Marion Murphy Brooke

BROOKE -

Marion Murphy Brooke, 94, a third generation Atlantan and a founding scientist of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), died on March 13, 2008. Dr. Brooke was a graduate of Emory University (BA, MA) and Johns Hopkins University (ScD). While at Hopkins, he met and married the late Marian Dobler Brooke, who shared his life for 59 years. Continually a teacher, he taught the required course in parasitology at Emory University's School of Medicine for over 30 years and taught biology or parasitology at Johns Hopkins, Emory at Oxford, University of Tennessee Medical School, and the CDC. Returning to Atlanta during World War II, Dr. Brooke was commissioned as an officer of the U.S. Public Health Service (USPHS) and joined the Malaria Control in War Areas (MCWA), the predecessor of the CDC. With coworkers he established, at the corner of Baker and Peachtree Streets, the first diagnostic and training laboratory of the CDC. Their mission was to train laboratory personnel to diagnose exotic parasitic diseases in returning military men and women. Later, he became the Chief of the Laboratory Consultation and Development Section of CDC and served as chairman of a multidisciplinary advisory committee to the Professional Examination Services (PES). The committee and PES developed a task-oriented proficiency examination to assess the competency of medical laboratory technologists who had learned their skills on the job. The U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare gave the examination to over 50,000 individuals throughout the nation. Continuing this work, he helped direct the CDC Laboratory Improvement program. Laboratory courses and consultation were given in Atlanta and throughout the nation. He co-directed a cooperative doctoral degree program offered by the University of North Carolina (Chapel Hill) and CDC. He also directed the CDC post-doctoral degree program in Public and Medical Microbiology. While at CDC or on field assignments in foreign countries (Costa Rica, Iran, Korea and Zambia), Dr. Brooke engaged in laboratory and field research and consultation. He worked with the World Health Organization, Pan American Health Organization and the U.S. Agency of International Development. He served as a member and officer of national and international organizations; as well, he authored or with coworkers produced over 100 scientific articles and educational materials. In 1984, Dr. Brooke retired from CDC with 40 years of government service. Earlier he had retired as a commissioned officer of the USPHS, with the rank of Scientist Director-Captain (Navy). In 1965 the U.S. Public Health Service honored Dr. Brooke with the Meritorious Service Award for "his outstanding leadership in the improvement of public health laboratory service through out the nation." He received the Leadership Award of the Conference of the Public Health Laboratory Directors, the Outstanding U.S. Graduate Award in Science/Research of Johns Hopkins University School of Public Health, and the Professional Recognition Award of the American Board of Medical Microbiology. After retirement Dr. Brooke pursued his love of portrait painting. He exhibited in several juried shows and became a Juried Member of the Portrait Society of Atlanta. He was particularly pleased to paint the posthumous portrait of his mother, a founder of the Camp Fire Boys and Girls organization in Atlanta. This portrait continues to hang in the organization's lobby. Locally, he was also active in the Glenn Memorial United Methodist Church, Druid Hills Kiwanis Club, Life Enrichment Services, and was a director of Camp Fire in Atlanta. Marion Brooke is survived by his son, Thomas Russell Brooke, II, two daughters, Martha Louise Brooke and Barbara Brooke; three grandchildren, Heather Brooke Harris, Jessica Brooke Anderson and David Brooke Anderson; cousins, nieces and nephews. A memorial service will take place Saturday, April 5th, at 3:00 pm at Glenn Memorial UM Church, 1660 North Decatur Road, N.E., Atlanta, GA 30307, with a reception to follow in the church Fellowship Hall. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Camp Fire USA Georgia Council, 3026 Falls Road, Toccoa, GA 30577 or Glenn Memorial UM Church. A more inclusive obituary and pictures are available at www.mmbrooke.thelistenmission.com.