Brooke Denby Roberts, 91, of Lakeland, Florida, peacefully entered into eternal rest on July 25, 2026, at the Good Shepherd Hospice House.
Born in Boston, Massachusetts, on April 18, 1935, Brooke was a man of unwavering integrity, quiet strength, and lifelong service to his country and community. He graduated from Camden Military Academy in 1954 before attending The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina. Upon earning his Bachelor of Science in Commerce in 1958, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Air Force.
In November 1958, Brooke married the love of his life, Marsha Anne Hooton of Rhode Island, beginning a devoted marriage that would span nearly seven decades.
Brooke entered active duty with the United States Air Force in December 1958. After completing Navigation School in Harlingen, Texas, and at Mather Air Force Base in Sacramento, California, followed by B-47 upgrade training at McConnell Air Force Base in Wichita, Kansas, he was assigned to the Strategic Air Command’s 40th Bomb Wing in Topeka, Kansas. There, he proudly served as a navigator/bombardier on the Lead Combat Crew of a B-47 bomber.
In 1964, Brooke began a distinguished career with the Federal Bureau of Investigation. His service took him to assignments in Atlanta and Tampa before joining the Lakeland Resident Agency. From 1970 until his retirement from the FBI in 1986, he faithfully served as Senior Resident Agent, earning the respect of colleagues and the community alike.
Following his FBI career, Brooke continued to serve in the private sector as Security Manager for NCNB, NationsBank, and later Bank of America until 1996. He then worked as an investigator with the Tampa law firm of James, Hoyer, Newcomer & Smiljanich, P.A., where he remained until his full retirement in 2003.
Beyond his professional accomplishments, Brooke dedicated countless hours to serving others. His commitment to the Lakeland community was evident through his volunteer work with the Boy Scouts of America, the Lakeland High School Band Parents Association (where he served as president), Read Lakeland, All Saints’ Episcopal Church (including service on the Vestry and as Senior Warden), the Polk County Sheriff’s Advisory Council, and the Senior vs. Crime program with the Polk County Sheriff’s Office. His life was marked by a genuine desire to strengthen the community he loved.
Brooke was preceded in death by his parents, George Philbrick Roberts and Bernice Lonergan Roberts, and by his sister, Cecily Duvekot.
He leaves behind his beloved wife, Marsha Roberts; his brother, Craig (Cathy) Roberts; his three children, Kent (Heidi) Roberts, Gregg (Virginia) Roberts, and Heather (Kyle) Williamson; five cherished granddaughters, Hannah, Mary, Kristina, Sarah, and Julia; and four treasured great-grandchildren, Grady, Brooks, Denby, and Noah. He also leaves many extended family members, friends, and former colleagues who will remember him with deep affection and gratitude.
A Memorial Service celebrating Brooke’s life will be held at Heath Funeral Chapel, 328 South Ingraham Avenue, Lakeland, Florida, on Saturday, September 5, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. A reception will immediately follow the service.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Polk Sheriff’s Charities, Inc., in honor of Brooke’s lifelong commitment to serving others. (For those wishing to donate, please include Brooke’s name on the memo line in your donation).
Condolences may be sent to the family at: www.heathfuneralchapel.com