Celebrating Ernie Brooks II

Whatever we lose (like a you or a me), 
It's always ourselves we find in the sea.
- E. E. Cummings

Ernie Brooks II passed away peacefully this past Wednesday, November 17, at his home in Washington. An explorer, artist, diver, photographer, environmentalist, father, husband, philanthropist, humanitarian, and a true educator to his core, Ernie spent his 85 well-lived years dedicated to making a difference for others, for our oceans, and for our planet. The joy he found in sharing his craft of capturing the shimmering silver wonder beneath the waves and in the clouds above, was only exceeded by the size of his heart and the hope that he held in his students and in the power of education to transform the world.  
 
Question: 
Why does a person give his greatest financial possession, a stunning property on the Riviera, to a school he's never attended and only known from a distance? 
 
Answer:
Simply - because he knew that his calling and life's work has always been the same as the mission of SBMS; to learn and to serve. We have real work to do to honor his legacy; work that we will continue to do and have been chosen to do.  We have never needed more Ernies, Mike de Gruys, inspiring teachers, artists, earnest students and difference-makers than we need today. Ernie's greatest gift isn't the overwhelmingly altruistic and unparalleled gift of this beautiful campus to SBMS, it's the example of his life's story and the generosity of his heart.
 
 
Our hearts go out to his family and all the people Ernie reached in his life.  
 
With hope, love, gratitude for Ernie always, 
Brian


    • The Brooks Innovation Lab Dedication

    • Teen Press interviewing Ernie about the Jefferson Campus

    • Ernie and Pat looking out to the Islands from the SBMS campus

Santa Barbara Middle School cultivates in our students passion for life and life-long learning, a deep sense of trust in themselves, strength and courage to succeed at life's challenges, and compassion and respect for others.
Santa Barbara Middle School ● 1321 Alameda Padre Serra ● Santa Barbara, CA 93103
Tel: 805-682-2989 ● office@sbms.org