, are a direct result of God's intervention.
"I feel my personal achievements are several. I served as a fighter pilot during
World War II, flying the P-47 fighter plane; receiving the Ed.D degree from Washington University in 1972, only the second black
at that time to receive a doctorate in music; and serving as department chairman at
Washington University for 8-1/2 years, the first black in the music department.
"My occupation is serving as teacher of musical education at both the college and
public school levels. I like the interaction between myself and teachers who are in the
field. I am presently employed by the St. Louis public schools.
"I have memberships in the Music Educators National Conference; Missouri Music
Educators Association; National Black Music Caucus; St. Louis Blues Club; Young Audiences,
Inc. (advisory board); Missouri Metro District Music Educators.
"My hobbies are: following sports and home decoration. I enjoy CBS Football, THE
COSBY SHOW and SIXTY MINUTES.
"My favorite book is "The Invisible Man" by Ralph Ellison. it describes
the plight of the black man in American society, describing how he is ignored in regard to
the problems he must confront, because of a lack of visibility in this society.
"An instance of discrimination occurred in this manner: As a black airman in World
War II, traveling from Tuskegee, Alabama to St. Louis, Missouri, I had to change trains in
Montgomery, Alabama. A soup canteen operated by the Red Cross, had separate areas for
feeding black servicemen and white servicemen. Since I could not eat in an integrated
setting, I refused to eat at all.
"As childhood punishment, my dad spanked me only once that I can remember. I had
acquired the habit of saying 'Shoot' to display my anger in having to do a chore that I
did not relish. My dad warned me that he would not tolerate such behavior. On doing it
again, he spanked me for doing so.
"My family and I live in St. Louis City. I am confident that the City of St. Louis
is in the process of having a rebirth. So many exciting projects are in the process of
coming to fruition."
TILFORD BROOKS
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