Mr. Brooks was born on June 21, 1932 in Rochester to Gerald M. and Dulcia (Hullock) Brooks. He was a 1950 graduate of West High School in Rochester and later earned his Bachelor’s of Arts in Architecture from Cornell University and received some graduate credit at Columbia University. Galen served in the United States Air Force as a flight navigator from 1956-1959; which included two years in Japan where he developed a love for the culture and a love for Kyoto City.
Galen devoted his career as a teacher in Academic Architecture. He began his career in the early 1960’s at the University of Cincinnati in Ohio. Eventually he relocated back to his New York roots where he worked at Syracuse University and later became the curator for the Western New York Historical Collection at Hinkle Library with Alfred State College. Galen also worked as an Historical Preservation Architect for the National Trust for Historic Preservation in Washington, DC.
Galen is survived by a nephew, Todd (Jennifer) Liebert of Macedon; two nieces, Cindy (Al) Tyo of Ontario and Wendy (Bryan) Stratskey of Stillwater, Pa.; a cousin, Donald (Mary Ann) Brooks of Pavillion; and two long-time special friends, Timothy Bancroft of Wellsville and Mark Holt of Andover.
In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by a sister and brother-in-law, Dulcia “Jean” and Arthur E. “Fritz” Liebert.
Galen was a visionary and a conversationalist. He had a keen mind and the ability to talk in detail across a broad and diverse range of topics. He had a love for history, especially as it relates to the preservation of historic architecture. He served on the Historic Press Preservation Board in Cincinnati, Ohio, the Allegany County Historical Society as well as the Andover Historical Society, where he was Past President. It was in these capacities that he was able to secure many preservation grants. Galen inspired many in the Alfred community to devote time and resources to the historical preservation of Alfred Seventh Day Baptist sanctuary.
Galen was also a free spirit. His faith journey included the Presbyterian Church, the Universalist Church and the Episcopal Church, all in Rochester; the Seventh Day Baptist Church and the Falling Leaf Sangha, both in Alfred; the Hornell-Alfred Unitarian Universalist Society; and Andover’s First Presbyterian Church.
Additionally, Galen was very civic minded. He was an elected representative for the Allegany County Democratic Committee and served as an election inspector.
There will be no prior visitation. The memorial service with full military honors will be held on Monday (May 5) at 11:00 a.m. at Baker-Swan Funeral Home in Andover with Rev. Patricia A. Bancroft, a Seventh Day Baptist pastor. Burial will follow in Mount Hope Cemetery in Rochester. Online condolences may be offered at www.baker-swan.com.
Memorial contributions in Galen’s name may be made to University Church-Alfred, Church Historic Preservation Fund, 5 Church Street, Alfred, NY 14802 or the Andover Historical Society, 11 E. Greenwood Street, Andover, NY 14806. © 2025 Baker-Swan Funeral Home.
